Lville Design

Alex

Tom Chi Video Learning Paragraph:

While watching the Tom Chi video I learned a lot about prototyping in general and how it’s done. First of all, I learned that a prototype does not have to be built with the materials one plans on using in a final design and can be made with simple, common, household goods. With this in mind, I learned that a prototype does not have to be something that could be sold at all, but can simply be a representation of an idea in the testing phase. Next, I learned the fundamental goal of prototyping: to solve issues with design and to come up with a better plan before building an actual product. In the past, I had always thought of a prototype as something that needed only minor changes before turning into the real product, but I now realize that prototypes can also come early in the design process in an effort to solve problems before investing large sums of money or materials to build an actual product (more of a proof of concept, if you will). Finally, I learned that in order to prototype you need to think outside the box. This was evident in Chi’s explanations of how he made prototypes of certain pieces of technology and the steps he went through to produce the working prototype.

Design Constraints for Phone Holder Challenge:

The phone holder must fit the dimensions of the phone.
The phone holder must be durable and strong, but not too heavy. This being said, it must be heavy enough to support the weight of the phone.
The phone holder must be made of relatively inexpensive materials, as people won’t purchase an expensive phone holder.
The phone holder must consistent of one and only one parts, otherwise the user may lose components.
The phone holder must be good-looking, otherwise consumers will not by it.

Design Constraints for Phone Challenge:

The phone must have consistent dimensions of a real phone.
The phone must represent the actual weight of a real phone in order to test the holder.
The phone must contain all of the same physical features and in the same locations so as to accurately test the holder.

Actionable Problem Statement:

I need to create a light, durable, phone stand that will hold users’ phones up by themselves. In addition to holding up the phone, the stand must be easily rotatable and must be easily moved around, while still holding the phone. The stand must also have a modern, sleek design and expose both sides of the phone, acting as a camera stand, as well. Ideally, the stand should be able to fit any size phone, but material constraints prevent this, so the stand will be crafted to fit most normal size phones. Finally, the stand should be able to accommodate the phone even when it is charging, adding usability. The phone stand should also be small enough to be carried around in a small bag or something so that users can bring it wherever they go. All of these features will ensure that the product is a success.

Phone Stand Concept Sketches:

Phone Stand Pictures in Rhino as of 9/24/20:

Fourth Industrial Revolution Paragraph:

According to the video, the fourth industrial revolution is upon us and the central theme to it will be the use of man’s new knowledge to create a better world. Firstly, the fourth industrial revolution will bring about better situations for disadvantaged people across the world. Secondly, the fourth industrial revolution will allow us to save our planet from climate change. Lastly, the fourth industrial revolution will finally open up greater “freedom of thought” in the world, allowing for ideas to flow evenly. Subsequently, these changes will allow society to fight our biggest problems, from world hunger to cancer. This all relates to Technical Design Class because the foundation of this fourth industrial revolution will be the use of technology and robotics to create this better world. Since technical design is crucial to robotics and technology in general, it is clearly going to be an important topic in the future.

Note: My final phone stand design has not changed much since my last time uploading pictures, other than the addition of a movable top piece. This is because I spent time trying to figure out how to create movable side pieces. Unfortunately, I was unable to do so without changing the overall design significantly and altering the appearance of the stand, which I did not want to do.