Task 3: Product Sketching

Task 5 - Video Reflection: Designing Dream Machines

An idea I strongly took from the men of Designing Dream Machines is that if it is not nature, it is design. This is very true in my eyes. Everything we see or touch that isn’t an organism has been at one point designed.

Things don't just happen spontaneously, as this video shows. Patience, time and dedication all combine to design a product that has the 'x' factor. Some things have a lack of character, so we as the designer we must turn everyday objects into modern machines, that have the 'x' factor of "wow, I want that" from the consumer.

another key point is that lots of aspects all contribute, however they all need to be even, for example the ergonomics and aesthetics of a product.

From the video, I want to definitely make looking at the personality of a product a necessity, giving life and a character into it. For former products, we want to extract the DNA of a product and bring it into the new.

The Goalscorer

When looking back in a time of my life that I remembered and treasured with fondness, I always think about my time playing soccer. In youth/junior games, it is a fun experience of team bonding, making friends and discovering an active lifestyle. Playing soccer is one of the best things I do, and many feel the same way – where it is an activity that they want to remember.

I have come up with The Goalscorer, a product that keeps track, and remembers all of a player’s soccer season, where at the end it creates a physical representation of this time. It is aimed at players from about 7 – 12 years old.

After doing research, I concluded that the average amount of soccer games played at this age is 16. This correlates well with the fact that a soccer ball is made of 32 hexagonal and pentagonal panels. I decided to make the shape of The Goalscorer a half-a-soccer-ball shape. This meant that the user can psychologically make up the rest of the ball, and also means the product can easily be placed on a table or hung on a wall. After multiple seasons, the soccer player can have one for each, and they can all stack next to each other.

The Goalscorer works where it originally comes as an ‘empty’ frame of a soccer ball. As players play a season, for each game they play, they put a panel onto the frame. For a win - gold, a draw – silver, and a loss – bronze. The placed panels then make up a finished looking soccer ball. These colours have been chosen as they are similar to trophy colours, so no matter if a soccer team has a bad season, it still looks like a trophy of the season at the end. If a player misses a game etc, the panel is left blank, representing they didn’t play. Overall at the end of the season, they have a product that is a visual representation of this, allowing them to easily treasure what they have achieved.

Furthermore, the individual panels can be engraved or written on, where the date, teams and score of a match can be placed, so that the memory is further enhanced. Teams could even sign a finished Goalscorer, so the individual player can remember them as well.

Treasuring time is very important, and The Goalscorer allows this to be achieved very easily, where the owner can look back at a season or time of there life at ease.

Task 4: Bad Design

Fire Hose and Reel Storage

In my college corridor’s floor there is a fire hose and fire reel. However it is not well noticeable as the cupboard fits in colourwise with the wall, disguising it.

It looks as if this cupboard is just a regular storage unit for brooms and mops etc, and in an emergency where a fire is involved, people would go right past it when searching for fire fighting equipment. This will result in lost time, further damage and possibly fatal injury.

The designer of the cupboard failed to give a solid impression to residents as to where the fire fighting equipment is. Also they failed to allow anyone to see the equipment without opening the cupboard first. People should not rely on the standard signs next to the handles and the small sign that sits high on the cupboard. Human error is forced, as they do not know where to look for the fire fighting equipment.

My suggestion of a safety-glass paneled cupboard will reduce human error by allowing the residents to easily see where the fire hose and fire wheel is when walking past when there is no danger. This will allow automatic reflexes to go straight to the cupboard that contains the equipment as they know it is there since it has been seen with their own eyes. The safety-glass feature of the glass will allow quicker access to the equipment without having to open the cupboard door in an emergency.

Someone retrieving the equipment will easily be able to kick or hit through the glass. Keeping the cupboard door system as well though means that maintenance and updates to the fire equipment can occur without needing to break the glass every time someone wants access to it. The signage can be kept the same, as it is out of the way and not obtrusive in the hallway, and still gives a good depiction of what is in the cupboard when combined with the glass front. Aesthetics wise, the colour of the cupboard will stay the same as the other walls, so as not to look too out of place, and to allow the actual fire equipment to stand out.

Project 2: Postal Presents - Cupable

Cupable

Cupable is a foldable cup, that can be easily stored, taken and used anywhere. The name Cupable comes from two key features of the product: it is a cup and it is foldable

As with all cups, Cupable holds liquid and provides an item that the user can easily drink out of. However, unlike all cups, the product can then fold flat after use and be stored away, either in the included storage sheet or wherever the user pleases, as the size of the cup becomes that of a credit card. Some ideas where Cupable can be placed are either on the shelf like a thin book, or tucked away in the pocket on the back of a seat.

Cupable is a fun to use product that brightens up a long car trip, picnic or camping holiday. It provides an enjoyable and interactive way to drink, as well as combining speed, efficiency and transportability.

Cupable cups can be shared with friends and family or others in general, with its interesting design and ideas a talking point with these people.

The interactive approach to using the cup, where the user needs to open it themselves first, brings a connection between them and their Cupable, where the user can feel that they have almost ‘made’ the cup. It is also a fun system to fold the cup down and put it away, with a sense neatness and efficiency.

Cupable is different to other cups as it can be flattened away and transported extremely easily, flat packed.

The two versions of Cupable is pre-made one, which comes ready and folded in the envelope ready for transportation. The other invites an even more user interactive approach where the recipient can put the cup together, using a Velcro system.

To open, the sides of Cupable are easily pushed out, forming a hexagonal shaped cup, and ready for use.

To fold back down, a quick squeeze is used where two living hinges push into the centre of the cup, while the rest folds on top. Cupable is then ready for storage.

The included storage sheet that comes with Cupable packages can be used in three ways: 1. in its original position where it can be slotted on a shelf or in the pouch on the back of a car seat etc 2. it can be hung on a hook using the inbuilt hole in the storage sheet. 3. The storage sheet can fold producing a supporting system for the cups, keeping them together when placed on the ground or table.

Cupable is aimed at those who love to travel, camp, go outdoors or generally love having a drink wherever! The product encompasses all ages, much like the activities mentioned.

Since those at home would rather have a proper cup or mug to drink from, Cupable is not intended for home use (although of course it could still be). It has a quick, disposable feel about it, relating to the outdoors – which is commonly associated with disposable cups. The difference however is that Cupable can be re-used, with stronger, sturdier materials used – polypropylene and thick plastic sheet. It also does not need to be carried around as a solid prism like a normal cup, but, as previously stated, flattened for easy storage in the pocket or bag etc.

A solid shaped cylinder has been used to provide an image of stability and sturdiness

Environmentally friendly materials have been used, including biodegradable plastic, so that if taken out camping or on a picnic etc and accidently left behind, it will not harm the environment.

A variety of colours have been used to aquire to the tastes of the large number of people included in the target market. It also brings in more user interaction where they can pick their favourite Cupable

Task 5: Video Reflection: Annie Leonard - 'The Story of Stuff'

The enormity to which what seems like such a small and straight forward process magnifies into what can be seen as a crisis is outrageous. From Annie Leonard’s video ‘The Story of Stuff’, it can be seen that we need to change the system that is in place at the moment, or else the message is clear – we will not survive. This is why we need to change the situation immediately. Even now, as Leonard points out, communities are dying.

Linear systems such as the one in place at the moment cannot go on for any longer. We just arrive at a dead end when we dispose of our products. Leonard’s reinforcement of the need for an alternative involving recycling and other processes is much needed, like the closed loop production she suggests.

I was shocked predominantly about two things: 1. The statistics of how much resources have been used already, and 2. That the problem we are facing today, our consumerism, was DESIGNED back in the late 50’s! This is astounding. We have designed a way to destroy the world for our own personal gain, our economy.

The underlying message that I take from Annie Leonard is clear, we need to change how we consume goods – fast. There are a variety of ways I can do this, including only buying recycled products, doing my best to stop the demolition of forests and natural environments, as well as the destruction of communities in the ‘third world’.

The current system is a disturbing image of our society, and we need it changed!

After watching and understanding Leonard’s video, I now have the chance to begin and be apart of something new and exciting in design, changing the current system into a new and healthier one.

Understanding the world around me, and not just things that are local to me, is vital for me to grow, and I understand that now, which will aid me in my future designs. Everything in design needs to be research and addressed

For my future projects, I will be wary of how every little thing affects just about the entire world, and I will incorporate sustainable design into my products, researching every material and process, so that there will be no unwanted side effects.

Following the video, I am quite disappointed at how I am following in the footsteps of designers who have helped turn the world into what it is now. Design should not be about money, but should be for the people and what they want and deserve. Through these designs, nothing should be taken, including resources, land and healthy air and water, but everything should be given, such as happiness and pleasure with a product.

Experience Enrichment: Solorex

Solorex

The product that I have conceptualised, researched and designed is a roll-on sunscreen applicator hand tool.



Solorex aids in protecting skin from unwanted burn caused by exposure to the sun. This is achieved through the use of a pump inside that when squeezed by the easy to hold grip buttons push sunscreen lotion through the top holes, lubricating the above surface. The sunscreen is then applied in the easiest way possible, merely sliding or wiping the applicator onto the wanted protection area

It is targeted at 25-35 year old successful business men, who are always busy and ‘on-the-run’, yet always want to look their best. They want to keep their ‘cool’ composure at all times when in the public, and do not generally want to be seen applying products to their face. Applying sunscreen can be seen as ‘childish’, and the target market wants to stay away from this ‘look’.
Solorex is designed to be subtle for the user, taking its looks from cologne bottles and male electric shavers, items that the target market regularly use. It also camouflages easily into the users clothing attire.



The applicator takes a mature look at sunscreen applicators, designed for adults. This takes the many current roll-on bottles that are focused at getting children to apply sunscreen by using bright colours and chunky bottles in a new direction towards adults. Solorex fits in with the target markets attire, meaning it does not attract unwanted ‘childish’ attention.



The differing shape, form and alternate use of materials of Solorex causes it to be an item of intrigue. The use of stainless steel gives it a manly, industrial look, allowing the user to feel like he is - a man. Black is a mysterious colour, and that helps cloak and alter a perception on what the product is. Solorex is designed to take away the embarrassing look of putting on sunscreen in public, and replace it with a sleek, covered and non-attention making action, meaning the user can continue with their ‘always manicured’ look at all times.



The shaver like system allows the user to pick up Solorex and automatically know what to do. As the target market would always maintain themselves, they all know how to use an electric shaver. As the applicator uses this principle, it is first nature to the user as to how to use Solorex. Another addition is since, shaving the face is a masculine task, the user again feels manly using Solorex, as he is using an action that associates itself as being successful, clean and manly.

Being a small discreet size allows Solorex to be taken anywhere, allowing sun protection whenever needed.

Solorex
The product that I have conceptualised, researched and designed is a roll-on sunscreen applicator hand tool.
Solorex aids in protecting skin from unwanted burn caused by exposure to the sun. This is achieved through the use of a pump inside that when squeezed by the easy to hold grip buttons push sunscreen lotion through the top holes, lubricating the above surface. The sunscreen is then applied in the easiest way possible, merely sliding or wiping the applicator onto the wanted protection area
It has been designed to
It is targeted at 25-35 year old successful business men, who are always busy and ‘on-the-run’, yet always want to look their best. They want to keep their ‘cool’ composure at all time when in the public, and do not generally want to be seen applying products to their face. Applying sunscreen can be seen as ‘childish’, and the target market wants to stay away from this ‘look’.
The Rolls-Protec is designed to be subtle for the user, taking its looks from cologne bottles and male electric shavers
Stainless steel
Black
Shaver like
Squeeze system
Small discreet size
Likeness to products familiar to target market

Video Reflection 5: Paul Bennett

Although the ‘big picture’ is always something to think about, in every sense of it whether it be a bill board made of pixels, a country made up of states etc, it is the small details that create and affect the overall end. As Paul Bennett says, we need to “reconcile the big with the small”, the small being the individual or the person.

Good ideas are always blatantly obvious, and its because sometimes we look too far ahead and too big, that we miss what is right in front of us. This is common with what a client expects for a product, however sometimes it is needed to, as Bennett tells us, “hold up a mirror in front of them, and say this is what’s really going on”.

Looking at the situation from the point of view of the person looking out, as opposed to the organisation looking in gives a whole lot of perspective on the little things that can be done/altered to make a difference, which can lead to a change in the overall product or project.
Design needs to have an ‘un-blinkered’ view, looking all the way to the edges to explore the never ending possibilities that can always come up. We use the world around us to create our own design solution and experiences, so an all over view is needed to extend these.

Another way to look at the smaller ‘picture’ of our projects is to plain not know, where we constantly put ourselves backwards, scraping our minds and looking at things afresh. This helps reframe the ordinary, putting ourselves in other people’s shoes, absorbing how they feel about situations and objects, and using that information in our own design solutions.

“Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win”

Video Reflection 4: Yves Behar

Yves Behar teaches us to think about how we can create a different relationship between our work and the world through our design. We bring value to a business, and in turn the users, where the values we put into products ultimately create the values that become a soul for a company, or the companies, that we work for.

As Behar says, “as designers, they want us to put pretty things outside of the box”, referring to our desire to reflect on ourselves as to what we want to see in a product.

When designing a product, we take the “nerdy, techy stuff out of it, and make as beautiful as we can. The value we put into products as the designer, ultimately creates the value. Passion is also a part of this, where great technology’s occur because of the passion of the designer.

Design helps break the ice, and get over the stigma that is present before it comes about. We keep in mind and work together on keeping the values of what we can do, where we can change the companies we work for, and “together, change the world”.

Taking technology and finding a use for it in a different way as it has previously been used, as well as maybe adding another functionality to it, adds to the idea that we constantly need to explore as a designer. This message reiterates for me, where I find from this knowledge that I want explore a lot more into the surroundings of the design profession.

From the video I have learnt to think about how we can create a different relationship between our work and the world, bringing value to the business AND the users
Behar brings me to be aware of the entire overall ‘package’ that comes with a design, e.g. the website for the product and the packaging. From this, we need to be able to attach the user to all of it.

As a designer, we do not have to just focus on the needs and wants of the product brief, but we can transfuse our own experiences and beliefs into it as well, adopting a more personal reflection to the consumer.

Part of design is to not just come up with a new product, but to also create a new experience from an existing one. Yves Behar’s ‘LeafLamp’ is an example of this, where he has created a new experience with light.

The 3D design, the ideas and the branding of a design all becomes deeply connected, where at the end of the day, they all create our values, something that I did not fully comprehend before viewing Yves Behar.

Task 3 Video Response: Ross Lovegrove

Design is an art form, one that it is influenced by the world around us and the different human reflections and intakes that we see. The way that an object ‘feels’ and reflects this to a user, recognises the connection that people should feel with their designs.

With a design, you let your surroundings influence the design, not the design influence the surroundings. Organic shape and form become funky. You don’t set out to design ‘funky’.

We, as industrial designers, are the ‘Translators of Technology’, bringing new materials and styles, shapes and forms to the rest of the world.


‘Fat Free’ design is a saying that suggests a lot to me about design, as it demonstrates that objects do not need to have lots of added parts, but only what is needed. It should be organic, and feel natural in its environment, and not clunky, as demonstrated by Ross Lovegrove and his coral inspired chair. The ideas to a design project need to be inspired by my surroundings, and developed then by me. Again, we are the ‘Translators of Technology’, travelling between products, materials and our surroundings.

The touch, soul and emotion of my product towards myself allow me to understand fully how I feel, as it is a representation of what I see around me.


We do not need to put things in a design to make it a certain personal element, such as ‘funky’. It will develop into this itself as long as the design has taken into account its organic state, its reflection on the influences of the designer and the inspiration for what it can become and influence itself.

I now also understand that design is not only ‘design’ as how we saw it last century, but it is now the 21st century art-form.

What are your major “take-home messages” from the video?
This video really made me think about giving personality to product.

What possibilities does the video suggest for your growth as an industrial designer?
This video makes me think about customization of products to suit particular personalitys and lifestyles. I.E. the Prada revamping.

How have your opinions about design changed as a result of the video?

as the video described, the environment is exttramental , not only in design, but in the way we will go about life. a closely related source, treehugger.com, the envrionment definitly impacts the 'who, what, when, how and why we design'

Jimmyjane created a smooth, clean and sensual form in their FORM 6 Massager, that takes it away from the ‘seedy and dirty other types’ that the product competes with. The Massager, as the name suggests, is a massager, but used in a way that makes it more commonly known as a ‘vibrator’.

The Form 6 Massager’s curvaceous contours allow it to be held in the hand ‘in anyway imaginable’, giving the massager a presence of freedom and a sensual personality. With the ‘different sized ends in all the right places’ design of the Form 6, customers will eagerly purchase it. With its ability to be used in a position of whatever the user prefers, a waterproof cover, minimal sound and with the stylish looks of a piece of art all encapsulated in the design, Jimmyjane’s Form 6 Massager is sure to reach its modern upper-class ‘adult’ audience with aplomb.

Line

There is no straight line, just all smooth flowing and rounded curvescurves, making it ‘an all round experience’

Shape

It is very rounded and long in proportion, with slight bends, magnifying the feminine shape, a target market of the Form 6 Massager

Pattern

The differing end sizes and minimal button scheme propose a simple and harmonic pattern to the user

Texture

A smooth finish, with no jagged or rough edges, create a pleasurable and smooth experience

Colour

A choice of ‘female’ colours, that that adhere to the overall sensual development of the product, considering highly the feminine views

Balance

Symmetrical going down its length, where it creates an even fullness to show its satisfaction to the audience it adheres

Rhythm

A slow steady rhythm that creates a ‘sexy’ experience

Harmony

Everything links as it is, it is rounded and coherent, where everything connects as one

Form

The smooth body is reminiscent of a stone, with the prolonged body pronounciating the human body and male features.

Task 1: Shape of a Scent

Development of the first model

The final "container": front view

The final “container”: rear view