Z Blog

Week 2 — Assignment 2.1 DESIGN PROBLEM DEFINITION

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.

chair_course003

WEEK 1 — Assignment 1.1 Good Design, Assignment 1.2 Find the Gap

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.

cellphone case IMG_20131015_170837

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):

chair

Assignment 1.4  DESIGN FOR YOU

visual expression of the design: Adjustable Exterior Mirror

windowmirror

 

photograph of prototype: My window, and room interior:

DSC_0378DSC_0369

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

DSC_0375DSC_0372

 

MY GAP — Design: Creation of Artifacts in Society via Coursera.org

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

年に一回書いたららくですね。もうニューヨークに帰ってアメリカン生活に戻ってしまった。漢字の読みはもっとひどくなったけど。まだ仕事見つけていませんが、とってもいい新しい友達作ったことができました。

ちょ~う久しぶりだ!!!!大変申し訳ございませんが、ちょっと忙しくてブログの時間は最近あんまりなかったです。だんだん日本語のしゃべり方が少しよくなったけど、読めるのはまだまだですね。
明日、実家に変えて、仕事面接うけます。ニューヨークで国語のteacherになるための特別プログラムに入って見たいと思います。十日間だけでみじかすぎけど、しょうがないんです。学期とちゅうで行くことはちょっとしつれいじゃないか?と思ってたけど。優しい校長と教徒先生が年休くれましたのでかんしゃしてます。さああ。。。面接どうなるか。。。?がんばります!

Wed 17 september 2008 今ウブントゥを使っています。Anthyと言うソフトで日本語の文字ができます。 学校の職員室のまどから江迎町と佐々町の間にある山のきりを見ています。明日台風が来るだそうです。 今週月曜日のニューズにLehman Brothersがしずんだことが出てきました。その上AIGとMerrill Lynchはたいへん困っていること。そこに帰りたくなくなった。

wed 7 november

昨日いのつき緒小学校ですごいことみました。普通に4時半か5時ぐらい出発しますが、昨日7Little Goats and the Wolfと言うげきのビデオをYouTubeで探していたから、ちょっと長くなって6時にでました。先生たちと親が自分で学校の掃除していました!びっくりした!

ものすごく久しぶりですね。 最近ちょういそがしかったですけど、二ヶ月ひどいね。ちょっとふくしゅうします。英語会衆がすこし大きくなりました。かわい い夫婦が二つ佐世保に着きました!二人は横浜、もう二人は和歌山から来ました。あと一人のとても明るくておもしろいイギリス人のきょうだいも来ました。