Benedicte Blix's blog

Reflection: During the first ideation, I focused on arthritis, because I imagined that people with this kind of disability would have trouble with a lot of different packaging.

Feedback from tutor, week 2: Try to look at other solutions than zip-locker, because this can actually be difficult to handle for people with arthritis. Also, look at the whole dispensing cycle, where you open, use and pour. Considering the cap: there will probably be loads of solutions like this in the competition, so try to look at other problems. And remember to bring the research you do. The can is absolutely a problem worth solving, but you have to work harder on this one, in order to get a better solution. Look at the products made by famous designers such as Joseph and Joseph.

Feedback from classmates(Douglas and Alexander): You have found interesting problems to solves, but your solutions are not good enough yet. Try to do an empathy experiment, and look at other disabilities as well. Go to the store, and by some packaging. See if you find any problems there, and look deeper into the products. How would it be to open if you were visually impaired, or had arthritis? Also, discuss with your friends to see if they have experienced any problems considering packaging. Have you thought about other disabilities? 

Feedback from tutor (Scott), week 3: The problem you are solving is an actual problem for many people, so this is good. In order to take this to another level, you have to look deeper into how the mechanism works, and consider the following: How does the mechanism of other pouring systems look? How can you do this in a simple way? First look at the mechanism, then the form. Should the box indicate how much is left? How do I know which side is up/down? Refine your concept. Buy examples and look at cross-sections.

Feedback from classmates(Andrea an Clark): Does it have to be cylindrical? What kind of material do you want to use? Have you thought about other disabilities? What is the best shape in order to get a good grip? How do you want to show the user that this isa better product, even if you don't have any disabilities? 

Reflection: During the past week, I have come up with a solution that solves the problem with the measuring of baking powder and other similar products, but the solution is not perfect yet. It lacks a higher degree of technical solution, and could benefit from better insight in the problems for people with visual impairment. 

Feedback from tutor (Scoot): The good thing about the solution, is that it solves an actual problem, but it still needs improvements considering the form and the mechanical solution. It is not possible to understand how this works, by simply looking at your sketches and 3D-model. When do you need a whole tablespoon of baking powder? Have you ever seen a recipe with that big amount? Choose a different picture for your empathy experiment, where you can see that you are actually blindfolded. And try to include some statistics in your poster, because they are too white at the moment. 

Feedback from Cormack: This is a cool concept. You still have to work with the refinement, but you are definitely on to something. 

Feedback from classmates (Ole André and Anders Poulsen): The concept is good, and it solves an actual problem. You should still try to mount it in Solidworks, and see how it works. In addition to this, try to look at existing product, their material, and how they work, in order to get a greater perspective. Think about the production method as well. Can this be solved in a more efficient way? 

Reflection about movies considering sustainability: 

In the greenfly movie, the user can choose material for their products, and see how much the total cost is, and what kind of environmental impact it has in every stage of the lifecycle. This gives the designer a better insight in how environmental-friendly their product is. In the Autodesk movie: whole systems and lifecycle thinking, she talks about how you need to look at a much broader perspective when you consider the lifecycle of a product, and how you can improve. This should be done early in the process.  A products impact on the environment is divided into four steps: manufacturing, transportation, use and disposal. To get the best ideas, try to start with blank pages, and do some brainstorming. Compare the environmental aspects against each other, and choose the one with the lowest environmental impact. In the "Improving product lifetime"-movie by Autodesk, they talk about how you can make the product live longer by repairing and upgrading the products, instead of throwing them away immediately. In order to do this, you have to disassemble the products, and look at what components you can upgrade or fix. In the "lightweighting"- moving, they talk about how light weight decreases the environmental impact, and they use the bike as an example. They look at how the bike has developed, and see how the design has improved. They claim that lighter weight makes the product more sustainable, if the materials are durable, and it's not too expensive compared materials used for other similar products. In the movie about energy efficiency, they loot at the whole energy cycle of a refrigerator, and see how efficient every step is. They conclude that the refrigerator is only 16% efficient. They encourage you to look into all the stages, in order to understand where you can improve the energy efficiency. 

Feedback from classmates: My classmates thought the semantics looked much better on this concept, but couldn't really understand the the engraved area was supposed to be half a teaspoon. In order to improve this, I had to come up with something more intuitive. They also said that I should look on other blow-moulded parts, to see how they are made, in order to get the details right. 

Feedback from tutor: The semantics looks much better now, and it is much more intuitive how you are supposed to use it. I like that the box is curved, it looks good to grip. What does the bottom look like? You should look at other blow-moulded parts, and see how they are made. The top looks good, but maybe you can make it better by improving the embossed rectangles on the sides? The arrow is a good indicator for how you are supposed to use it. Is the mechanics in the top sealed? Cormack will be most interested in how you solved the mechanics in the top. 

During the product teardown, I got a greater insight in how a coffee machine is built, and how it works. It was very interesting to see how many parts the machine consists of. In order to get the machine more environmental friendly, the machine could have been made quite smaller. Lightweighting is an important factor when it comes to reducing the emissions. In addition to this, many of the parts were made in stainless steel. Some of these parts, which were not in direct contact with water, could have been made in aluminum. When it comes to he plastic parts, the parts made in polycarbonate could have been made in polypropylene, because this is more environmental friendly. Although the change that would give the greatest impact, would be to reduce the size. The machine was unnecessary big, and could have been more compact in order to reduce both producing cost and carbon emissions during manufacturing and transportation. The components could have been placed closer to each other, and in a different order, to make it more compact. During this project, I have learned a lot about all the considerations you have to make when designing a machine like this.


Feedback to other classmates:
http://bechdesign.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/final-concept.html#comment-form
http://kevinpeng3373311.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/blog-post.html?showComment=1378080596257
http://patrickdunnindustrialdesign.blogspot.com.au/
http://anderspoulsen.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/accessible-packaging-wcr-2.html#comment-form
http://ccandrea.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/project-1-accessible-packaging-inicial.html

Feedback fro tutor (Mariano): How would the boat look different if it was a boat that you share, compared to a boat that is fully owned? I think it would be difficult for you to design a boat in a few weeks.
Feedback from Classmates (Doug): What about a boat that  has more gadgets than a normal boat, where it fits more interests, and is suitable for more people? 

Feedback fro tutor (Mariano): You should look at the products that you are competing with, and try to find a gap where a neat product could fit in. What kind of functions does the existing products lack?
Feedback from classmates: If I'm out running, I don't want to have the phone on my arm, because it is so heavy, and uncomfortable. It could be fun to see how fast I run, and a scheme of how my heart rate varied throughout the workout. It would also be interesting to get more information, e.g. calories burned.

After a lot of research, I found out that the market for a heart rate monitor PPS was quite saturated, and it was very difficult to innovate it. I still wanted to work with mental well being, because I think this is an important aspect of everyday life.

Feedback from tutor: Your concept is not very innovative, so if you can try to think of a different concept, that would be good. 

Feedback from classmates, Ole André: I have no trouble running with my phone, and when the smartphone actually lets you measure heart rate, I don't see the point of having an extra product. 

Andrea: I always run with my phone anyway, because I want to listen to music, so the watch would be something extra.

During the past weeks, I have tried to work on a new concept, which could be a more innovative and reasonable PPS. I have thought of a wall of plants, which you can place in offices. The benefits are listed below.

Feedback from tutor: Is the installation wall-mounted? I don't like that. Have you seen the walls that we use in Australia? A wall-mounted solution is not suitable. I think you should make something that is flexible, and that you can move around. It should also be placed on the floor. How are the plants watered? Can you make sure that the soil is not spilled on the carpet? How can you make this a good PPS?

Feedback from peers(Ole André): You should include some research, and sources. You should also try to show the whole product system, and include more details. How does it work together? Your idea is not refined yet, you just show your idea. It would be good to see some concrete examples of your ideas. Then you'll be able to answer the questions on the design, in a proper way. In addition, the walls are different here, than in Norway, so a wall-mounted solution is not suitable. Should the plants be changed regularly? What about plants that grows on a wall, which is delivered when the plants are fully grown? Should it include a reminder for when it needs to be watered? Who should offer this? Try to be as concrete at possible, because concrete ideas are easier to discuss. Should it be a system of modules? Who should the providers collaborate with? You should also compare your solution to simply buying plants, and change them for yourself. Why is this solution better?

Feedback from peers: You have to think about how the plants are used, in order to get the best form. What shape is the most suitable if you want to make it flexible and modular? I like both the grid and the pockets, but you should try to think some more about the whole system. Who does the provider collaborate with?

Feedback from tutor: It looks like the weight of the climbing plants are going to fall to one side. It is not attractive as a PSS. Also, select your indoor plants and ensure that they can live without sunlight. Why will they change their mind towards becoming part of a PSS?

Feedback from tutor (Mariano) : The gap you found is good. However, the structure still looks like it would fall to one side. You have to improve the stability of the structure.

Feedback from peers (Andrea): What about smaller offices? Does it come in different sizes? And what are you going to do with it, if you don't want it any more? Maybe it should be something you hire.
(Anders): If you implement a bigger base, it would definitely be more stabile. The hanging boxes works good, so you should try to keep it like that. The research you did about sound reduction was really good. I don't agree with your barrier about the walls getting in the way when there not in use. I don't think that will be a problem.

This solution works better than the last one, because it provides something new, in comparison to existing products. Maybe it should be one box at the bottom as well, to make it more soundproof? In addition, if you want it t be more flexible, you should make it easier to place more modules next to each other. Have you though of a place where the water can drain?

Things to improve from the feedback: Make some space for the water to drain. Evaluate if you want to give the wall different proportions. Change the base into something that makes it more modular, and more stabile.

I have made some improvements on the structure, to make it more stabile. 

Feedback from tutor: This doesn't look like something you would have in an office, rather something you would place in your backyard. In addition, it doesn't look high at all. Why can't I just buy this from the store, instead of being a part of a PSS? 

Technical drawings: 

Feedback to peers: 

Ole André, "Siesta": Your design looks very thorough, and you have done a lot of research, which shows that there is a need for your solution. The user scenarios and personas help the viewer to understand how everything works together, and how your process has been.  Have you asked anyone if they are willing to pay for a service like that? What is the estimated price? The choice of material is good, and the detailing of the light ball as well. I like the way your product can easily be folded together, and the simplicity of your concept. 

Anders Poulsen, (The week before final presentation): Your system is good, but to make it ”magical”, maybe you should add some fun tasks on each station, where it is indicated where the next station is? In addition, it looks like the top of your product will get in the way when your trying to look at the screen.Have you though of what angle the screen should be placed in to give the best ergonomics? And which height? 

After final presentation: I like the way your product looks like a question mark. In addition, I think it could be very helpful and timesaving to use a touchscreen for information instead of people working in an office. Have you thought about how you can prevent your product from being exposed to vandalism? Are you sure that welding is the best solution, when it comes to mounting? Doesn't it make the product more difficult to transport? Apart from this, your product provides something new and inspiring to the tourists. 

Zhi han Ren: Your idea is good, and the airport would definitely be a convenient place to have it located. Have you thought about festivals as well? It is very easy to get lost from your friends at these kind of events, and electric sockets are often difficult to find, even if you didn't forget your charger. Why is it convenient to have use this as a service system? Wouldn't it be easier to simply charge it at the gate? Or does this take too much time?  

Peiyi Hou: I like the way your concept considers the environment, and encourages people to recycle. However, these can of reverse vending machines are very common in e.g. Europe, so I have difficulties to see the innovation in your concept, except that it collect more different items, than regular RVM's. Maybe you could be design differently to collect more items? It looks like it would fill up quickly. 

Christina Le:

Your concept is good, and it actually solves a common problem for parents. In addition, the design is very playful, and well suited for children. However, I don't think I would have rented the product, I would rather buy it. It is annoying that you have to deliver it back after use, and I reckon you would need it quite often.Maybe you can think about a way that allows parents to rent it for a longer period? You could also use more colors, in order to make it more tempting for children to use.