APPLICATION OF RICE AS A MATERIAL IN LIFESTYLE PRODUCT DESIGN

Abstract

This research aims to study the rice grains’ properties as they influence graphic and texture features for material selection, product transformation experiments, and product design. The procedures have been divided into three steps. Firstly, the literature has been reviewed about rice grains’ physical properties, utilities, and values. Secondly, the experiment of product transformation has been conducted. Finally, the design for a product prototype has been created. After the experiment, it was found that Thai jasmine rice no.105 is the most appropriate material for product transformation owing to its physical properties: long grains with obvious rice germ and an appropriate translucent level. Resin is the most suitable adhesive agent because of its strength, flexibility before being set, ability to mix with multicolor, and short production period. In terms of the technical process, forming the product can be done horizontally or in a bending form. Molding and design have been done through a computer program, which was a great assistance in arranging the rice grains into a designated form with standard acceptance. Not only did this process add the value to the rice, but it also introduced a new product to the market and created the most benefit from the by-product.