Not currently on display at the V&A

Bowl from 'Input' range

Bowl Body and Cover
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In 1972 Airfix Plastics initiated a design programme which aimed to improve the image of plastics from cheap and disposable to high quality and desirable. The business approached Conran Associates, a design subsidiary of Habitat, to design a range of plastic products for the office or home.

The Input range was launched in May 1973 and designed by Conran Associates for Crayonne, a newly established division of Airfix. The range consisted of 21 'containers' including bowls, dishes, trays, bins, vases, pots and an ice bucket which were all made from heavy duty ABS plastic, selected for its strength and scratch and shatter resistance. Gift boxed to elevate their appeal, they were initially produced in four colours: red, yellow, green and white.

The containers were produced to be almost twice as thick as other ABS products through a particularly low rate injection moulding cycle. All the units in the range were based on the same diameter and height ratios to achieve an integrated appearance and were given identification numbers, rather than names. The Royal Free Hospital placed an order of the containers to be used as vases to bring colour and cheer to their wards.

The range won a Design Centre Award and featured in the exhibition British Design 1948–2012: Innovation in the Modern Age at the V&A in 2012.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Bowl
  • Cover
TitleBowl from 'Input' range (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Heavy-duty ABS resin containers.
Brief description
White 'Input' bowl and cover designed by Conran Associates for Crayonne, ABS plastic, 1970-1975
Physical description
Bowl from Input range. Heavy-duty ABS resin containers.
Dimensions
  • CIR c.110 1977 height: 16.7cm
  • CIR c.110 1977 diameter: 18cm
  • CIR c.110 a 1977 height: 3.4cm
  • CIR c.110 a 1977 diameter: 17.8cm
Object history
Historical significance: Winner of the Design Centre Award in 1974.
Summary
In 1972 Airfix Plastics initiated a design programme which aimed to improve the image of plastics from cheap and disposable to high quality and desirable. The business approached Conran Associates, a design subsidiary of Habitat, to design a range of plastic products for the office or home.

The Input range was launched in May 1973 and designed by Conran Associates for Crayonne, a newly established division of Airfix. The range consisted of 21 'containers' including bowls, dishes, trays, bins, vases, pots and an ice bucket which were all made from heavy duty ABS plastic, selected for its strength and scratch and shatter resistance. Gift boxed to elevate their appeal, they were initially produced in four colours: red, yellow, green and white.

The containers were produced to be almost twice as thick as other ABS products through a particularly low rate injection moulding cycle. All the units in the range were based on the same diameter and height ratios to achieve an integrated appearance and were given identification numbers, rather than names. The Royal Free Hospital placed an order of the containers to be used as vases to bring colour and cheer to their wards.

The range won a Design Centre Award and featured in the exhibition British Design 1948–2012: Innovation in the Modern Age at the V&A in 2012.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.110&A-1977

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSON