Project Four refined design

Following our critique of the more advanced designs, we spent more time developing what we felt to be some of our strongest ideas.

 One of my best ideas, using a series of a repeated shape to create a design.

Alternating thickness and upright sides.

Project Four refined designs

After our initial designing, we combined different elements of some of our best designs to create a better concept for the final project.

 Combination folding and layering.

 Combination weaving and distressing.

 Combination shapes and layering

Combination shapes and layering/distressing/folding

Project Four

For the first stage of project four we experimented with "skins", or methods of manipulating paper to create distinct effects when light is shown through. Here is a sample of my initial attempts.

Using different shapes and designs.

Weaving paper through a larger frame.

 Layering levels of Bristol board.

 Taking away layers of Bristol board.

Textured through systematic folding.

Project Three Review

Project three involved understanding the concept behind a single word and how one can change the meaning and use of a word by modifying different elements such as location and appearance. The project was built on one chosen word; the students researched the definition and meaning of the word and began to experiment with presenting their word using different fonts and variations. The students created 20 variations of the word constrained within a six square inch grid to emphasize different aspects of the word in a variety of methods. 

Once the uses of the word had been explored, students built small-scale models of the letters to determine the best representation that they wanted. Following the models, the students constructed full-sized letters approximately three feet in height, using a variety of materials such as cardboard.

 The final part of the project involved placing the word in a variety of locations to emphasize the different aspects in creative and clear methods. To complete the project, the students organized the photos taken of the word on location into a book to highlight the creative aspects of their design.

Project three: final site locations

A selection of the final site locations for our project word.

Project three site possibilities

Our group brainstormed on several different possibilities for on-site locations to place our project word. During class, we chose one installation that we felt was an appropriate emphasis for the word.

 










Potential site location











Final initial location.

Project three: final construction

We spent a week of class time working on the construction of our final letters, cutting out, gluing, and painting. We chose to use negative space when construction the first three letters and positive letters for the last five, emphasizing the purpose of the word.











 Beginning stages of construction










 
Cutting out the letters

















 Painting process











Final construction

Project Three: full-sized model construction

Our group began constructing our full-sized project letters for our final project. We constructed three-foot letters from a 4x8 sheet of cardboard. This is the first stage of our final process.

Project Three: project construction

Pictures from the assembly stage for prototype model letters.

Project three: What language looks like

For project three, our group chose the word "displace" which is defined as follows:

dis·place/disˈplās/

Verb:	Take over the place, position, or role of (someone or something). Cause (something) to move from its proper or usual place.
Synonyms:	remove - shift - move - supersede - replace - dislocate

Project Two: final

Our final Make It Better product was a solidly constructed fly swatter with a comfort grip handle, a solid plastic shaft, and a smooth head. We added a metal frame that folds the head into a scoop to provide a clean fly disposal. 

The project was influential in helping me to understand the issues, difficulties, and
focus that goes into object design. What appears to be a poor design may in fact be
simply ineffectual, not designed to its potential. It is much easier to find the problems
with a design than it is to find ways of fixing the issues. Our group worked well together
in our decision making to determine what the focus of our new design should
be and everyone did their part in bring the project to a completion. Several times
during the project, I found myself unclear on what was expected of me and my group
for each classtime, a confusion shared by my group. However, I am satisfied in our
ability to overcome difficulty and determine what was expected of us.

Elisabeth Barnes

Examples from BDS 103

As we continue moving further in BDS 103, Drawing for Design, I am finding the different aspects of design drawing to be continually more interesting. The past two weeks have introduced the concept of orthogonal drawings, those that show a plan or different design aspects of an object such as a side or a cross-section.

 The plan, elevation (side), and cross-section of a water globe. The slight pencil lines show the relation of one view to the next.

















The plan and three elevation views of a book.

The plan and two elevations of an iPhone.

The plan and two elevations of a stapler.

Interviews round two

Once our initial prototype was complete, our group conducted another series of interviews, this time to determine what people liked or disliked about the improved design.

Interview One;

1: What is your impression of the design?

A: Definitely an improvement, more attractive and interesting.

2: Do you think this design is an improvement of the original?

A: Yes, especially with the addition of the scoop.

3: What is the best aspect of the new design?

A: The added scoop for disposal.

4: Is there an aspect that may need to be improved?

A: Perhaps the design could be safer, particularly if children will be using it.

Interview Two;

1: What is your impression of the design?

A: It is better

2: Do you think this design is an improvement of the original?

A: Yes, definitely. The appearance of the design is a significant improvement.

3: What is the best aspect of the new design?

A: Definitely the scoop

4: Is there an aspect that may need to be improved?

A: Perhaps if the shaft were made from Plexiglas, or a stronger material.

Interview Three;

1: What is your impression of the design?

A: Very nice

2: Do you think this design is an improvement of the original?

A: Yes

3: What is the best aspect of the new design?

A: The handle is more comfortable and makes gripping the fly swatter much easier.

4: Is there an aspect that may need to be improved?

A: The head of the fly swatter should have holes for an aerodynamic advantage.

Interview Four;

1: What is your impression of the design?

A: It looks better than most fly swatters

2: Do you think this design is an improvement of the original?

A: Yes, especially when it is compared to a normal fly swatter

3: What is the best aspect of the new design?

A: The scoop is the definite advantage

4: Is there an aspect that may need to be improved?

A: Maybe there should be holes in the top.

Interview Five;

1: What is your impression of the design?

A: The design is geared toward comfort

2: Do you think this design is an improvement of the original?

A: Yes

3: What is the best aspect of the new design?

A: The addition of the scoop makes the design much more multi-functional

4: Is there an aspect that may need to be improved?

A: The slits in the head

 From our interviews, we determined that the scoop and the more aesthetic aspects were what people considered to be the best additions to the new design. From this point, we focused on making the design more attractive by reducing the size of the scoop and more functional in it's performance. 

Elisabeth Barnes

Project 2: interviews.

After choosing our object to redesign, we interviewed a variety of different people to determine what the best changes for our design should be. I interviewed three people that I knew that spanned a range of ages, that owned houses, and that would be in a position to use a fly swatter.

Interview I:

Q: How often do you use a fly swatter?

A: On average, three times per week.

Q: Would you want the fly swatter to have the option to be more fun?

A: No, the current design is useful in it’s effectiveness.

Q: What is the most important change you think the fly swatter needs?

A: The handle is uncomfortable and doesn’t fit well in a hand. Also, due to vision difficulties, the end of the fly swatter should be wider.

Q: If there were additional options for the fly swatter, would you buy them?

A: No, probably not.

Q: Would you like to have the option of trapping the fly rather than swatting?

A: No, that would go against the main function of the swatter.

Q: Is there anything you like about the current design of the fly swatter?

A: The length of the current design is effective.

Q: How much would you pay for an improved design of the fly swatter?

A: $2.50

 

Interview II:

Q: How often do you use a fly swatter?

A: As often as needed.

Q: Would you want the fly swatter to have the option to be more fun?

A: No, not particularly.

Q: What is the most important change you think the fly swatter needs?

A: The end of the fly swatter should be bigger or wider.

Q: If there were additional options for the fly swatter, would you buy them?

A: Yes, if there was a counter that could keep track of how many flies are swatted.

Q: Would you like to have the option of trapping the fly rather than swatting?

A: Definitely not.

Q: Is there anything you like about the current design of the fly swatter?

A: The current design is functional.

Q: How much would you pay for an improved design of the fly swatter?

A: $5.00

 

Interview III:

Q: How often do you use a fly swatter?

A: On an infrequent basis

Q: Would you want the fly swatter to have the option to be more fun?

A: No, not especially

Q: What is the most important change you think the fly swatter needs?

A: The handle is uncomfortable and ineffective. The end could have a different design as well.

Q: If there were additional options for the fly swatter, would you buy them?

A: No.

Q: Would you like to have the option of trapping the fly rather than swatting?

A: Absolutely not.

Q: Is there anything you like about the current design of the fly swatter?

A: The flexibility of the current design is an effective aspect.

Q: How much would you pay for an improved design of the fly swatter?

A: $2.50