Natalya's Documentation Blog

While Angela primarily focused on the CAD model, my main contribution to this project revolved around suggesting materials for rendering our CAD model. We opted for a silicone material for the bottle dispenser and a clear rubber material for the suction cup used to put the dispenser on the wall. Malaine also proposed reinforcing the product’s functionality by incorporating a metal material into the hook for easier bottle opening.

Opening the Bottle Press Dispenser:

Inserting the Bottle Press Dispenser:

The rear-end of the Bottle Press Dispenser:

In addition to material selection, Malaine and I collaborated on creating the presentation slides and outlining our project. Overall, we were satisfied with our product, although we recognized the potential for improvement, particularly in finding a better solution to prevent liquids from spilling out of the bottle. Unfortunately, time limited our ability to implement this idea fully.

We believe our product has broader utility beyond solely catering to individuals with hand dexterity issues. For example, someone with a broken hand in a cast could still use our bottle press dispenser, and individuals with long nails struggling to open bottle caps might find it convenient. Moreover, our product’s aesthetic appeal could make it a nice household addition for anyone, regardless of their hand mobility. I am happy with our choice of product because it’s versatile and can serve a wide range of users, not just those with specific disabilities.

Emotional Impact Sketch for Arthritis

Emotional impact cardboard prototype for Arthritis

Liquid Funnel with Braille writing
Sketch:

Cardboard prototype:

Helmet to prevent seeing the light

I chose fabric as the material because I anticipated that wearing any other material while sleeping would be inconvenient.

I intended to place this on someone’s head, but it was challenging because I struggled to position it on this bed. I will attempt again next week.

I don’t have much to say regarding Marc Newson, I neither like or dislike him. While his portfolio is undoubtedly extensive and impressive, I find him to be quite humble. Although he has accomplished a lot, I don’t find him particularly interesting. However, I did find the discussion about the surfboard in his interview to be the most interesting part. In comparison, I found Dyson and Starck’s interviews more engaging because they delved deeper into the design process and the origins of their ideas.

I struggled to find a design that I truly liked. Ultimately, I selected this chair because of its futuristic and cool appearance, reminiscent of something that would appear in Star Wars. It appears to be quite comfortable, although I would have preferred it with armrests.

I dislike this dish rack because it’s marketed as convenient and portable, but it seems inconvenient unless you have only one cup. The design doesn’t seem practical to me, and while it’s compact, I’ve never seen one so small before.

I focused my efforts on constructing the eye cover for my prototype, considering it the most important component. I attempted to use the LA Sibyl’s recommendation to import a pre-existing 3D hat model for the base, although many of the models I found were not free, and making one from scratch posed significant challenges. Therefore, I plan to make another appointment with the LA for further improvements and to create the adjustable Helmet. 

Upon completion, I realized that the rectangular shape might not be the most practical choice for framing the model. Remembering that the eye cover needs to align with the hat’s brim, I’ve acknowledged the necessity for adjustment and ensure better alignment between the eye cover and the hat’s structure.

I think James Dyson and Philippe Starck have very contrasting approaches to design. Dyson’s philosophy embraces modesty, contrasting with Starck’s conceited style. Dyson sees himself as an artist, embracing a unique perspective that embraces failure as a stepping stone to improvement. This outlook inspires designers to be patient and humble, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and continuous refinement.

I was not too fond of the Dyson Zone headphones. The concept strikes me as impractical (it looks ridiculous too), I think headphones are already bulky enough, and adding more weight to them seems unnecessary. Personally, I find even my Apple headphones to be too heavy at times. Additionally, the assembly process seems overly complicated. When investing in technology like phones or headphones, most consumers prefer products that come ready to use out of the box. Watching the tutorial video, I noticed the influencer had to go through several steps to set up the device, which I can imagine being quite annoying for most people.

I like the Dyson hairdryer for its exceptional power. Although I haven’t made the purchase myself, I had the chance to try out a friend’s, and I was impressed by its strength. While there may be similar options at a lower price point, Dyson’s reputation and brand recognition likely play a significant role in its appeal to consumers.

Garret Morgan

Garrett Morgan stands as an inspirational innovator who overcame significant racial barriers to become a prolific inventor and entrepreneur. One of his most notable inventions was the development of the modern traffic signal, which improved road safety and traffic management. It introduced the concept of a three-position signal—stop, go, and an all-way stop position—to regulate the flow of cars and movement of traffic. Additionally, Morgan’s invention of the the modern gas mask, saved countless lives during emergencies such as fires and chemical spills. Overall I think Morgan’s range of creativity stretches beyond one category and encompasses a diverse range of inventions that collectively showcases his remarkable talent.

This week, I took the opportunity to refine my prototype from the previous iteration. Reflecting on last week’s attempt, I realized there was room for improvement, particularly in clarifying the functionality. In this version, I made the design so that the eye shield specifically covers the eyes, as opposed to last week’s where it covered my whole face. Additionally, I incorporated a handle feature, allowing the user to effortlessly transition between seeing and blocking light.

Front Angle:

Rear Angle:

Side Angle:

Final Product:

When exploring Philippe Starck’s website, his controversial reputation was not immediately evident to me. However, after watching “The Habits of a Creative Genius” featuring Stark, his personality and approach to design showed a glimpse of why he’s viewed as controversial. Starck’s straightforward and sometimes blunt demeanor, for example, when he said that his job is essentially useless in saving lives, can be off-putting to some. In an industry where designers often strive to cultivate emotional connections with consumers, Starck’s lack of sentimentality may create a disconnect. Despite this, I thought his interview was unexpectedly humorous due to his candid responses.

One of the designs that I had a particular interest in was the “…ET MARIE COQUINE ROSIT…” lamp, it’s indeed a fascinating piece. The lamp’s beautiful design and unique decor catch the eye, while the inclusion of wheels adds an intriguing element of functionality. The idea of a chandelier that can be moved around rather than being fixed in the center of a room speaks to Starck’s taste for combining aesthetics with practicality in unexpected ways.

Among Philippe Starck’s designs, the lemon squeezer is my least favorite. Its distinction from the typical kitchen lemon squeezers were very noticeable. After browsing through reviews, it became apparent that the product didn’t have much favor, and I tend to agree. It seems more like an product showcasing Starck’s versatility rather than genuinely addressing a practical need.

Starck’s approach to design is undeniably unique, characterized by a genuine transparency regarding his creative process. He doesn’t shy away from articulating the beginning of his ideas, his honesty about both the concept and the outcome is refreshing in an industry often saturated with image and presentation. This authenticity is a key aspect of his branding, setting him apart and earning admiration from those who value sincerity in design.

Process:

To begin the process of the helmet I first went to the LA Sybil for guidance on how to begin the model. I found it especially difficult to begin because my device is a helmet and it’s hard to make a helmet out of cardboard. She suggested that I use a hat as a base for the helmet. So I used one of my old hats and began cutting the brim off. The hat already had an adjustable strap which made it easier to bring my idea to light. I cut out a rectangular piece of cardboard and attached it to the hat. After that, I cut out a triangular piece of cardboard as the eye cover and attached it to the rectangular piece of cardboard I cut out. I attached the eye cover to the rectangular piece rather than the hat because I wanted the eye mask to be adjustable. I also cut out a piece of fabric and attached it to the cardboard. I did this because if someone puts on the helmet it hurts if there’s just a piece of cardboard there to block your eyes.

Time lapse:

Materials used:

Hot Glue Gun
Scissors
Fabric Scissors
Baseball cap
Cardboard
Fabric