Project 1
Salt & Pepper Grinders
Now that we have explored abstract 3D form, we are ready to introduce function, human factors, affordances, and signifiers. You are tasked with designing a salt and pepper grinder set.
Product Analysis
Individually, in small groups, and as an entire class we will perform a product analysis. We will consider the same factors that we considered during the product analysis exercise. You will present your analysis during the research phase of this project and you will include the analysis in your process documentation.
Form Exploration and Development
The abstract form exercise should be considered as part of your form exploration for the S&P set, and you will include that exploration in your process documentation for this project. However, you are not required to use those forms directly, and in fact, those forms will require significant modification to meet the functional needs of this project. You also need to consider how these two forms will relate to one another and how you will communicate their contents. This requires iteration and testing.
Process Documentation and Final Presentation
Design is both a process and a result. Therefore it is critical to communicate not only the design artifact (the thing) but also the series of decisions that led to it (the process). You will present a 1:1 scale model of the proposed design’s form (a model), representational drawings of the proposed design that indicate colors, materials, and finishes (a rendering), and documentation of your design development process (a process book).
Steps:
- Perform a product analysis. Share and glean insights from peers
- Continue form exploration started in Ex 2, and develop them further based on functional requirements. Make sure to be mindful of formal affordances and enhance communication with signifiers.
- Share your designs with peers and use them to help test your design’s form, usability, and visual appeal.
- Refine your design based on peer and instructor feedback
- Document your design development and summarize it into a digital presentation for the class and external reviewers
- Continue form exploration started in Ex 2, and develop them further based on functional requirements. Make sure to be mindful of formal affordances and enhance communication with signifiers.
- Share your designs with peers and use them to help test your design’s form, usability, and visual appeal.
- Refine your design based on peer and instructor feedback
- Document your design development and summarize it into a digital presentation for the class and external reviewers
Deliverables:
- Documentation of all research and ideation (specific quantities may be assigned by your instructor)
- Two 1:1 scale models made from polystyrene foam surfaced, filled, and finished with gray paint.
- Dimensioned line drawings (top, front, side)
- Presentation quality rendering(s) of the proposed design that includes CMF (colors, materials, and finishes)
- Process book of all of the above items including studio photos of the model, scans of the renderings, and a reflection essay.
- 5-slide presentation summarizing your design development including (1) project brief, (2) product analysis, (3) ideation, (4) refinement, and (5) proposed design
- Two 1:1 scale models made from polystyrene foam surfaced, filled, and finished with gray paint.
- Dimensioned line drawings (top, front, side)
- Presentation quality rendering(s) of the proposed design that includes CMF (colors, materials, and finishes)
- Process book of all of the above items including studio photos of the model, scans of the renderings, and a reflection essay.
- 5-slide presentation summarizing your design development including (1) project brief, (2) product analysis, (3) ideation, (4) refinement, and (5) proposed design
