Refined problem statement: “In what way might I utilize a reflective mirror outside of my window to increase the levels of natural light in my room?”

list of needs.

Must be sturdy

Must be waterproof!

simple

Easy to remove!

Adaptable to surroundings

 Must not consume electricity!

 Must be reasonably priced

 Must not block outside view

 Must not create blinding glare inside room

 Safety -- Must not get hot due to sunlight

   No parts should degrade /fail due to exposure to sunshine

   No any sharp edges

:

1. The concept I’m pursuing is my original concept here, except for the holes:
   
2. I showed my concepts to my husband, who shares the space in question with me. He agreed that the current iteration works the best.

Selection Matrix:

After I built my prototype, I remembered that the gap was for ME, not commercial production! Somehow I got distracted thinking about Professor Karl’s scooter and injection molds and all kinds of huge ideas for a consumer product. So I don’t think I’ll actually USE the selection matrix I made!  🙂

 

Prototype photos:

I was excited about my periscope idea (concept H,) but I after actually trying to build it, I saw that there was less light below my window and more above. So I couldn’t attach it with hooks. I made some “rope” from plastic shopping bags and tried to hang it. It did increase the interior light level, but only very slightly.

I found that my periscope concept would require a much taller, larger box in order to produce enough light to make a difference in my room.

 

 

For concept F, I abandoned the tension rod since I could not craft hinges strong enough. I ended up playing around with the mirrors and eventually returned to my original concept from Week 1. It worked very well and really brightened the room noticeably.

 

Click to enlarge the image.

2.1 DESIGN PROBLEM DEFINITION (P) – refine the definition of the design problem using the five-whys methodology.

In what way might I…

 

contribute to a more smooth family relationship

improve performance of daily tasks

improve my sleep cycle and general well-being


*increase the levels of natural light in my room

create a “daylighting” device (doesn’t cut holes in walls or ceilings)

install reflective mirrors outside of window

2.2 USER NEEDS (P) – 3 points

1.  a refinement of your one-sentence problem statement. — “To increase the levels of natural light in my room using a, sturdy, externally-mounted reflective device”
2. A list of at least 30 user needs.

3. Identification of one or more latent needs with an exclamation point (!).

Reflective Natural Light Enhancer

Must be sturdy

1. Must survive windy conditions

2. !Must be waterproof!

3. Must be animal-proof (cats, squirrels)

4. Must not damage building facade

 

Must be simple

5. Easy to install

6. !Easy to remove!

7. Relatively lightweight

8. Lanyards/pulls cannot get tangled

9. Must be easy to clean

 

Adaptability to surroundings

10. Must fit many window types

11. Must be easily adjustable at different times of daylight

12. Must not need constant adjusting

13. Must not disturb nearby neighbors

14. Must not protrude farther from building than a regular air conditioner

 

Cost

15. !Must not consume electricity!

16. Must be reasonably priced

 

Must be aesthetically pleasing

17. Must not block outside view

18. Must not create blinding glare inside room

19. Must not be ugly

20. Must not look too cheap

21. Should not color fade due to sunlight

 

Safety

22. Must not get extremely hot due to sunlight

23. No parts should melt due to sun’s heat

24. No parts should degrade and fail due to exposure to sunshine

25. Must not have any sharp edges

26. Should not entrap birds who view their own reflection

 

Logistical/Retail Issues

27. Should fit easily into a small car

28. Should be easy to carry as one package/one-handed

29. Item’s purpose should be clear by looking at it

30. Should not require assembly (only installation)

 

 

2.3 VISUAL EXPRESSION II – 2D SKETCHES (V) –

•    A sketch of a chair from the top view, front view and side view. Also sketch one cross section of some portion of the same chair. Compose these four sketches on one sheet. Label the views.

Assignment 1.1 Good Design

This wallet-style cellphone case (Amazon link) protects my phone AND saves me time otherwise spent digging in my purse for cards or money.

Assignment 1.2 Find the Gap

MY TEN GAPS:
*1. Increase natural light in my apartment
2. Develop motivation system for studying Kanji characters
3. Deal with “doorblockers” on the subway
4. Match my personality type to appropriate employment
5. Develop a system to automate my file backups
6. Find a way to use Facebook only sporadically, yet not alienate some friends who are heavy users
7. Produce 50 greeting cards in less than 3 hours or as swiftly as possible
8. Create a logo for my Etsy page
9. Find a better anniversary gift reminder system
10. Develop a rewards system for exercise

Assignment 1.3  VISUAL EXPRESSION I

Chair sketch (click to enlarge):

Assignment 1.4  DESIGN FOR YOU

visual expression of the design: Adjustable Exterior Mirror

 

photograph of prototype: My window, and room interior:

Prototype mirror added outside window, and resulting slight change in light level:

 

A device which will increase the amount of natural light entering my apartment.

The gap I’ve chosen meets the course project criteria because

-I experience its effects daily

-some of my friends also experience it

-I believe I can research this gap and develop a prototype solution within 8 weeks

Edit 8 Jan 2013 – This blog was started as an assignment in the Coursera class:

Design: Creation of Artifacts in Society

by Karl T. Ulrich, University of Pennsylvania