Makerspace Showcase: Evaluating the Solution

Describe detailed and relevant testing methods, which generate accurate data, to measure the success of the solution.

To measure the success of the solution, I am going to compare my finished product with my design specifications and see if the product accomplishes the design specs. To test some of the design specs, I will need to ask someone to test my "lounge chair", and also ask for some feedback.

Explain the success of the solution against the design specifications.

I think I am not extremely successful, but it wasn't too bad.

The first thing that my design spec says is that it has to be made out of newspaper stixx (not counting the zip ties and top covering), which it was, but no entirely. Those two metal rods plays a big role in the whole support of the chair, and they were not newspaper stixx. Also, there was a very thick stick that I found, it was my classmate's experiment and it was layers of newspaper wrapped around a wood stick, which I used for the part that supports the bottom (body part).

The second thing says that it should be able to support at least 60 kg. My classmate who was almost 60 kg sat on it and it was able to hold him for almost a minute (before I asked him to get down). However, I am a little more than 40 kg and it was able to support me for at least 5 minutes. And a classmate of mine who was 35 kg sat on it for 15 minutes and it is still fine. Speaking of support, it leans to one side a little and if the longer you stay on the chair, the more it leans. (Although it seems to stop when it leans to an extent).

The third thing is that it should be durable enough to be used sometimes (30 mins each time 3 times a week) for at least four months. That means 4-5 minutes every day for four months. This hasn't been tested by I think it would need to be adjusted every time after being sit on since it tilt/leans afterwards.

The next spec says that it has to be rock-able. Although it seemed to rock fine when you get up and do it by hand, it's hard rock when you are sitting on it.

The fifth spec says it has to be comfortable. I think it does well here. The cardboard and thin cloth I added on top feels dry and cool. I thick the whole shape of the "lounge chair" is natural and fits the shape of a body well. My classmate sat on it a couple times and he said it was comfortable. I haven't ask some taller people to try it yet. But I think the main people this is for is perhaps the grade 5s or 6s (who are about the same size as me).

Covered by cardboard for better look was the next design spec. I did cover it with cardboard but the cardboard was for more for comfort and extra support (even though messy newspaper stixx probably looks worse). The white cloth gives it a better, cleaner, and more comfortable look. After all, I did put a cardboard and I did make it look better. So this design spec is accomplished.

The last design specification says it should be less than 140cm in length, 80cm in width, and 90cm in height. It didn't pass the limit so it fit this design spec.

Describe how the solution could be improved

I was really hoping that it could rock, but it was hard to get it rocking when you actually sit on it. So I think after adding more stixx at the bottom, I can attach on more large piece of cardboard on the bottom. I think that would make the bottom rounder instead of having a spiky bottom, so it should be easier to rock on.

If I were to make a new one, I would also roll more and tight (and thick) newspaper stixx. That way, I have strong newspaper stixx which I can put close together for more support.

Describe the impact of the solution on the client/target audience

The purpose of this unit/project was to showcase what we have in our design class. It was to let others know what we do in this class. Tell them what is available in this class, how to use them. Unfortunately, the possibilities here that are showcased is only newspaper stixx and how to put them together. However, this project is also to inspire others to make things. I think my project was a very big project, and I think it should inspire the younger grades how much can be achieved and what can be made in this class. This lounge chair will be left at school, and it is something that kids can actually see and try physically, and I think it will be something that kids will find interesting or cool and will be inspired.

I think that using newspaper stixx to make a chair is a good method and I would definitely recommend using a newspaper stixx machine to make a chair like this. I think this material is great because it can actually be really strong, and newspapers are things we have daily access to, so you can roll a lot of stixx and make a chair out of many newspaper stixx. It is even better if your family reads newspapers, now you can upcycle it in a pretty fun and interesting way. Newspaper stixx are also easy to roll, cut and put together (using zip ties), so the imagination and creativity can be turned into reality probably quicker and easier than other materials, such as wood or cardboard (not as strong). It doesn't require a lot of practice or high-level skills. However, it does train a person's patience and time as you are putting small pieces together. If people are working as a group then it's even better. It is because there are many parts in the process of rolling, cutting, and assembling the stixx that require people to discuss and work together. Everyone would have to understand the design and skills well enough, and work can easily be split and done separately, so it also makes a great group project. Therefore, I would recommend a Newspaper Stixx rolling machine for making a chair like this.

Makerspace Showcase: Creating the Solution

Makerspace Showcase: Creating the Solution

Demonstrate excellent technical skills when making the solution

 (I forgot to take a picture of my chair with the cloth on top and a fixed "head and neck rest".

Construct a logical plan, which outlines the efficient use of time and resources, sufficient for peers to be able to follow to create the solution

I had a set of measurements and a drawing on how long each stixx will be and how far they would be from each other. My design was to have two identical sides and a row of sticks connecting the sides and supporting the actual person.

1. I was going to roll a lot of newspaper stixx. I was going to make about 100.
2. I was going to cut every stick with a saw for both sides and mark them. Most of the measurements were paired up with another, so that I turn one stick into two, and roll less stixx.
3. Then, I was going to make the two sides first by precisely tying them together with zip ties.
4. And then, I was going to use the sticks that were not cut (which are mostly the same length) to connect the two sides together and make the top and bottom. That was also going to be done using zip ties.
5. Afterwards, I was going put a surface on top which was very likely to be cardboard. It was so that people will not be lying on thin hard stixx with gaps between each of them, and to spread the pressure a little.

Follow the plan to create the solution, which functions as intended and is presented appropriately
and
-explain changes made to the chosen design and the plan when making the solution.

1. I rolled about 70 newspaper stixx.
2. I started to cut them according to my measurements. I looked at the measurements, measured the correct length and cut it. Afterwards, I gave them a number according the their position in my list. (I turned most of the stixx into two). I only finished cutting the stixx for one side for this part. This is because I didn't have enough stixx, and it was time to start assembling the pieces.
3. I assembled the first side, and this part is basically just using zip ties to tie all the pieces / stixx together. I started with the part for the head because I marked the stixx from the front to the back. (The first few stixx I had someone hold them when I tied the zip ties diagonally for each interception, ending up with little crosses). I only had the back part (part for the legs) left before the main stick snapped. That stick connected the sections together. Since I was missing that part, I couldn't continue the leg part.
4. Then, I remembered that I collect two metal rods from an old laundry hanger that was going to be thrown away. So I brought them to school and replaced the original "main stick" with one of them. And then I finished that side. I thought it was great because the thickness of the rod is close to the newspaper stixx and it is really strong and hard to break.
5. Since I found out it took a lot of time referring to the measurements, cutting the stixx, and marking them, then sorting them out. I decided I would start with the metal rod and build the new side on top of the completed side (the completed side was strong and also rolled fine when I tried by hand). And I cut each stick and zip tie them immediately. Even if it sounds inefficient, it was actually a quicker process than cutting all the stixx and trying to find the right one. It was also easier and more convenient. For this side, I also used a plier to tighten the zip ties which was much easier and less painful than doing by hand. This part went much smoother and there wasn't much challenging about making this side since I had some experience with tying and cutting the newspaper stixx already.
6. In the middle of step 5, I actually had to roll more newspaper stixx because the ones left were poorly rolled and were not strong enough.
7. Afterwards, I picked the strongest newspaper stixx left and made the top of the "chair", which also connected the two sides and allowed it to balance on its own. For this part, I had to use long zip ties because there were three sticks for one intersection point. Most of the stixx were of the same length and I kept that approximate length. So I did not cut any stixx for this step. The stixx left were not the strongest ones, so I had to use more of them and put them closer than I expected for the bottom and back part. I didn't connect the bottom of the sides because I was out of stixx and running out of time. This made an unfixed distance on the base and made the chair tilt easily when people sat on it. Therefore, I added a cross brace for both the front and the back and at the bottom.
8. This part was when I added the cardboard on the top. The cardboard makes the chair more comfortable to lie on, spreads the pressure from the weight of a person, and also acts as stixx since it goes beyond the sides. I found a big cardboard box in the class and cut it out so it's not too wide and I left the end extended so not the feet can also be placed, not just the legs. Then, I poked holes with scissors so I could tie a zip tie around a small section of the cardboard and tie it to the stick available below. I did a couple of these throughout the cardboard so it is fixed and secured.
9. Then I added a piece of thin white cloth on top of the cardboard. That way it looks a better, and will perhaps feel better than just a piece of cardboard.

Makerspace Showcase: Developing Ideas

Design Specifications

• Made out of newspaper stixx
• Support: Can support at least 60 kg
• Durability: Used sometimes (30 mins each time 3 times a week) for at least 4 months
• Rock-able chair
• Comfortable
• Covered by cardboard for better look
• Maximum: 140(cm) long, 80(cm) wide, 90(cm) tall

Design Ideas:

Chair (1)

The diagrams show the main measurements and the 3D model gives a sense of what it looks like with the stixx as lines. This is for my original net-chair design, and I could go to the model in sketch-up and look at the measurements if I need to. It does have a lot of newspaper stixx, but it is the only way this kind of shape of "the purpose of the design" can sustain up to 60 kg. It is only the time to worry, I am sure there is enough newspaper for this in the staff's room.

Pro's: Original, strong structure with the intersections and triangles, interesting

Con's: Lots of newspaper (waste), time-consuming, very challenging, The cloth and the tying of cloth has to be very strong, and I need a large cloth

Chair (2)

The other chair is based on the one I found on the Internet. This one has 2 sides which are trapeziums but with round bottoms. Between the sides are 2 boards formed by newspapers. one is for sitting on, and one is for lying on (for the back). I will add a round bottom or a back to it for stability.

Pro's: It is more comfortable because it sits like an actual chair; It is not that long so it is space efficient; It might be a little more normal design (Pro & Con)

Con's: Still lots of newspaper; The board made from newspaper in between might be hard to support - The two sides can bend easily

Chair (3)

This is a more relaxing chair where you can actually lie down. Or it can also be for sitting on sideways. It might be able to support 2 kids on each side too. The con is that the shape on the top doesn't give many flexibility for how to place the sticks, so I would go with how it looks like in the picture, which is going to require many stick making and cutting.

Pro's: There are multiple ways to sit on it, less high so it's easy to get on and off.

Con's: Not much compared to the other ones

Chosen Design:

I chose Design (3).

1. It is because it seems to be the most stable, and would be the safest path. It is already quite a risk to choose to make a big, rock-able, chair out of newspaper stixx, and I think now I better choose a safer path. The reason this seems to be more stable is that it is long, but short (in height). So the overall pressure is more spread out. And in case it breaks, someone won't fall on their back so heavily because he/she is low.
2. It is because there are multiple way of sitting on it, and it seems easier to get on and off, and even children can climb up and down. I think that makes it more useful, meaningful, and interesting.
3. It is because it is shorter and a bit smaller, so it would be easier to carry around and would take up less space at home.
4. It is because this one seems to have a lot of newspaper stixx, but a lot of them are very short, so I believe and can cut a full-length stick apart and use it as two sticks. So it uses less resources and time.

And I didn't pick the other ones - even (1) seems to be more unique and "interesting" and (2) seems to sit more comfortably, and can use as a proper chair while working - exactly because of the opposite reasons why I picked (3).

List of Materials:

• Newspaper-stixx machine/roller - To roll the newspaper stixx to build the chair out of
• Newspapers - To be rolled out of
• Glue - So the newspaper will stick together and also for providing hardness to the stick
• Container - For glue
• Saw - For cutting newspaper stixx to the precise length, also so that I use more than once while only rolling once
• Plastic "strands": For tying the newspaper stixx together

Other Materials:

• Water - to mix with the glue
• Cloth - For wiping the glue off and cleaning the rolling machine afterwards
• Brush - to put the glue on

 Drawing, Description, Measurements:

I group some measurements together keeping them close to or under 50 cm. The purpose of gourping them together is so that I don't have to crank as many stixx as I need, I can use a saw to easily cut them instead as the are paper. This will save time, paper and glue.

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22

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.

Business Card: Evaluating

Business Card: Evaluating

Measuring Success

To evaluate my success, I should look if it has transferred the message. Does the logo look smart, elegant. Does the logo feel optimistic, friendly, cheerful? Is the mnemonic easy to be noticed and does it make the company name easier to remember? Does the font look simple, easy to read, and friendly to the eye? Does the design on the back attract attention, make it unique and recognisable. Does the layout on the front have harmony - Does it look neat, organised, appealing and comfortable and nice to look at? Do the colours and gradient feel smart, exciting, trustworthy, and professional? (Does the change in size make it look more "perfect", balance, good-looking?

Evaluating Success

Feedback

• When first seeing the logo, most people recognise it is a face, but 3 or 4 thought it was a swan (which I knew people would, which is elegant).
• They felt weird when the lines are all curvy, and things looks smooth and elegant, and the work "industrial" came out. This isn't much or a design problem as it is a purpose that it is made smooth and elegant, to cover the actual thing of manufacture. I should just maybe consider myself as "designer engineer" or just "designer".
• The card doesn't exactly suit my job. It looks more like a doctor's or a dentist's business card.
• The box that only has three side completed didn't look so good. (My idea was to make it like a tab coming out from the side, but they thought it makes it look uncompleted). Four sides making a sealed.
• The corners on the back looks kind of empty (I don't agree much with that, the main attraction is in the centre and if more is added it would be too much, and there isn't much to add)
• The logo looks elegant and happy.
• The face looks smart and confident.
• The blue have a sense of hope, like the blue sky.
• The front is organised, tidy, and is good to look at.

Personal Thoughts

Yes, I think the logo blue, shining eyes look very smart, and adding the small smile there (eye), looks trustworthy. The whole logo definitely look very cheerful , optimistic, and friendly. Orange give a sense of fun, while the lines are all curvy, looking organic and smooth, light, easy, relaxing. It does look kind of like a swan so its elegant. Also, it has a big grin and a smile in the eyes. I think the S across might be a bit hard to see, but the rest of the mnemonic is quite noticeable. I think once you notice it, the whole smartness, trust, grin, and the name should be tied fondly. I think the font is pretty good, and it makes it look more like a business card because most cards and some formal things use it. So that the whole card doesn't just look "fun" and impractical. The logo on the back is quite good. The layout is great, there is enough white space. It is organised when the logo is on a side, and the information on the other. However, balance is okay remained because their size doesn't vary a lot but the text might seem like many things when a logo is one. The fact that orange feel heavier did help a bit.

I agree it's kind of like a dentist business card. I think it might lack some corners and squares. I also think the blue was too much on the bright side. Also, the grin on the logo might just be too big, "seems like half of the logo is on the grin so maybe there's something to do with the mouth..." but there wasn't, so not too good there. I think the lines on the back does look appealing and smooth, but then it start to look like lines on a notebook, kind of annoys me a bit. Also, the white might just have contributed more to the dentist part. There might be a little too much repetition for the logo in the front and back, especially with the fact their sizes are similar. It might be okay, doesn't seem to bother me a lot. I think the colours look smart, and cheerful, not very professional because there is very tiny bit of grey (the gradient and font helped with this aspect, but still it's not calm enough, cool but not calm). Except the blue looks too "dentisty". A mistake that wasn't intentional is that the front have too much orange when it's only suppose to be about half. That was because I was working with a too-big-bleed, and I didn't saw that when I zoomed to normal and check because the bleed did had a lot of blue. I think that has to be fixed before printing, short-term stuff to fix but important. It doesn't look very technological as I wanted it in the brief.

So for myself, I'll give it a 70%.

Improvements

1. I think I should change my position into "Designer Engineer". I make this change because a smooth, elegant, smart, and cheerful design doesn't fit industrial. However, there is no way we should make it look like factories, square, and pollution, that doesn't help people buy products. Therefore, I will turn it around and make my position fit the branding. Which would "Design Engineer" because design comes first but engineer also comes as a part of my job, I don't just design, so I don't want to take that away.
2. To solve the problem of it looking too much like a dentist's card, I think I should make the mouth of the logo smaller so the focus doesn't go too much to the oral part. Also, the blue on the eye I can keep maybe, but for the rest of the card, I am going to tune the blue to less green and less bright.
3. To solve the problem that the lines on the back look too much like notebook lines and complicated, I propose three ways to improve and see which is the best a) turn the opacity down b) delete the lines c) Put a small logo on right corner and thicken the lines a bit. Turning the opacity down might help make it less complicated but will still look like a notebook probably. Deleting the lines will make it much simpler, but then it might be too empty. I would make the colour a dark one, maybe brown, and no gradient. Some flatness might look good because. And the brown seems lacking and it contrasts with the logo, so it's mainly for visual affects, not branding. Putting the logo out of the way but making sure it is there. The lines might look good by themselves but then more movement and 3D will look much better. It might also get rid of the repeating logos on both sides of the card.
4. There is too much orange on the front side and the gradient was hard to see. To solve that, I would put back the exchange point of colour as 50%, in the middle. Or adjust it if it's not good.
5. To make it more technological, it might need like a redo. Because this card is no where close. I imagine it to be more straight lines with round corners and grey a darker green and blue gradient. But now I think that I'm more of a designer first. However, still, the company isn't all about design, so some feel of technology is needed.

Impact

Our company sells electronics that is used in a person's daily life. We want to transmit the idea that we can make their life better, and I think the smile in the mouth and eye does express it. I mention smart is the human's goal now in the design brief and we want to express it and the blue and the blue eye helps. Although we mentioned about fifty-year old people, this card mainly focuses on teenagers and people in twenties. They seek excitement and orange is exciting. Some 40-50-year old might also be interested, but the card is not as much speaking to them. It doesn't look very luxurious though, and not very cool, maybe more grey could help. I mentioned that our clients love technology, and that is true, but I notice companies like samsung and apple and LG don't put a very technological look in it. It attracts attention; It has mnemonic device to help it be remembered; The colours are basically the colours of the company logo so they should be associated and easy to recognise. It fulfils my design brief okay and is probably going to be recognised and help the branding and feel for the company not too bad. Except it fit adults less and it's not luxurious or technological.

Business Cards: Developing Ideas

Business Cards: Developing Ideas

1) Design Specifications:

• The final digital file will be in a common format such as jpg, png, tiff.
• the final image resolution should be no less than 300dpi to ensure quality.  
• final card designs will include a 0.125" bleed on all side
• It should include my name, email address, phone number, and position in the company.
• It should have the full name of the company, location of the specific store, and website of the company.
• Logo will be in the business card.
• It will have two sides.
• There should be some sort of space in between each kind of information.

2) Design Ideas:

Back Design:

This is a back design. It is made according to the colours of the logo. It will be based on the shape that is drawn in the draft. Whether or not there will be space in between different colours will be decided once it is chosen. The colours will manly be bright and will be attractive. And given that big surface area, it will really grab attention. (It might be gradient or not).

This is one of my designs for the back of my business card. It has the logo right in the centre, and would work best for circular logos (because they make it look even more balanced, centred). The size of the logo shown is about the ratio of what you are seeing in the image of the draft. It has to be big enough to be clear to see and attractive, it can't be too big or else things would lose proximity. The pro is that it is simple and the logo will be very recognisable because it's only the logo in the whole page. The con is that it might result in too much negative space leading to a plainness. (It might be 3D or it might not).

This is another back design made according to the other green business card on top. It uses lines to create a flow and it looks interesting. The curvy lines would make anything look very friendly. The lines would mainly follow the flow of the logo, works better with logos that are less square or circle-ish, and that are more curvy. The flow is special and would attract and is memorable. However, it would be tough to make this. One main colour (related with the logo and company) will also be chosen, and there will be lighter and deeper parts but using the same colour.

Front Layout:

This is a portrait layout. The logo will lie on the top 2/3 (imaginary) line and the name of the company is going to go below the line. The rest of the information will take up half the page, and the text is going to be centred. The logo will be about the same ratio as on the image above. The logo will be big enough, and you will always see it right on top and pay attention even when you are just looking at the information. However, it should not be used with the "logo in the middle" back design because it will be too repeated with both in the middle and start to be annoying and irritating. It is also because that one looks better horizontally but this is a portrait layout. Another con is that it might grab attention from the information. That doesn't matter much because when you need the info you will sure pay attention to it but it creates an unbalance vertically. Ratio: 20:13

In this layout, the logo will be on the left, and on the right there will be a rectangle with my name (big) and my position. The rectangle will be about the middle (vertically), and all the other information will go below. This is a good layout because it has a very good harmony to it, and everything is well separated on both sides but there is just a unity and balance. It doesn't feel like the card is split in half (unity). It also provides the right amount of white space. Ratio: 21:12

In this layout, the logo with the company name below will be on the top half of the page, then the information will be in the lower half (centred). Those will only take up 1/3 of the page in the centre. The sides will have colours with full opacity, and in the centre there will be colour that is lighter with lower opacity. The colour change will be gradient. Colour not decided yet. It is basically a portrait card in the middle, but a landscape with more colours to make it more attractive and more friendly and gentle (because it is horizontal). The con is that there might be too much white space. Ratio: 20:13

Logo:

This logo looks very cool. It not really a continuation but there is motion, that the blue things are spinning counterclockwise while the orange ones are spinning clockwise. Motion catches peoples attention. There is also a very nice flow when the curve lines are put together, it has a nice rhythm. It is also round and those are all curvy lines, and rotational symmetrical. The outside circle shapes looks like shooting stars, which kind of hold the meaning of "a chance to make what you wish come true". People think, imagine, and hope for a lot of new and innovative technology so the meaning is good. The middle part kind of look like fans and that's electronics, they are also like water drops which is what you need daily. They are also in a shape of a light bulb which means ideas, smart, invention, intelligence. The middle thing is kind of like the mountain and the very very core of the logo will be the mountain top. And it is means climbing higher and higher, reaching the top. It has SLS in it (the curves in the blue and those kind of straight lines are S in the middle is Land it is a mnemonic device - first letter. Overall a pretty rich and good logo in this situation.

It is not very attracting. Response is friendliness because of the curvy lines, and if looked in an angle it is kind of reflectional symmetrical. But it is also tilted towards the right (forward). The circle outside seems to make the response neutral though. It is also like a shooting star, and it also uses the first letter mnemonic device. Overall not a very good logo in this situation.

This is an obscured smily face so it attracts attention - "tiger behind the bush" our better ancestors are good in connecting shapes. The lines are mainly curvy and its horizontal length is longer than its vertical length, so it is a horizontal rectangle it's inside, these make it friendly. All it shows smily face and means that it improves life and make it easy. A smily face is something concrete, and it uses first letter as a mnemonic device.

Font:

The styles are already chosen, simple and thin, and the options are all quite similar, with the same pros and cons, it will be chosen using feedback

Fortheenas 01

Lane Narrow Regular

Opificio Neue

Helvetica Neue light

Avenir light

Myriad Pro

Colour Palette:

6FCCDD, E0DFDD, 8F5DA6

The bluish, greenish colour feels digital. Grey feels professional, authority, calm, balance, neutral. Purple means imagination, wise, creativity, royalty, elegance. This I think starts to look girlish, but it is maintaining a digital, pro look. But the purple doesn't give a lot of creativity feel, instead it just look elegant and "pretty" and girlish.

5695D0, E0DFDD, 4CB748

Blue means trust, smart, dependable, strength. Grey feels professional, authority, calm, balance, neutral. Green means, peaceful, natural, growth, trust. The colours look kind of dull overall, but it feels professional, trusted, and peaceful.

5695D0, E0DFDD, F9A21A

This is like the previous one but instead of green, I chose and yellowish orange. It is professional and smart, but the difference is it is more sharp and it looks brighter (happier) than the green which has a little jealous, nasty, unexperienced feeling.

FEC512, 4952A3, 11AE4B

This darker blue is also more violet, giving a more mature and professional feel. Orange means cheerful, energetic, warm. Yellow means happy, fun, optimistic, and caution. But the orange kind of brings it away from that. But the yellowish makes it contrast with the blue more, and looks more sharp and attracting. This green is same as the blue, darker makes it more mature and professional, and less healthy, jealous and unexperienced feel. This has great contrast, feels mature, smart, trust, peaceful yet optimistic, fun feel.

3) Chosen Design:

Back design: Logo in the centre

This is because the logo in the centre without anything makes people focus on the logo more. And a good logo can grab people's attention well. And if the logo is a very recognised one, then people will straight ahead go "Oh! I know which company's business card this is." which is good because even the business card should be easily recognised. The colour one might be attractive but unrecognisable. The line can also be at the back because it is something special, there is novelty.

Front layout: One side info, one side

The third back layout was not good because a portrait text on a horizontal card just doesn't fit, look weird, and caused a lot of white space. Even if the white space was filled in with logos of other text, it would look funny, lack unity and harmony because something on the sides is not going to look good. The portrait design just seem too formal and a little bit dull. This one chosen has a good harmony and has a good balance, and is rich enough yet having enough white space.

Logo: Smily face
This logo is more special meaning attracting more attention and more memory. It is also obscured which attracts even more attention, and it is a face which attracts even more attention. It looks friendly with those curvy lines which is a good message but with the L with angles and straight lines keeping it away from the extreme. All it means is that it improves life and you'll be happy using the products. All the logo designs have a first letter mnemonic device, but this one is more memorable because it is something concrete that represented the company - to use innovative ideas, and smart inventions to improve quality of life. The second one was totally abstract and was very random. The first one was actually pretty good, and it at least have some meaning, but the meaning is very hard to notice of find out. It is also very abstract so if someone don't know the company yet or understand much, they would have no idea what that was.

Size: 20:13
The standard size seems a bit long and the chosen one is close to the golden ratio and it seem more comfortable to look at and there is more balance between the horizontal and the vertical.

Font: Avenir light
They are all quite simple. However, this is just right there, some are over-done and looks awkward (where they cut half of the horizontal line of "t" and "f"...). Helvetica Neue was another choice and they are kind of the same, but Avenir light seems to be fresher. Also Avenir light had all ellipses (even e and c) using the same circle and the same size, while Helvetica Neue had it changed more, which seems to me avenir light looks simpler and better. One thing that looked bad about it is that the kerning was too wide and looking unnatural but that can be adjusted in illustrator.

Colour Palette:

I chose 5695D0, E0DFDD, F9A21A - blue, grey, and yellowish orange. Blue is smart. The grey looks professional, mature, and simple. the orange makes it optimistic and happy, like having a good quality of life. The last one was too bright and looked childish. The first one looked girlish. The second which is like this except for the orange was green also looked more green (eco) and comfortable for the eye, but it contains the jealous and unexperienced feel.

4) Planning Drawing:

• The mouth of the logo should be orange (something close to red would look more normal), the nose grey, and the eyes blue.

• The logo at the back side would be in the centre and the size would be a third of the vertical side, square (times itself).

• About the same logo size would be on the front page on the left place in the middle of the vertical length, and in the middle of the exactly left half side.

• In the front, there will be a rectangle to contain my name and my position. The whole rectangle will be horizontal, it will be around the middle (vertically) or maybe higher. It will be a bit thick, and it will be as long as about half the length of the card. Inside, the name will be in capital letters on the left side and it will be big. And my position "industrial engineer" will be on the right, and only the first letters will be capitalised, and one word will be on top and the other at the bottom. It will be small.

• All words should be using the avenir typeface but the font can be any except no oblique.

• There should be a one line space between each kind of information. Below the rectangle will be the company name, then address, then space, then my email address, then phone number, then space, then the company website.
• All information won't have like "Phone:", "Address:", stuffs like that.

These are more videos I found to help me through the process of creating my business card:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuG1vAaLxtc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldsTXjQ3rn0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsBhoa4OidI

Business Card: Inquiring & Analysing

Business Card: Inquiring & Analysing

1. Explain and justify the need for a solution for a problem:

What is this project all about:

This project is about communicating our future identity. It is about our future job and how branding and logo will help us. We want to introduce ourselves to our clients. And my clients will be looking for cool-looking, style, high-quality gadgets and smart-electronics with new ideas packed into it. They are also looking for a big number of functions, and power-efficiency. This project also involves branding as branding allow our clients to recognise us and it tells our client quickly about what we do and what we make.

Here, I'm planning to be a designer for gadgets and phones. I think it's called industrial engineering.

3 Adjectives:

1. Quality: This is very important because it should be clarified that the products are not cheap products or made out of weak or poisonous materials. This also tells clients a bit that things are not fake, they are functional. It will give the overall feeling that it is safe to use (especially when there are so many cheap and poisonous products manufactured in China nowadays), and that you should trust the products, we want the clients to have confidence in and during using the products.
2. Innovative: This means having new ideas and new bits of technologies included. It is to make the products more special and to attract consumers that are interested in new things. Like when the first touch-screen iPod came out, although it probably wouldn't be such a big event, but just as an example.
3. Simple: This is talking about simple designs and looks, because people like things to be simple, human brains like things to be organised and less complicated. It is the style we want our products to have - simplicity. Like Apple is also famous for its simple designs and it's part of the beauty of their products. We want our customers to feel good and easy when they use our products.

My job will mostly be on the "Simple" part, and some "Quality".

The tools:

We should get some websites and video to help us through making the fonts with the tools (mainly Adobe Illustrator and Fontstruct).

1st:

This is a short video that teaches the basics of fontstruct. Fontstruct is quite simple and easy and fast.

2nd:


3rd:
https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/tutorials.html
This is a website which has a whole set of videos for each type of editing in Adobe Illustrator. It's also very organised so it is going to be very easy to find a video.

2. Primary and secondary research:

The concepts:

1. The Gestalt principles. In the Gestalt principles, there are mainly similarity and dissimilarity, continuation, closure, proximity, and figure and ground. Similarity: When two or more things looks similar or have similar features, our brains tend to link and relate them. Dissimilarity: When something is different than the rest of the group in colour, size, shape, etc., it would stand out more and we will pay attention to it. Continuation: It is usually when a line or lines have a smooth flow, we would see see motion in the picture from one end to the other. Closure: When a space is not completely closed, but the lines (usually) around the space seem to move in or is part of the shape, your brain would close it up automatically. Proximity: When objects are closer together, we tend to group them up. Figure and ground: It's basically how we arrange which part is at the back and which back is in the front.

You would probably group the black squares on the same line as a group and white ones on the same line as another. You might also see black and white lines. It's because black and similar the black and white's similar to white.

Dissimilarity: The yellow guy is going to stand out from the rest because it is different, and different attracts attention. Others are black, the guy is yellow.

Closure: Due to the point where the straight lines stop and the "packman" angle, you will see a white triangle without any lines literally around it. Figure and ground: As the lines of a triangle pointing up is stops at a point, it seems like the lines are partially covered, and that the the upright triangle behind the downwards one.

Proximity: On photo left, you see vertical lines because the squares are vertically closer to each other than horizontally closer to each other. And photo right works exactly the opposite way.

Similarity: This line flow and that it is from large to small makes it seem like it's in motion from close to far.

ARMM:

1. A is for attention. In order to get attention, there are 3 techniques. Novel stimuli: Something special to grab people's attention. Supernormal stimuli: Things that will attract attention normally, these are passed from our ancestors for survival (bright coloured are poisonous, be aware...) And finally, partially obscured stimuli: People would want to find out what is it about because it is interesting.
2. R is for response. If you want to show dominance, authority, boldness, and motion, we use angular shapes, vertical lines, and asymmetry. If you want to show friendliness, submissiveness, honesty, and stability, we use round-curvy shapes, horizontal line, and symmetry.
3. The first M is for meaning. To measure how much meaning there is, we should find out the propositional density. To calculate that we divide the deep propositions by the surface propositions Keep in mind 1: When counting surface proposition, we don't need to count every single feature, what matters is how they're naturally grouped together. 2: Deep propositions highly depend on the person that's looking at the logo, they can vary. 3: We should not brainstorm deep propositions, just naturally think of what's come up to your mind. Neautral shapes like squares should be avoided unless the other features give the logo plenty of emotions.
4. The second M is for memory. In order to make a logo more memorable, we have to... Von restorff effect (special), mnemonic device (feature name & First letter), and the concreteness effect.

Elements of Graphic Design:

There are type, line, shape, texture, colour, and space.

The other design vocabularies that we knew were:

• Alignment: How texts and images are lined up.
• Balance: If all spaces on a surface looks equal to the others, if they have a close amount of stuffs and business.
• Contrast: How different things differentiate in different elements.
• Emphasis: How you make something stand out by size, colour, shape...
• Harmony: If all the elements on a page come together nicely as a whole.
• Movement: Basically like continuation.
• Proportion: The relative visual size of an element compared to the other.
• Repetition: Repeating something, a pattern. For example, same typefaces and sizes for each headline on a newspaper.
• Rhythm: An effective flow. Elements on a page should seem patterned. For example, a yearbook usually have pages with same layouts, colours, and decorations.
• Unity: Feeling of a whole
• White Space: Empty space on a page

Analyse a range of existing products:

The apple logo is surely very simple, just like its products. It doesn't have any bright colour, which is part of why it's so simple. But it doesn't grab as much attention. There is also nothing special nor is there any obstructed shapes. The apple logo has no straight lines and very little sharp corners (only those necessary) making it look friendly. It doesn't specify in any straight of horizontal lines making it look kind of neutral in that perspective. All it is is just a bitten apple, and a leaf. Yet, it has meanings of apple makes you healthy, apple makes you smart, people use the products (bitten), apple is popular... So it's kind of meaningful. It is a feature name, because the company name is "Apple" and the logo is an apple, makes it easier to remember. Also, they have used a concrete thing, an apple, to represent the rest of the meanings and ideas. So I think it's memorable. But I chose it mainly because it's so simple and it connects to simple concepts and products.

Attention: It has a very bright colour, and it has an obstructed face that requires people to think, grabs attention. Response: The lines are mainly curved, plus the circle and the smile, makes it very friendly. However, that little bit of angle, especially the right angle for L/nose gives it back a little authority. There is not much meaning. There isn't much meaning, it is lacking some deep propositions. It is memorable because it uses the First-Letter mnemonic device (LG: Life's Good). The designer tries to tell that products have a good quality, and that it would improve the life of someone. The round face also symbolises the globe and humanity. Everything on the logo is very neat and tidy and for the 3D version there's that glossy feeling which also feels very high quality.

It was hard to find a logo that is "Innovative", it's even hard to think of or imagine one (and it would probably be tough to make one). It's because "innovative" is kind of abstract and hard to show or represent. But I come up with one that best fits my thoughts. This logo has some very bright green. And it is kind of obstructed, when you look at it carefully you see the combination of "S" and "E" in the grey part. There are no straight lines nor sharp corners (accept for the top left of the bottom green part). So it feels very friendly, especially when it uses green which is a calm and peaceful colour. I can't really see any deep propositions though. It is okay memorable because it uses the first-letter mnemonic device. But it isn't that special and it's not very concrete, it's just a name. But in a way it looks very high quality because of the glossiness it gives.

It is hard to find, and obviously hard to make a logo that feels "innovative" because it an abstract thing. But I think it is a very important part of the company - making new things and having new concepts are what we want.

Notice that all of them are san-serif because serif is usually for on paper and san-serif looks more simple and neat.

This font is called Fortheenas 01 from  dafont and I chose it for quality because it is very fine and detailed. And the fineness also makes it simple. The only letter I don't like is the "a". This "a" doesn't look simple enough.  Letters like "r", "h", and "n" tend to have their horizontal lines going upwards and it seems to me not very natural. Otherwise their shapes are quite normal. All the capital letters are made out of simple shapes and lines, symmetrical, and equal, so it looks very tidy and neat and it has a neutral feeling.

This is kind of like the previous font, but everything is even straighter and more tidy, without those kind of going up horizontal lines and with the small case "a" being the simpler, more modern one. But if I was to create one similar, I would make the ascenders and descenders have a little bit bigger ratio compared to the x height.

This font is called 01 Digital. Which barely made it into the "Innovative" category. The font is unusual but it doesn't tell any innovativeness about our products. But I chose it mainly for one of the adj I considered This font looks stylish, futuristic, "digital". It kind of have the "tron legacy" feeling to it. It's very cool. It has turned many curved lines to straight lines but a lot of sharp corners into round corners. It also only allow capital letters, but the caped letters will go bold. So it looks in a way strong but gentle (with the round corners). However, what is a little bad is that it has those little confusing short lines. And like the B, and the dot under the m and above the w, that's just confusing.

This font is very simple and looks a little "overdone". But it gives a really quality and simple feeling. By "overdone", I mean, like the "p" doesn't even have the little line on top of the circle. And the small "u" is the same shape as the capitalised one, it doesn't have the small line. And the other thing is that many letters seems to be "connected". It's similarity. A lot of the letter (especially small case) that has any circle in it (even an "e" though it's more obvious for the counters), it is the same perfect round circle. And it makes it even more neat and you kind of put them together. Just the first look it looks very circle-ish and round. It gives a friendly feeling. 

Below is a website that talks about "apple's favourite fonts" and I also like the style of it. So I will also take some ideas from it:

http://gizmodo.com/5930274/this-is-apples-new-favorite-typeface

It's simple and easy to read. It has sharp corners and a bit longer than standard. It has a special texture to the apple sign. The fonts look simple. Layout: I think this is a good layout though it's a little formal. There is the apple sign right in the centre placed appropriately (not too high, not too low) in the upper half of the card. And below it says it more detailed which part of the world is it, it's in bold and bigger letters compared to those below. The rest of the text is left alignment. And there is a double-line-space between each information which is a good way to separate them. This card is good, tidy, and formal.

This business card is actually very catchy because of the background and it has similarity with that "galaxy" backgroud. However, I do not like the information to be centred because it kind of conflicts with the title and info just should be more on the sides. Also, the background doesn't really suit my case because I want it to be simple, and the background is quite busy. Also, I think it's lacking contrast, so I'll not take it as a good example for myself

This is a windows business card I believe. And it's cool that it has similarity with the windows os/page. But I'll take it as a not-so-good example because the info side is too crowded, there isn't enough white space. But this card attracts attention well due to the bright colours that contrast with each other. And I should take reference of the colours.

  
The similarity of the two business cards above is that they have the image/logo/picture on the left. And the information is on the right. I like that a lot because there is a rhythm to it so it looks right and it has a flow to how you will look at the card. But I like the info side of the blue one more because there is a white space above the info and it doesn't take up the whole half page while the other half is empty. The black one I think is tricky if the logo stays that way. Because if it does it like the blue, it would look too empty (as the logo is tiny). But if it is how it is right now, the right half just looks too busy and it isn't balanced. So I think Maybe making the logo a bigger would help. Although, on the other side, I like the black card more. I like how the logo is placed in the centre. And if I have the space I think I would do so too with the same size. I think its size is a very good one because it is a logo, so if you make it too big, it kind of loses proximity when you look at normal distance, and unity is gone. However, too small is not catchy enough and just how can people see it.

Develop a detail design brief:

Our products are kind of similar to Samsung. We sell electronics including washing machines, vacuums, televisions, refrigerators... but we are well-known for our phones and gadgets.  My company name should be SLS (stand for Simply Live Smart). Because "smart" is something human are working towards, and innovative kind of pairs with it. The smarter the more innovative. And putting the simple adjective inside makes it sound more simple, and we make our point clear: Live Smart and we will help you do so. This idea is from LG. SLS takes up about 6%-9% share on the global market of mobile terminals and about 4% share for other products. Kids start to have phones around 8, and some elderly use smart phones ad other gadgets too. But we mainly focus our gadgets on teenagers to 50-year-old people. However, washing machines and refrigerators and essential for all families. We have a wide range of products and their prices can vary 10 times, so low, middle, and high class people use our products. But when using our products, people shall feel cool, stylish and a bit luxurious. Our company is global, but mostly in developed country where people can afford and bother to get a good quality electronic. Our customers and clients will be people that catch up with trend, and value and love technology, and like to seem high class (luxurious, quality). However, everyone needs a phone and house electronics so even if the don't really value these, they'd find the best ones among the same price, or the cheapest among the same quality. I need a business card and a logo. I want people to always pay attention, remember, and recognise my company from it. Standard size with sharp corners. It will be used mainly when I see my clients. The logo should first letters like Sony ericsson and a face kind of thing like LG should be considered. That is my taste. It has to be done around the 13-10-2014. Budget should be around $750.

Branding:

Colour:
#feb402 - orange (orange that is a little bit yellow), Means creativeness, confidence, friendliness
#00ccff - Light blue, means smart, loyal, dependable, strong, digital
#acacac - Grey, means professional, authority, practical
They contrast too, grabs attention using one another.
About 63% blue, 30% orange, 7% grey

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/195202965074139752/

Font:
Modern, neat and tidy