MIAD Industrial Design Project
The Idealist BoxPhotoshop Mind Map foam core
20in x 30in December 2019 Exhibition textI want to create an affordable and easy way to carry all the art supplies you need to any place you need them. If you have an Idea that you don't want to be forgotten by the time you get home or off the bus, This carrying case designed like a tackle box that even comes with adjustable backpack strap variants, will be perfect to make sure that the ideas that go on in your and my head will be out when you need them.
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Empathy Chart |
P.O.V StatementWe Met:
A professional illustrator/ teacher at a summer program, and me an aspiring illustrator/idealist. We Were Amazed To Learn: When you need certain materials for a project idea, and you have to scrounge your office or your home just to maybe find the materials you randomly needed for the art you wanted to create. It Would Make A Real Difference If We Could: Design something to hold all the art supplies you need for a project, such as paints, pencils, markers, and pens, but all in the same carrying case or object and can be accessed at ease. basically a place to store all materials. |
Inspiration
One of my big inspirations is the man who started this project in its entirety Larry Murphy of MIAD itself, I found inspiration in the work that he showed us, and the sketches he presented to us, as they were really fun to look at. especially all of the exercises that we did in the first few meetings with him, trying to get us to just be children playing with legos basically, with no wrong answers. It was freeing and fun to see what we could come up with without a filter. Not to mention the actual work and ingenuity that goes into the work that murf creates, I really enjoy the ideas he brings to the class and I love working with him. For some other inspiration I would put what I actually was basing my idea on in its entirety! I was very inspired immediately from wanting to design this carrying case, and I thought of making it like one of those old metal lunch boxes from the 1910's-30's when construction workers used to eat on the beams of the giant skyscrapers being built. I don't really know why that was the first thing that popped into my head, it just was a really fun and interesting way to get the idea out there. While the final product was more like a fold-able cabinet tackle box, I still loved this original Idea.
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Planning sketches of product idea
The first sketch concept was a lunchbox idea, it would have a single handle at the top, for easy lifting and accessibility. It would have a compartment at the bottom that would allow you to put a 8"x 11" sketch book in it. on the sides there are two dials, which controls the conveyor belt that shifts around that has all of the supplies and materials you would need in side that box. It would be about one foot by one foot by one foot, to keep it good for storage and as accessible as possible and would be made of aluminum, and steel, so it would keep from rusting, and can take a beating
The second Idea I had for a design was like a portfolio bag, something like a soft almost canvas like material, so it can bend and contort to anywhere youd like to bring it, it comes with a shoulder sling, and a shorter sling so you can hook it into some other objects so it stays hung and stable. Then there is the pockets on the outside of it to store materials, while the standard giant pouch on the inside can hold all your papers, canvases, and other materials you need to create art on the go. I was thinking a 2'x 1.5'x 1' canvas bag would suit this well so it is easily storable, and you can keep a good amount of sizable canvases and papers
the third sketch idea was my favorite, as it unfolded into a more filled box, that took inspiration from the multilayered nature of the tackle box that is used for fishing. I like this one so much because it seems the most practical and takes the first sketch idea and expands it and makes it much better in my opinion, I feel that it makes it a very compact but also expansive concept that can be used by a lot of people, not just artists. I was also thinking of a different idea where it has a latch on the back that connects to and rests on a holder that can be worn on someones back to make it so you don't have to carry it everywhere.
This sketch is an up close of the sketch above, where it shows the size and the concept for the handle mechanism, so I can properly show off how it works
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Process
Experimentation
Throughout my planning and concept phases, I had many ideas, each one was to tackle a certain aspect that I had to overcome with the creation of this project. Each sketch from my ideas was a form of me experimenting in the different ways I could possibly create a solution to the problem I was trying to come up with an answer to. starting first with a basic design premise of carrying case that can effectively take art supplies from point A to point B while also being versatile enough to be opened and closed on the go so someone can draw while they are on the bus maybe or in a plane or some place that inspiration can strike. Starting the ideas off strong was the metal industrial lunchbox idea, which consisted of a conveyor belt idea that was rotated by a dial on the right, and having an aluminum/steel casing with a drawer to hold a sketch book. This experimental idea would be the founding basis of my final idea which is the Idealist's Tool Box. The second idea that was experimental was the portfolio bag, that could sling around ones shoulder, and also at the same time be used to carry all forms of medium supplies and tools effectively for the person who maybe had an idea. The final one being the final product which is my favorite combination of the first idea and a tackle box, which made a metal fold-able tackle box to store all the supplies you'd need when trying to create art on the go.
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Process
The first part of this process to create this project was to ideate and empathize with someones problem that I could relate to. This problem was how can I get all of my supplies from one place to another effectively, while possibly using the materials on the go. After this part, we had to create an empathy chart which helped understand how to go about solving this problem effectively, starting with how we feel about the issue. The next step afterwards was to create some very basic ideas that stemmed throughout the process of making a mind map which connected all things to the central idea or problem. the next logical step was to sketch all of the designs that I had in my head, and to get out all of the ideas out on paper, but I would not be doing this with just pencil, as I really had to get my mind going. Using blue and pink to really accent all of the parts of my contraption, It really kept me interested and kept me going throughout the whole project. Once this was done, we met with some representatives that were real designers within the world to give us critiques based on the products we have produced. Once we edited the projects after putting all of the sketches and inspirations together we created the final Photoshop document of the idea, which is to be presented to actual people at the MIAD College. I am incredibly excited to have this opportunity.
Sculptural Component
Dimensions : L: 15" W: 9" H: 12"
Some dimensions changed to better reflect the box I used to create this prototype, But I still think that I will role with these new dimensions as I feel they actually could fit more supplies this way.
Some dimensions changed to better reflect the box I used to create this prototype, But I still think that I will role with these new dimensions as I feel they actually could fit more supplies this way.
Construction Process
I started with a basic set of materials, using compact cosplay foam, although I wish I had used a different material, like foam core etc. Hot glue to hold it together and a cardboard box for the base material under the foam.
I will use a metallic Red spray paint to paint on the colors I would like it to hold.
I cut the foam to get specific measurements with a box cutter and hot glue the foam to the sides of the cardboard box base so it all stuck together. From here I created a handle from the scraps of the larger pieces, and utilizing these pieces I wanted to create little details such as hinges, and "compartments"
I will use a metallic Red spray paint to paint on the colors I would like it to hold.
I cut the foam to get specific measurements with a box cutter and hot glue the foam to the sides of the cardboard box base so it all stuck together. From here I created a handle from the scraps of the larger pieces, and utilizing these pieces I wanted to create little details such as hinges, and "compartments"
Compare/Contrast
Similarities
1. The design is about the same with the dimensions 2. The opening mechanism is similar enough 3. They are made of the same material (Aluminum/Steel) 4. They both are built to store a certain amount of stuff Differences 1. Mine has a much better designed and adjustable handle with a grip 2. The base of mine has a traction rubber where it doesn't slide off of surfaces 3. The opening mechanism opens the face of the container to unfold rather than just open the top 4. There is a sliding mechanism on the bottom to put in a sketch book 5. Mine holds much different materials and is much bigger than the original lunchbox |
Reflection
Overall I think I really did well on this project, I really feel confident in my ability to create a good solution to a common problem within the art community, I think there are some rough patches that I could iron out, and even design the actual product better, to be more accessible to people, and to really enforce the "get your idea out now" mentality. By maybe making it smaller and more mobile, like something to put in your pocket, but that would still be hard to design. Now in the overall work ethic, I think i've been fairly consistent and have tried my heart out in making this products upbringing the most consistent experience I could bu doing all the deadlines and work on time, and staying passionate about it. The final product of the actual item has yet to be made, but as of right now the poster looks very good in my opinion, the only thing that I left out that I wish I didnt was the mind map, and also the empathy map, but I can luckily put that on this website so all is not lost there. I think the consistency of the actual poster is fairly well constructed and I think I stayed on the T with my design of a usable carrying case considering I started with just a metal lunch box as an idea.
ACT Responses
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork:
The inspiration was the first thing that I thought of as a solution to he problem i wanted to solve for one of my teachers as well as myself.
What is the overall approach (pov) the author (from research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
well with Murphy it was to just create things to better peoples lives, and make things more simple and easier to use, which inspired me to create what I did to make my life easier in the long run
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
that creativity is not only easy, it is also fun to just let your mind wander and to put pencil to paper and make something to help society in any way you can.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
My inspiration research was based souly on different ways to hold certain small to medium sized objects in this sense, art supplies, which I think it succeeded
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
that all forms of carrying cases are viable for many different types of work, such as construction, art, business, ETC.
The inspiration was the first thing that I thought of as a solution to he problem i wanted to solve for one of my teachers as well as myself.
What is the overall approach (pov) the author (from research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
well with Murphy it was to just create things to better peoples lives, and make things more simple and easier to use, which inspired me to create what I did to make my life easier in the long run
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
that creativity is not only easy, it is also fun to just let your mind wander and to put pencil to paper and make something to help society in any way you can.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
My inspiration research was based souly on different ways to hold certain small to medium sized objects in this sense, art supplies, which I think it succeeded
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
that all forms of carrying cases are viable for many different types of work, such as construction, art, business, ETC.
Bibliography
Bramen, Lisa. “The History of the Lunch Box.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 31 Aug. 2012, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-history-of-the-lunch-box-98329938/.
Larry Murphy | Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. https://www.miad.edu/faculty/larry-murphy.
Larry Murphy | Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. https://www.miad.edu/faculty/larry-murphy.