Communal Power Module
The Brief
“The modern workspace, and the way in which we work is forever evolving. A shared space with an informal character to promote and inspire creativity.”
“Design a power module to be used in these communal/ breakout areas.”
Research
Research involved looking into existing power modules, both standard and communal to see what was already in the market. Alongside this, research into the environment in which the power module will be used was carried out to understand how the end user may use the product.
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Using this research and the brief a mind map could be created, acting as a potential source of inspiration for the designs.
Design, Development and Final Design
Using the research, mind map and creating a basic design specification then allowed a series of initial ideas to be created. These initial ideas explored the 3D form as well as basic functionality of the idea.
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3 concepts were then chosen for development:
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Concepts 1 and 2, more straightforwardly, focus on developing the details,
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Concept 3 uses the idea of controlled convergence to explore the form more, as well as the details.
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Pugh’s datum matrix was used for concept selection, comparing the designs to an existing power module, against a predetermined criteria.
The final design provides a more in depth development with a thought put towards potential materials and manufacturing methods.
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CAD and Rendering
Further development of the final design was done through 3D modelling using Creo Parametric. Some of the main focus related to further defining the overall shape as well as how the inner and outer sections would fit together and hinge while allowing wires to pass through the overall module.
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Further focus was then placed on how individual elements would fit together in order to allow easy access for potential maintenance or to secure internal electronic modules. Here snap hooks and lip and groove joints were used.
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Rendering of the CAD models was then done on Keyshot.
Skills Used and Gained
Background research;
Concept generation and evaluation techniques;
Hand sketching and rendering;
Digital sketching and rendering - Autodesk Sketchbook​;
Creo Parametric;
Keyshot;
Communication and presentation skills.​