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Fraai's Favourite 01: Michael Bihain

Creative Columns 17

Duct-taping Tomorrow

When it comes to prototyping there is one inherent tool which never fails to attend the show. Its sticky, grey presence is a must have among creatives. A tool bag without duct tape is like a pink Hello Kitty-styled iPhone; it just isn’t right.

“It can’t show you the answer to life, the universe and everything.”

Duct tape is the answer when things are not meant to stick. You can rip it with your bare hands and lift almost a 1,000 kilograms with it when doubled onto over itself. Other popular home uses include silencing noisy little sisters, make annoying pets defy gravity and

waterproofing your house. However, be mindful of the amount of duct tape usage. If you get carried away, to the point where the prototype is 90% duct tape, you might want to consider another tool.

“…to the point where the prototype is 90% duct tape…”

On their own, designers’ hands are tools of creation. They can conjure a prototype out of most materials within their vicinity. By adding duct tape to the equation, possibilities become endless. Just present a designer with some duct tape, a couple of eggs and grandma’s cookie jar and prepare to be stunned. The end result will likely surprise more than just grandma.

These days I go nowhere without my trusted roll of tape. In combination with my other grey matter, it can fix almost anything.

But duct tape has its limitations. It can’t make someone fall in love with you (the word romance and duct tape tend to collide). It can’t show you the answer to life, the universe and everything. Nor can it proof God exists.
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But who needs duct tape to provide the answers? I can just give them to you: “stop being a geek”, “42” and “no, only in your mind”.


Jan van der Asdonk

fraai's favourite

Michaël Bihain - Belgium

Interior & Furniture design