Monday, October 29, 2012

Exchange

My groups word that we chose was Exchange

Definition of Exchange:

as a verb transitive 
1. To give in return for something received; trade

2. To give and receive reciprocally; interchange
3. To turn in for replacement

as a verb intransitive:
1. To give something in return for something received; make an exchange.
2. To be received in exchange

as a noun:
1. The act or an instance of exchanging
2. One that is exchanged
3. A place where things are exchanged, especially a center where securities or commodities are bought and sold

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Reflection


Finishing this project was a relief but, also, a little sad. I had a lot of fun with this project. I connected and grasped the idea product design. I thought that working in a group and creating something together was so much more satisfying and easy, than working on my own. I now want to switch my major to industrial design, because even though it was a lot of work, it did not seem like work. It was fun. The most interesting part of the experience was coming up with designs and mapping. I loved doing the giant mind map. I am a very visual person, so being about to layout my thoughts visually was much easier to comprehend, than just writing it in a list. At first, I found it hard to build prototypes, but after experimenting and messing around with different mediums, it became much like sculpting (which a true passion of mine). Also, I was nervous at first about working in a group. I was wondering how the group dynamic would be and if there would be a bossy person, who would only do what they wanted. However, it turned out that I was completely wrong. My group was so supportive, innovative, creative, helpful, and fun. I, also, learned more about how to work Indesign and create a better composition, since my job at the end was to produce the poster. Overall, I loved this project and could see myself easily in the future working for something like the IDEO Company.

Prototype Interviews

Interview Mary Beth Finn prototype

Me: Did you like the thumb hold?
Mary Beth: I love the thumb hold. It feels better than any whisk I’ve ever seen since no one has ever focused on the handle before.
Me: Would you prefer to have multiple different heads?
Mary Beth: Yes, it’s more helpful and convenient then having to go out and buy different whisks
Me: What head would you most likely use, bigger or smaller?
Mary Beth: I would use the smaller whisk more for sauces; you should focus on that one.
Me: Would you want a jelly grip handle?
Mary Beth: It wouldn’t be necessary, because you already have the thumb hold.



Interview Miriam Lietschuh prototype

Me: Did you like the thumb hold?
Miriam: The thumb hold makes it very comfortable and easier to use.
Me: Would you prefer to have multiple different heads?
Miriam: I think that would nice so I don’t have to have multiple whisks in my house
Me: What head would you most likely use, bigger or smaller?
Mariam: I really don’t know. I would use both of them.
Me: Would you want a jelly grip handle?
Mariam: Maybe, I would have to try it out.


Initial Interviews


Interview Marybeth initial:

Me: If you have arthritis does your hand hurt after whisking for a while?
Mary Beth Finn: I do have arthritis and it does hurt, especially in my wrist.
Me: Do you think that a grip of some type would be beneficial?
Mary Beth: Yes, I believe that it would make it easier.
Me: Is cleaning a whisk and getting all the food out a hassle?
Mary Beth: No, not really, because I just put it in the dishwasher and it’s clean.
Me: Does the material of the whisk head matter to what you are whisking?
Mary Beth: Sometimes, but it doesn’t matter to me.
Me: Does the shape and size of the whisk head matter in the whisking process?
Mary Beth: Yes, because certain things use small heads and big things, like
batter, need a bigger, stronger head.
Me: If made possible, would you rather whisk with your arm or you wrist?
Mary Beth: well, as much as it would be better for my arthritis to use my arm, the
wrist is just better.
Me: What do you normally whisk?
Mary Beth: Sauces, curds, gravy, eggs, batter (sometimes)








Interview Jackie initial:
Me: If you have arthritis does your hand hurt after whisking for a while?
Mary Beth: I have terrible arthritis in my hand and wrist, so after awhile it does hurt.
Me: Do you think that a grip of some type would be beneficial?
Jackie Compas: Yes, it could possibly be beneficial, I would have to try though to
see how much better it feels.
Me: Is cleaning a whisk and getting all the food out a hassle?
Jackie: No.
Me: Does the material of the whisk head matter to what you are whisking?
Jackie: No matter what material it is made of it will work fine.
Me: Does the shape and size of the whisk head matter in the whisking process?
Jackie: Yes, with things like eggs, you need a bigger whisk, with things like sauces it
needs to be small, and with hot items a medium whisk
Me: If made possible, would you rather whisk with your arm or you wrist?
Jackie: arm
Me: What do you normally whisk?
Jackie: Sauces, eggs 

Group Dynamic



Group: David Hattan, Madeline Finn, Taylor Moody, Zak Wolhachlegel
Our group dynamic could not have worked better. Everyone was very focused, creative, and innovative. Even though we did not have an industrial designer, it did not matter because as a group we each had background knowledge that filled in for that. We all got things down and we each did our part, which was very helpful for getting things down by the deadlines. We would aid each other and give critiques without putting the person but by bettering the design and person’s knowledge. I personally loved my group and would easily work with them again. I felt very relaxed and confident in our finished product and poster.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

3 poorly designed objects


Tape:
My first poor design was a tape dispenser. One way the tape dispenser has a poor design is that it is made out plastic that is very breakable. I have gone through many of these tape dispensers because they have cracked and broke. Also, the tape slicer is not strong enough to cut the tape because they make the tape very strong and thick. Overall, it is a poor design.

Toothpaste:
My second poor design was a toothpaste dispenser, because trying to get all of the toothpaste out of the container is nearly impossible without using a lot of force. Also, the cap that squirts the paste out gets clogged and dries out so it becomes harder to get the paste out.

Nail Scissors:
My third poor designed object was pair of nail scissors. First off, the scissors are too far apart to cut nails and are not sharp enough to cut anything. Second, the place where you put your fingers is very small and it cramps your hand. It doesn’t help you guide the scissors, which makes them pointless.