H1N1 is a broken, but functioning, USB key attached to a rapid prototyped Stainless Steel ring. The rings form is developed from images of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, to act as a reminder to back up your data and beware of viruses.
The printing of stainless steel is a relatively new phenomenon on the shapeways website. I wanted to use the material to make an object that was precious, and quite complex, with the feel of an investment cast. The size of the USB key made a ring the obvious choice,and with the H1N1 virus such a topical subject, the metaphorical links between the subjects helped the design progress quite quickly.
Digital Files will be available from the downloads page, under the creative commons licence, after the show.
