Desktop Organizer Project

Project Intro

This is the intro for our project, showing the object that could be put in a desktop organizer to save space.

Design Brief

Above is our project brief, this shows what we will do and learn throughout the project.

Design Constraints

These are the constraints for our design, showing what we need for full credit.

Research

Craftmanship: 2" x 2" Cube Exercise

Before cutting and measuring the cardboard, we used an online diagram that showed the lengths of each side. This diagram helped us to clearly see the thickness of the cardboard. The thickness is 1/8", certain sides are 1 3/4" so that the entire cube will be exactly 2"*2". We used rulers to measure the cardboard and scissors to cut it.

Engineering Semester 2

Research for organizers

This design is unique as it takes the shape of a video game controller. Also, it uses the buttons as places to hold certain items like pencils, pens, etc. This design utilizes the elements of color, shape, space, and line.

Research for organizers

This design is unique because it takes the shape of an elephant, It utilizes natural parts of the element, like the trunk, to hold the phone, and creates holes on the back to hold pencils and pens. This design utilizes the elements of shape, form, space, and line.

Research for organizers

This design is unique because it takes the shape of a whale. It utilizes the blowhole and mouth of the whale as places to hold pencils and a phone. This design utilizes the elements of space, shape, and line.

Idea and Brainstorming

First draft Idea (drawing)

This idea came from the picture of the Nintendo controller above, since I enjoy gaming, I thought that it would be cool to make a video game controller desktop organizer. This design resembles an Xbox One controller. This design uses the elements of line, shape, form, and space. This design also uses the principles of repetition and pattern with the circles. Also, the principle of emphasis is used on the compartment marked "7" as it is different from all of the others.

Final Drawing (3D drawing)

Since I worked with cardboard, this design isn't able to curve like a real video game controller, so in order to give it height, I used a flat base and built it up from that. The model will lay on its base, so that's why the 3-d aspect is shown at the bottom instead of the top of the drawing, as that will be the front-facing side. The model will be 9 1/4" wide, 6 1/4" long, and 3 1/4" high. In this drawing you can see the elements of line, shape, form, and space; and the principles of repetition, pattern, and emphasis.

Final Drawing (Front, side, or top view)

This is the top view of the model, with a length of 6 1/4" and a width of 9 1/4". I chose this view because it was simple to draw and it would be easy for a viewer to know what they're looking at in this view. In this drawing, you can see the elements of line, and shape, and the principles of repetition, pattern, and emphasis.

Prototyping

This model is about 3 1/4 inches high, 9 1/4 inches wide, and 6 1/4 inches long. This design uses the elements of line, shape, form, and space. This design also uses the principles of repetition and pattern with the circles. Also, the principle of emphasis is used on the plus-shaped compartment as it is different from all of the others. To make it look better for the final model, I will paint it, add color, and make the circles and cuts cleaner. I will also turn the phone-holding compartment into a secret compartment.

Final draft Model (View 1)

Final draft Model (View 2)

Final Model (View 3)

This model is about 3 1/4 inches high, 9 1/4 inches wide, and 6 1/4 inches long. This design uses the elements of line, shape, form, and space. This design also uses the principles of repetition and pattern with the circles. Also, the principle of emphasis is used on the plus-shaped compartment as it is different from all of the others. In addition, I changed the compartment that can hold my phone and calculator into a secret compartment.

With the previous model, I got feedback about certain cuts looking messy, especially with the circles and the connected cardboard pieces used for height. I created a new top by using the box cutter to make cleaner cuts, and I painted over it, making certain "mess" look less noticeable.

Testing

Final Model Image with items

My items helped me with my design because I knew how big certain compartments had to be. I used the marker and other circular items to draw out my circles before cutting them. I also sketched around my phone so I would know how big the secret compartment's hole would have to be.

Evaluation

To create my desktop organizer, I used the design process. The steps of the design process are Research, Idea & Brainstorming, Prototyping, and Testing. In the research step, I made a 2" x 2" cardboard cube, this was to get used to measuring and working with cardboard. In addition, I researched unique desktop organizers in order to get inspiration. In the idea and brainstorming step, I made a first draft drawing of my idea, from there I refined my sketch and settled on the measurements for my model. In the prototyping step, I made a first draft model, received constructive criticism, then proceeded to create a final model while taking the criticism into account. In the testing step, I used the final model and put my items into it to see if they fit and if the model worked practically.

I used multiple elements and principles in my design. My design uses the elements of line, shape, form and space and it uses the principles of emphasis, repetition, and pattern. The elements of shape and form are used because my design is a unique 3-dimensional shape, the various compartments use curved and straight lines, and because my design uses holes and the dimension of depth, it has space. The principles of pattern and repetition are used with the circles, particularly the 4 on the rightmost side of the top face of the model, and the principle of emphasis is used on the plus-shaped compartment as it stands out from the rest of the circular ones.

During this project, there were ups and downs. I enjoyed the whole process of building this desktop organizer because I worked my way through problems and overcame them. This process was also challenging because of the problems that I had to overcome. One of my biggest challenges was trying to cut the circular compartments before I had a box cutter. If I could change anything, I would try to make it able to stand up in an effort to conserve space, maybe by having the items stick to something inside so that they don't fall out.

Game Controller Project

Project Title

The image above is the title picture/introduction to our project.

Project Goals

The image above shows the goals for our project, what we should accomplish and learn.

Project Constraints

The image above shows the rules and constraints for our project.

Research

I used this image for inspiration. Although I likely won't be using a design that is similar to this, this inspired me to think outside of the box as I've never seen a design like this before. This helped me think of how creative and different I can be with my controller.

Idea Development and Brainstorming

Four Controller Ideas

I want my controller to be comfortable, innovative, and unique. The first and third designs are innovative because of the palm buttons and the adjustable grips. I can also incorporate those features into the 2nd and 4th designs, which have unique shapes.

First Draft Drawing

This is the first draft drawing for my game controller. I chose to continue with the palm button idea, although I am applying it to generic controller designs. This idea can be adapted to unique designs as well, depending on the placement of the palms on the controller.

Final Controller Drawing

This is the final draft drawing for my video game controller. I didn't change much from my first draft drawing, but I changed the form of the palm buttons a bit so that they curved with the palms and the controller. Also, this drawing is done on a 1:1 scale, so it has the same length and width as my model.

Prototyping

First Prototype Controller View 1

First Prototype Controller View 2

To make this controller, I used cardboard, a pencil, scissors, an exacto knife, and a hot glue gun. One challenge that I face while making this was ensuring that my wires stayed connected, especially after I had shut the box closed with hot glue. For my final prototype, I will add color and make it look less messy.

Final Model Controller View 1

Final Model Controller View 2

My main changes to the design were adding color and making it look neater.

Video of your Controller working

To the left is a video of my game controller working in its first draft. I tried to get a video of it working with the final model, but it was extremely inconsistent, sometimes it worked and every time I tried to record it, it wouldn't work. However, everything is wired up correctly.

Testing

Self Assessment 1

My design uses unity and pattern through the circular buttons, the palm buttons, and the plus-shaped buttons. The entire design also uses pattern as it is symmetrical. I plan to color the buttons like how they would be on an Xbox controller. I'm not sure how to make my design all that comfortable with cardboard, although it is not uncomfortable now. The unique feature of my design is the palm buttons. The actual shape of my game controller is not unique, but that is because I was just applying my palm button idea to it, the palm buttons can apply to many unique designs depending on the placement of the palms on those controllers.

Evaluation

Final Model Self Assessment

This project was a good learning experience. It was my first time wiring buttons and being able to see the result in the applications that I use regularly. My biggest success was seeing my buttons work on my computer. My biggest challenge was my buttons working inconsistently, especially after I made the final model. Another challenge that I faced was ensuring that I would always be able to click my buttons once I closed the controller, I had to stack cardboard inside the controller so that I could use the pressure to click my buttons. Lastly, I also faced a challenge with including four buttons, because the positioning of my buttons and the breadboards didn't really allow me to add any more.

If I could add anything, it would be more buttons and joysticks, I don't know how to make joysticks, but I could add more buttons if there were smaller breadboards or something like that. It would be really cool if I could add the bumper or trigger buttons because I think those work slightly differently than the ones I have now.

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