Makerspace Showcase: Inquiring & Analysing

Makerspace Showcase: Inquiring & Analysing

i) Explains and justifies the need for a solution to a problem

The purpose of this project is to develop a new skill of using the equipments in the design classroom - Which will be demonstrated in a short, 2-minute video that's going to be used to teach others' how to use the equipments.

ii) Constructs a research plan, which states and prioritizes the primary and secondary research needed to develop a solution to the problem independently

I am going to go through the list of materials and tools we have in our design class. And then, come down to a 3-4 projects mainly by considering the number of skills used, the interest, the amount of challenge, and the need. Afterwards, I will have a look on Instructables, youtube, and some google images on what other designs there are that I can learn from or take inspiration from.

iii) Analyses a group of similar products that inspire a solution to the problem

"Lie Down Reading Frame"

As I found out the I and some people like to read lying down, but it gets tiring when you hold the book up, and frustrating with the pages, but it would be harmful to hold it close. And this is a solution to it. It is a wooden frame structure that has a thin plastic book wrapper on top which allow the book on top to be viewable with its transparency. I actually had something like this as my project for my Makerspace ECA last year, which was the time I was still not yet familiar with woodworking. It was very fragile and I just tear it apart at last as it wasn’t going to work anymore (& for fun). I am planning to remake it with a side which would become a thin desk surface. I will also be adding more parts to support the structure in the desk angle and reading angle. I would also add a part on both sides like a thin shelf displaying inward. Kind of like in the image. However, I decided I would move the back shelf to the front of the other side in order for balance. I had some measurements from last year. More details when chosen.

Pro’s & Con’s

Pro's: Has a need, have an interest, a new idea

Con's: Not much skills required (only cutting thin wood and nailing and gluing and normal stapling), maybe sometime for a personal project because it is done before.

Bicycle Object Holders

For this one I am planning to make bicycle bottle-holders, and a smartphone-mount. I will use polymorph plastic to mold it into shape for the mounting part. I might use cardboard or probably polymorph too for the phone case. I might sew cloth to cover the polymorph to decorate and add colour. I would be useful and it can personalize my bike.

I got my idea from:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ipod-Touch-bicycle-mount/

Pro’s & Con’s

Pro's: Useful, new skill of polymorph, can have a range of designs to consider, personalising my bike, some need

Con's: Not “a lot” of skills and is quite easy, Not a very big interest

Board-game

I have made boardgames before and have a couple of ideas. I might improve on one or develop one. I would use 1) 3D printing (for figures), 2) Polymorph & 3) 3D pen for other pieces. I might paint or I can try use embroidery to add lines and colours and everything to form the board part of the game.

Pro’s & Con’s

Pro's: A bunch of new skills which would be useful and are challenging, big interest in making an interesting game, can gain ideas from peers

Con's: Long and complicated, Idea might be quite personal, not very clear idea

Rocking Chair

It is a little weird… I got the idea when I noticed a schoolmate sitting in between those two “columns / sticks” on the back and in the middle of the net. So I thought I might be interesting to make a chair based on that idea. It will be made using newspaper stixx, which is a skill to learn. It is basically a slanted, straight part with a tight cloth tightened to the newspaper stixx frame. Beneath that is basically a right triangle. But I have thought of taking out the angle part and make it round, that way, it is rockable. If I have remaining tme, I might learn how to sew patterns onto the piece of cloth and maybe stitch a pillow there for comfort. Cardboard will be simply laid over the newspaper stixx for better look. I will not be very big in order for the project to be achievable, for transporting, and for the space at home.

However, I would also be considering other rocking chair designs like the ones below

Pro’s & Con’s

Pro's: Interesting, inspiring, big interest, some need, challenging, (original, unique)

Con's: Not a lot of skills, though sewing would be a very new and hard experience but fun (I think), not a big need, not much space at home, time-consuming but possible

iv) Develops a design brief, which presents the analysis of relevant research.

What

I am going to make a chair with a capacity of 1 person and the width to carry 1 person. From the side, it looks like a right triangle with a big round corner. On the hypotenuse side there will be a big piece of cloth that is tightened to the side covering the whole surface which is for people to lie on. The main skill and medium I will be learning and using is newspaper stixx. And cardboard would probably be laid on top of the structure to make it look better and higher quality.

Why

I chose this idea because it is a new idea and original design. I am very interested in making the structure and make it functional. I also really look forward to seeing how the result would turn out. I also want to try making "furniture type" things, like last year's 3D project, but I never had the time, thus the chance, to make it with cardboard. This chair isn't necessary but it would have a use, which is for sitting, instead of just decoration. It will be challenging but I think it is a possible project. Newspaper stixx is an interesting and new skill which will not be very easy. I might also learn sewing if I have time, so, another skill.

Who

I am making it for myself and for my interest. But, of course, I hope for it to be strong enough so that my family gets to try it. I can have other people to try it too. At April, when the renting is done, I will perhaps put it in one of the classes, or rooms at school, not just for display, but maybe for everyone because then it will probably tear down very quickly.

How

I am going to use newspaper stixx... Questions:

1. How to use the newspaper stixx machine?
2. How to stitch / sew?
3. How to make a strong structure that can support a person?
4. What decorations and designs to put on the cardboard?
5. How to you tie or glue the stixx together?
6. What tools will I use to tighten the cloth to the sides?

Resources & Answers

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhxbTI80MMg: This one basically teaches you how you fold the newspaper, roll it, glue it, and use the newspaper stixx machine properly.
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhVQi5PZY-8 : This one provides some idea of how an intersection point can make a structure much stronger.
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMqK-fNrCrM / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2mfJweh8a0: These two teaches in detail how to stitch and sew, including how to tie the thread to the needle.
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEzQwG6JwcA: This one teaches how to tie two stixx together or in an angle.

Other Ideas I have considered:

http://www.instructables.com/id/3-in1-table/
This is a good idea, but woodworking was full before I decided anything yet. Also, I like an original design more, and I think I have worked with wood before. There is also no need for this (perhaps it can go with the CHAIR when I'm done. Just not very interested.