Projects
Group Project | Design Studio | Year 3 | Semester 1
Fixperts
For the Fixperts Project, I began by identifying small opportunities where I could make a significant impact in someone’s daily life. I focused on creating an ingenious solution to a real, everyday problem faced by someone. After identifying a problem that, I spent time using design research methods to fully understand their needs and how best to address them. Following an iterative process, I built, tested, and analysed potential solutions, refining the design after each step.
CONCLUSION
Looking back on our time with anne, I felt a strong sense of achievement when me and sophie created a design she really liked. Seeing her happy with something made just for her and her husband was very rewarding. It showed me how important product design can be in making a difference in people’s lives. Working with people like Anne helps us turn their ideas into reality, which is fulfilling. Even though there are still some improvements to make, I’m proud of what we achieved in such a short time. Our concept feels different and unique, which inspires me to keep being creative. Overall, this experience strengthened my commitment to meaningful design.
Individual Project | Design Studio | Year 2 | Semester 2
Product Presentation
For my project, I selected the Meta Quest 2. Its sleek design and versatile functionality made it appealing to a broad audience, from tech enthusiasts to casual users. With its extensive range of immersive experiences, from gaming to productivity applications, the Meta Quest 2 embodied the cutting edge of virtual reality technology. By featuring it prominently on my poster, I aimed to draw attention to its innovative capabilities and showcase its potential to redefine how we engage with digital content.
CONCLUSION
I had never previously attempted to present my product like I did while using Affinity Publisher. The A1 page size made it challenging to fit everything I wanted in the frame when taking photographs. Deciding to choose this product was very educational, as I knew it would be different from other tech items like earphones. Capturing images of the VR headset, typically used indoors, felt professional and satisfying. Learning to composite the product presentations was also educational. There is a lot to know about size, margins, and the overall look of a page.
Individual Project | Design Visualisation | Year 2 | Semester 2
Product Rendering
During the sketching phase, I had to hand-sketch at least ten concepts of simple 3D geometric shapes in my sketch/layout pad. I had to incorporate both perspective and orthographic views, ensuring that the orthographic views were drawn to a 1:1 scale. Each concept had to feature at least two planar cuts. After that, I had to select one concept that resonated with my aesthetic preferences. Using the orthographic views, I had to construct a 1:1 scale model out of cardboard, transforming my concept into a tangible reality. I then had to employ photography and digital tools like Affinity Designer & Photo to create a product by using my model as a silhouette, drawing over it, and digitally detailing the model. Throughout the process, I had to prioritise exploration and experimentation.
CONCLUSION
My confidence grew as I produced more renders with Affinity Photo, though I felt I needed more practice to master it. I enjoyed my work and believed I had reached a commendable skill level. Understanding the software’s goals seemed crucial for long-term benefits. Compared to Affinity Designer, which I found more intuitive, Affinity Photo required more effort.
Creating a prototype helped visualise the model’s dimensions and incorporate features like a phone holder, lighting, a song display, a clock, and a digital photo frame. Experimenting with different speaker colours using Affinity was enjoyable, and I looked forward to applying these skills in future projects.
Group Project | Logitech in partnership with Product Design and Technology | Year 2 | Semester 2
Logitech Future Designs Challenge
Envisioning a “Future Design Studio,” the goal for this challenge was to create innovative hardware that fosters a dynamic, physical collaboration among designers in a shared space. This included the potential integration of software to enrich the collaborative experience. The challenge was to conceptualise tools that were not only cutting-edge but also practical and implementable within the next 5 to 10 years, blending the physical and digital realms to revolutionise the way designers work together.
CONCLUSION
Over the course of three days, our team worked tirelessly and cohesively to brainstorm ideas, sketch out concepts, and render a complete presentation. The dedication and collaboration from everyone involved were truly inspiring. Completing such a comprehensive project in such a short time frame was immensely rewarding. I felt a great sense of accomplishment and pride in what we achieved together. I would love to get involved in similar projects in the future, as this experience has shown me the power of teamwork and the ability to design quickly.
Individual Project | Product Design and Modelling | Year 2 | Semester 2
Stirling Engine
During a project using SolidWorks, I modelled a Stirling engine based on drawings. I learnt how to build the model, create detailed drawings, render, and animate the engine. This experience significantly enhanced my skills in 3D modelling, technical drawing, rendering, and animation.
Additional Work
Individual Project | Design Studio | Year 2 | Semester 2
Soft Goods
Throughout this project, I gained valuable insights into the design process for creating soft goods, which I used to craft a design solution for a cross-body bag. I was guided through each step of manufacturing a basic sewn cross-body bag. Towards the end of the project, I further developed this design to meet my own needs and created a process book that included research, ideation, and an assembly document.
CONCLUSION
The project described was a comprehensive learning experience, encompassing the use of a sewing machine, pattern creation with CAD software, and the development of an assembly document for a personal design. The initial task of constructing a cross-body bag provided a practical understanding of the assembly process. The concept of an expandable cross-body bag for travel necessitated in-depth research and was solidified through prototyping. Overall, this project served as an accelerated learning module, significantly enhancing my skill set.
Individual Project | Design Visualisation | Year 2 | Semester 2
Product Story Telling
For this project, I needed to identify a project with intriguing functionality and usability properties. Using Affinity Designer, I created the design with vector-based linework. Additionally, I had to find context that would effectively tell the product’s story.
CONCLUSION
This project marked my first experience with Affinity Designer, and as I explored its features and tools, my confidence grew. Initially, the steep learning curve and challenges like adding colour were daunting, but the software’s ability to create superior line work and eliminate errors common with physical paper was invaluable. I spent a significant amount of time adjusting my designs, which opened up many possibilities. Effective communication with my classmates was crucial, and their feedback during presentations and idea creation was invaluable. The iterative process of receiving feedback, making adjustments, and seeing the project evolve was incredibly rewarding, and I’m proud of the final result, looking forward to applying these learnings to future projects.
Group Project | Digital Modelling and Prototyping | Year 2 | Semester 1
CanSat
This project required me to showcase my design skills as part of a multidisciplinary team, using collaborative research methods to generate a list of functional design criteria. Together, we designed the housing for a CanSat module and developed a payload with a re-entry and landing system to ensure a consistent descent rate for accurate data collection.
CONCLUSION
The CanSat project review emphasises a positive collaborative experience with the aerospace team and satisfaction with the aesthetically pleasing design. Challenges in the printing process necessitated extra time for dimension adjustments using Blender. Functionally, the integration of electronic components and strategic sensor placement minimised signal interference, with a honeycomb structure housing the antenna to ensure clear data transmission.
Individual Project | Materials & Design Studio | Year 2 | Semester 1
Model Making
Individual Project | Materials & Design Studio | Year 2 | Semester 1
Industrial Design Database
This project involved selecting an existing product and redesigning it using a different material and manufacturing process while maintaining its original functionality. I chose the Swintex traffic cone.
CONCLUSION
Reflecting on the traffic cone project, it's clear that it was a journey of discovery and learning. The challenge of rethinking a seemingly simple object like a traffic cone led to a deeper understanding of its functionality and the importance of material selection. The Swintex traffic cone phase opened up new perspectives on design and functionality, leading to a unique and practical concept. The hands-on experience with clay modelling and the manufacturing process enriched the knowledge base, setting a solid foundation for future endeavours. This project was not just about redesigning an object; it was about growth, innovation, and the application of new skills and insights to future projects.
Individual Project | Digital Modelling and Prototyping | Year 2 | Semester 1
Brand Identity
For this project, I had to create a travel-sized shampoo bottle. I was able to select a brand of my choice. I have decided to pick Vivienne Westwood for the unique aesthetic it offers.
CONCLUSION
The project was a rewarding and enjoyable experience for me, as I got to design a creative and fun product. I had a clear vision of the features I wanted to include in my design, such as the most recognisable feature on the shampoo bottle. I chose a concept that was not too difficult to create in Blender but also reflected the brand identity well. I learnt how to create a chain using various tools in Blender, which enhanced my skills and knowledge of the software. However, I also faced some challenges during the 3D printing process. I realised that my design required many supports, which were hard to remove. I had to use heat and pliers to detach them, and I was worried that some parts might break. Despite this, I gained a lot from the project, such as how to design items in a certain theme and how to conduct research. Most importantly, I discovered many new tools and features in Blender that I can use for future projects.
Group Project | Design Studio | Year 1 | Semester 1
Chain Reaction
The goal of this project was to create a chain reaction where each component triggers the next, resulting in a continuous motion from start to finish. The project was confined to a 400mm x 400mm board, with no height restrictions.
CONCLUSION
Reflecting on the project, it's evident that strategic planning was a cornerstone of its success. The initial sketching phase laid the groundwork, but the real learning occurred during prototyping, where challenges were faced and overcome. Inspiration was drawn from various sources, leading to a rewarding process of creating a functional mechanism. However, not all was smooth sailing; some ideas couldn't be tested due to material constraints, like the magnet concept. A key takeaway was the importance of considering weight distribution early on, a lesson that will inform future projects and emphasise the value of detailed planning and foresight.
Create Your Own Website With Webador