Forced Connections:

The very meaning of forced connections is to combine two items that are of no relation whatsoever. When combined, these two items should come together to form something of greater value or use to the community. They should have chemistry and should also make sense when put together. 

Take for example, a pair of Roller Skates, they are a combination of a pair of shoes and wheels of 2s or 4s. When combined, they form a contraption that is able to provide a form of transportation or enjoyment to the user. One very popular method to create something new with the mixture of two completely unrelated items is to use SCAMPER. This method is especially useful to designers. 

SCAMPER stands for:
Substitue,
Combine,
Adapt, 
Modify,
Put to other uses,
Eliminate,
Rearrange. 


Photo by Author 






To Substitute is to take the original item but replacing it with something of similar characteristics or of something completely different to the original but able to carry out the function of the original. 

The Combination of two or more items to come up with something of even greater capacity that has a certain type of use to the community. The items can be of similar characteristics or two completely unrelated items.

The ability to Adapt to something or to a situation is a very valuable skill in the society. For example, if your new invention proves to be difficult to accomplish, you look around it. Look for a different way to solve the mechanical problem instead of changing the idea itself. 

To Modify your creation or idea may seem impossible to many of us at the first glance. But as designers I feel that we should have a more flexible mind at hand, learn to twist the solid solution into many different dimensions and you will come to realise that everything has more then one solution to every problem present. 

When your design or idea is Put To Other Uses, you are able to come up with different scenarios to put your creation in. Is your design able to be used in other functions etc. 

Eliminating unnecessary parts of the design may help you when it comes to the production of it. Also, it may help to improve the design itself, sometimes simplicity is more important. 

Look for the chance to Rearrange something original. Many a times, we do not see it on the first glance but rearrangement can cause something mundane to change into something completely different and of more interesting stature. 

To allow a better understanding of what it is, the following are some examples of Forced Connections:

With the combination of a pair of shoes and wheels, you get a pair of roller blades.
Note` Transportation & Enjoyment

http://www.vectordiary.com/isd_tutorials/054-roller-blades/image-41.jpg

Combination of a pair of shoes and blades, this gets you a pair of ice skates.
Note` Transportation & Efficiency 

http://cdn1.bostonmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/skating_main.jpg

This has the composition of Glass and Metal, it creates a portable piece of technology, a laptop.
Note` Efficiency & Convenience 

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/DPKk3WL_vTY/maxresdefault.jpg

Putting together Glass, Metal and Plastics you get a mobile small and light enough to be transported around wherever you go. 
Note` Efficiency, Communication & Enjoyment 

http://static.tumblr.com

This has a combination of two items, a speaker and wires, creating a "earpiece". 
Note` Enjoyment & Convenience 

https://static1.squarespace.com

Combining the concept of a bag, box and wheels, you get a "luggage". Not only does it act like a carrier but also keeps your items inside safe from any potential damage. 
Note` Convenience & Ease 



https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e7/09/7b/e7097b5bbceb65148823a1087138df3e.jpg

The combination of Plastics, Wood, Metals and Wheels give you the creation of a Skateboard. Very much similar to a pair of roller blades. 
Note` Transportation & Enjoyment 

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/24/bf/59/24bf59733a2e2b6c64ad081554264c13.jpg

An umbrella is made up of fabrics/plastics, metals & woods. This invention has come to be very useful to people. 
Note` Efficiency & Convenience 

http://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr

This has a combination of leather, glass and metals. Putting time into something definitively smaller than a clock to get a "portable clock", a watch. 

http://data.whicdn.com/images/82182231/large.jpg

Combining Rubber/Plastic with the concept of a shoe, you get a pair of flippers. Great for underwater sports. 
Note` Transportation & Enjoyment
http://sportsandfitnessparables.theblogpress.com/

The thought of Forced Connections bring many different ideas to mind. Most already invented and put into the market itself, but anything is possible if you think about it. There are no restrictions as to what you can or cannot combine into one item, what matters most is the rationale behind that particular choice of combination and how it can come to benefit the greater community.