SPRINT BRIEF
WHAT WE ARE MAKING
WHY WE ARE MAKING IT
A personalized storage solution for a client-classmate
To learn about human-centered design, practice going through the design process, and learn some tangible fabrication skills
FINAL PROJECT EXPECTATIONS
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Prototype should be no bigger than a tissue box (8" x 8" x 4")
Your prototype should have at least 3 different openings or compartments for specific items.
Your final prototype should be well-crafted, measured, and assembled from lasercut parts
Studio Skills
Human-Centered Design
Concept Development
Low-Fidelity Fabrication
Digital Fabrication
Creative Thinking
Engagement and Persistence
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The design process will include these steps:
A good example of signals are "the launch of chatGPT" or "the fall of the iconic tunnel tree redwood" and good examples of drivers would be "artificial intelligence" or "climate change"
Then, identify signals (glimpses of the future we already see today) and drivers (what made the signal possible)
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2
SPRINT STEPS
3
4
Research Precedents
Interview User
Sketch Designs
Create a low-fi prototype
5
Get feedback from your user and others
6
Make a blueprint/ measured drawing
7
Create your final prototype
SPRINT MATERIALS
Cutting Mat
Cardboard
Colored Acetate
Bristol Papers (180g)
Straws
Metal Ruler
Pencil
Markers
Cutting Blade
Masking Tape
Hot Glue Gun
String
Brads
Popsicles and wooden skewers
1st
PRECEDENT RESEARCH
WHAT WE ARE DOING
WHY WE ARE DOING IT
Doing precedent research
To be inspired by interesting and innovative personal storage solutions that already exist
Look at the precedent library in the Resources tab above. There are unique storage projects there that might inspire you to think about how you'll approach the design.
After you look at the examples that are in the resources, try to find your own example to share with the class.
--> Share out with the class what you found interesting or inspiring
--> Individually, look through the precedent library in the Toolbox
--> Individually, find one additional precedent to add to the library
Human-Centered Design
2nd
USER INTERVIEW
WHAT WE ARE DOING
WHY WE ARE DOING IT
Interviewing our user/ client
To meaningfully understand what their needs and priorities are
Question Prep
Interview
A good example of signals are "the launch of chatGPT" or "the fall of the iconic tunnel tree redwood" and good examples of drivers would be "artificial intelligence" or "climate change"
Then, identify signals (glimpses of the future we already see today) and drivers (what made the signal possible)
Interview your user. This should be brief and pointed.
Think of any questions that you want to ask your user.
STEPS
Analysis
Think about what they told you. Did anything surprise you or stand out as a priority?
- What location do you see a need for a storage solution in your daily life (your desk, on your bike, your bedside, etc.)?
- What are the objects that need to be stored (be specific!).
- Are there any particular ways that you use these objects that could inform the design?
Sample Questions
3rd
BRAINSTORMING
WHAT WE ARE DOING
WHY WE ARE DOING IT
Brainstorming ideas for the personal storage solution for your user
To generate a lot of possible designs to use as a starting point
BEFORE WE START
Review the Brainstorming Guidelines + Sketching Video
The goal of brainstorming is to create a generative list of ideas - that means ideas that have lots of room to grow - for potential projects that you can continue to explore. Think of these ideas as seeds that will grow and transform into your project.
1 - ENCOURAGE WILD IDEAS
2 - SUSPEND JUDGMENT
4 - BUILD ON IDEAS
5 - BE VISUAL
3 - GO FOR QUANTITY
Wild ideas can often give rise to creative leaps.
Don’t shoot down someone else’s idea.
Aim for as many ideas as possible.
Build and expand on the ideas of others.
Sketch your ideas.
Individual Brainstorm
Group Brainstorm
A good example of signals are "the launch of chatGPT" or "the fall of the iconic tunnel tree redwood" and good examples of drivers would be "artificial intelligence" or "climate change"
Then, identify signals (glimpses of the future we already see today) and drivers (what made the signal possible)
Share your favorite idea with the class. Your teacher will collect these ideas on the whiteboard. Feel free to respond to the ideas you are hearing and build on each other's ideas.
Individually, come up with at least five versions of a solution for your user's storage needs. For each idea, sketch the basic structure and make some notes about what it would hold and how it would work.
BRAINSTORMING STEPS
4th
LOW-FIDELITY PROTOTYPING
WHAT WE ARE MAKING
WHY WE ARE MAKING IT
A low-fidelity prototype of your storage solution design
To have a version of your storage solution to test and get feedback on
Gather the materials you'll need to make your prototype
Create a quick prototype of your design (or 2 or 3!) from the materials. This shouldn't be carefully made-- it is purely to test and show you ideas to get feedback.
Think about the prototype. What are the basic structural parts? Are there any moving parts that you need to figure out the mechanisms for?
5th
Document & Reflect: Take photos of the simulated limitations and the prototype. Describe the limitations simulated, tasks explored, and design process.
10min
INSTRUCTIONS
5th
FEEDBACK
WHAT WE ARE DOING
WHY WE ARE DOING IT
Getting feedback from our user/ client and the class
To be able to improve our design before producing a final product
Share your prototype with either a selection of other groups or your whole class
Give each other feedback:
INSTRUCTIONS
- What worked well?
- What do you find interesting/ innovative in the storage solution?
- Any notes on fabrication/ material?
Share your prototype with the user you designed for.
ITERATION: Form + Function
Each time a designer makes an interation of their prototype, they're looking to improve its form, function, or both!
FORM: HOW IT LOOKS
FUNCTION: HOW IT WORKS
How could you improve the visual aspects of a hot-glued cardboard early prototype?
How could you improve the functionality of your device?
Based on the FEEDBACK you received, you are going to ITERATE on your design.
6th
BLUEPRINT/ MEASURED DRAWING
WHAT WE ARE MAKING
WHY WE ARE MAKING IT
A measured drawing: first hand-drawn and then a digital fabrication. lasercut file
To finalize design and assembly decisions and be precise about what parts are needed
INSTRUCTIONS
Before using any software, start by drawing your basic shapes on paper. Include dimensions for each part, similar to an IKEA manual, where you can see all the individual pieces clearly. This helps you plan your design and understand how the parts will fit together before modeling digitally.
Once you feel confident in your design, you can move into your chosen software to create the 2D file that will be sent to the lasercutter.
Check out the resources in the Toolbox for help with drawing a CAD file!
7th
HIGH-FIDELITY PROTOTYPING
WHAT WE ARE MAKING
WHY WE ARE MAKING IT
A high-fidelity prototype of your storage solution design
To present your final design in a clean, well-made model
INSTRUCTIONS
You will lasercut your parts and assemble them to complete your project.
Considerations:
- Be sure to take the thickness of the material you are using into account when you design the final lasercut file
- When assembling, choose a glue or joinery that will look clean. Use clamps to hold pieces in place as needed.
8th
PRESENT YOUR WORK!
Now that you've completed your prototype, show it off! Your class can decide whether to have a showcase, individual presentations, or a science-fair style installation.
When presenting, be sure to include all of your process work: sketches, interview, prototypes, etc.
END OF CHALLENGE!
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