Cherill Hopkins Design 2012: Week 4

This week we reviewed the 3D eco-friendly transport designs of the students in class, we then discussed Design Exploration and Design Challenges. Following this activity we researched our 3D designs.

Task 1: Experimentation: Exploring & Challenging

Work by Jacob East

Jacob created the concept of a hover skateboard powered by the wind.

Design Exploration:

The concept was good but needed further research and development to flesh out the concept drawing and operation.

Design Challenges:

No wind, no go is a challenge with the design. Also the fans used to hover the skateboard will need to vary in power depending on the weight of the person, as this is so different across a community it might be a challenge to make a one size fits all hover-board. With a fan blowing beneath you as you hover there might also be a problem with the amount of dust it creates.

Work by Cherill Hopkins

I created the "Swing Move," a large wheel using kinetic energy to move forward.

Design Exploration:

The first few options were not developed as they were not going to work or were too similar to current transport systems. The third design as detailed above is a conceptual design with limited exploration.

Design Challenges:

The problems with this system revolve around its function, how is speed controlled, how do you stop, how do you turn and is it easy to store?

Task 2: Design Exploration

My favourite concept for 3D Design is the helmet cover used to cover bicycle helmets. The cover can be used for aesthetic purposes or as a form of identification.

Two Experiments:

Option 1: Use lycra as the cover and then print on this.

http://www.e-sciconbags.com/images/copricasco.jpg?osCsid=c0d2f58e104fde60e7dca72286e92015

Option 2: Use a more flexible material that may be better suited to printing. I have gathered a few examples below ....

http://alumnifashions.com/college-bike-helmet-covers-c-607.html

This helmet cover material is 87% polyester and 13% spandex. It is water repellent, stretchable and breathable. It retails in the USA for $18.

http://www.diytrade.com/china/pd/7694062/Bicycle_Helmet_Cover.html

http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/index.cfm/product/530/helmet-cover.cfm

http://theshoppingmama.com/2010/06/tail-wags-helmet-covers-review/

http://www.oneinhundred.com/Wholesale-personalized-logoed/Bicycle_2.htm

Pros & Cons:

Option 1
Pros: Fits to the helmet well, water resistant, breathable, stretchable to fit most helmets. Can make one size fit all.
Cons: Maybe difficult to print on. Can you get lycra in different colours? Will the design be clear in colour if the background is black?

Option 2
Pros: Easier for printing? More colour varieties.
Cons: Unless it is a material that fits snuggly to the helmet it ends up looking like a shower cap on your head.. we don't need to make the helmet look worse.

Choosing & Refusing:

I'm certainly keen on the aesthetics of option 1, using lycra as it fits snuggly to the helmet. However, after discovering the polyester/ spandex option I would be keen to explore this for its printability, particularly since if comes in a divers range of colours.