Pre-School Storage Cupboard
The Brief
As part of my A-level assessment I was tasked with designing and producing a product that solved a solution. The scope for the project was left open and allowed me to source a project of my own choosing.
After asking family and friends about any problems that they were having/ seeing, I saw an opportunity to create a storage solution for a local pre-school, being used both indoors and outdoors.
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NB. The project has been revisited since graduating from university, with 3D CAD work, rendering and digital graphic work being completed. All other work seen was completed during the actual completion of the project.
Research
Research for the project included:
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Looking into the existing storage solution;
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Looking into the user environment;
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Assessing existing storage solutions;
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Communication with the pre-school staff to understand the issues they were experiencing;
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Anthropometrics.
Concept Design
The initial concept design explored forms in 2D and basic 3D taking inspiration mainly from architecture, nature and existing products. As the concept stage progressed focus was then put on visualising these initial forms as storage solutions.
Development
The development phase took a number of the initial forms, seen previously and developed them further as storage solutions. More consideration was put into finer details such as how things would be stored and secured as well as putting a thought towards how the storage solution could provide an 'entertainment/ learning' aspect.
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After speaking with the staff to gauge their initial reactions to the developments, development 1 was considered further, taking into account the feedback. This mainly related to creating a shorter, more stable solution.
Final Design and Development
The final design created features a large internal storage solution allowing up to 6 plastic boxes used by the pre-school to be stored. While this number was the same as that on the existing storage frame, the proposed solution excels in terms of strength and stability. A flimsy, tubular, metal frame would be replaced by a strong, wooden structure, with a more aesthetically pleasing and interesting form.
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The proposed final design also means that the storage solution has multiple functions, allowing the children and staff to use it as a entertainment/ educational tool. A game on the front door, a chalkboard on the side and ample room on the backside of the unit mean the solution can be a centre piece for learning.
Before the final design was created physically, it was further developed, particularly considering dimensions, assembly and material. Marine plywood would be the chosen material, providing ease of mind when the unit is being used outdoors and assembly of the unit would be done with dowel and screws allowing the pre-school to dismantle the unit easily, should the need arise.
Graphic Design
The graphic design for the front of the storage solution needed to be eye catching, colourful and playful. A design using nature and wildlife was created to fulfil this need, utilising bright colours to stand out. It is envisaged that during production of the unit the design would either be directly painted/ printed onto the wooden door, or a vinyl sticker would be stuck onto the door.
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During the project the hand sketch was used as a reference in order to draw on to vinyl sticker and then cut out. The digital design has been completed, using Photoshop, since the completion of the project.
CAD
To further visualise the final design in it's 3D form along with the graphical elements, a CAD assembly was created using Creo Parametric and rendered using Keyshot.
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This allows the key details relating to dimensions and positioning to be fully realised and any issues resolved before moving into the production of the proposed solution.
Production
Using the dimensions decided upon during the research and development phases, along with the use of simple workshop machinery and hand tools, the storage solution could be produced. The main considerations during the production were to ensure that large, industrial castors were used to ensure each of movement and stability as well as ensuring the locking hinges for the side door provided enough resistance against the pressure of using the chalkboard. While the hinges were successful, testing of the finished unit outdoors showed that larger castors were needed to ensure smooth transitions between environments.
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Another key factor related to applying the graphic to the front door. For this iteration of the unit, it was decided that the graphic would be cut out of vinyl sticker and layered up to create the design. The main reasoning for this was that the graphic would last for a longer period of time, removing the risk of paint chipping with usage. While the sticker lasted initially, once the weather changed and it became sunny, issues started to become apparent. The direct heat caused the sticker to shrink and therefore peal, meaning were the unit to be produced again, another solution would be explored.
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While produced in 2013, the storage solution is still being used in 2018 (albeit without the front graphic) showing its quality and strength as a storage unit.
Skills Used and Gained
Background research;
Concept generation,
Creo Parametric;
Keyshot;
Photoshop;
Basic workshop skills (hand tools, band saw, hand router, jigsaw, finishing techniques).