Design and Technology Major Design: Project Proposal

Scamper

Areas of concern

Criteria for success

How could i make the design lighter? Look into types of metal and their weight and also look at the type of wood and its weight.

How could i make it appealing to all age groups? Make the colour of the lever arch folder neutral, so kids could change and customize it while adults can leave it the default colour and it would be aesthetically pleasing.

The things that might holding me back are:

-Not much experience with working with wood.

-Not much experience with working with metal especially delicate metals.

-Avaliability of special types of wood which might need to be used.

-The money for the specialist wood or metal and the delivery times of the wood or metal

For my major design project to be successful aesthetically and functionally it will need to :

-Look aesthetically pleasing to the target audience. e.g the wood looking neat and proper and the metal working well with the wood.

-Be light in weight but structurally be able to withstand regular knocks and thuds without any deteriation.

-I want my design to be durable and at least double the life span of commercial lever arch folders.

-I want my major design to be applicable to any audience.

Areas of Investigation

For my major project i will need to research types of wood for their durability,sustainability and toughness against weather and also cost and avaliability of the wood. I will also need to research kinds of metal and see if they can hold up against the elements and if they will work well aesthectically and functionally with the wood. I must also look into the weight of the wood and metal and if it will have any effects on the students bags or even health problems with the students. I will investigate these by buying my materials and making a prototype and using it as if i would use my current lever arch folder therefore I can see and feel how it would be to be using my product.

Inspirations

I made a mind map to outline what i do in my life. It includes my hobbies, my family and school. This helped me by clearly showing what i do on a daily basis and being able to find what i wanted to do for my major design project. I also made a collage to give some visual inspiration to aid in thinking of my major project design.

Mind map

Collage

Identification of the need

I find that the commercial lever arch folders don't hold up to a normal students school life. The lever arch folders aren't built to be sustainable. They are made out of a thin type of cardboard with metal strips on the corners. The folder keeps its structural integrity for about five weeks but the usual knocks and bumps to the folder eventually start wearing the corners down and then the whole folder falls apart. So i will be making an improved lever arch folder.

Design and Technology Major Design: Project Proposal