Step 8: Visualise

During the whole project I had been trying to decide what the literal visual translation of what the concept was. I had started with the visualisation of data with QR, shot, bar and morse code as well as braille but as my design matured so did my taste in what the visual should be. I began to think about the idea of finding knowledge and one phrase stuck in my head. Seek and you will find. It made me think that this knowledge that has been covered up should only be achieved by those who deserved it. Curiosity would be rewarded. My idea headed towards the simplistic with an idea of just using a stamp on the outside that said 'Behind Closed Doors'. Its simplicity was powerful and matched the theme well. No hidden information would be kept in the most extravagant case. I felt a great sense of rightness as to how this project turned out. The pieces of this puzzle just seemed to fit

Step 7: A few minor speed bumps on the way

Well I managed to get the 5 copies printed off and quickly had the first one put together but as with all great designs you quickly fint the one thing you managed to overlook. When I measured out the shapes in illustrator I had complete faith in my mental maths abilities but it seems that it was not to be so flawless. Once completed, with the disk inside, the container would only close to within 5 mm of sealing. This was because of a miscalculation of the centerpoint of the arc on one of the sides.

This essentially meant I had 5 unusable cases but by applying a little bit of problem solving skills I realised i could just shorten the offending piece by 5mm on its outside edge allowing the package to close properly.

Crisis adverted the thoughts turned to what design would make up the outside of the case

Laser Cutter

Step 6: The second prototype

Seeing as the first prototype went so well I decided it was time to attempt to lasercut the packaging to get a much cleaner finish. A couple of hours later and a few difficulties on illustrator and I came up with the component layers that I thought i would need for it to be an effective product. I decided to cut it out and see for myself. After doing this I put my attempted to effectively glue my piece together. From this prototype I learnt several things: First of all was that glue was not going to be the best adhesive to use as it took far too long to dry and there was the possibility of parts moving out of place. Second and probably the most important was that the center which was the key area for the locking mechanism was bending inwards on itself because of a lack of support towards the center.

From these issues I modified the central pieces to extend outwards to the center to give it more support and replaced the glue with a double sided tape substitute which will have just about the same amount of strength in this situation. The final models should come out perfect now.

Step 5: 3D printing

So I ha the idea in my head of still 3D printing my case to make things easier for myself. I designed myself some new CAD models of a new design that would be more space efficient and far more like what a real product would be. I set out early in the morning to talk to the guys at the rapid prototyping lab about whipping out a quick copy for me, but as all things go this wasn't to be. Talking to them they had a little chuckle about my design saying ideas wise it was good but practically it would be much easier to just make it from card or acrylic. Turns out the only time you would want to use the printer is on none cuboid or circular shapes. There was really just no point in spending that much money.

Now this got me thinking. The design I had come up with could essentially be broken down into layers which could be cut separately and stuck together to create the shape i wanted. I set about with this new directive to make a quick prototype to check the plausibility of my idea. It turned out this would be the stepping stone to the production of my final project.

Step 4: Today I had an epiphany

A few days ago I had someone comment on my project. They asked what was going to be done with all the space on the inside of the box. After this I thought to myself for a long time about how it would really work out and I realised that I had forgotten 3 years of graphics schooling. I had been designing something that may have looked good visually but feel down in all other areas of design. It did not fit well with anything ergonomically or anthropometrically  and would definitely never be cost effective. With these thoughts in mind I have decided to change the way I will visualise the concept and make a much more stream lined and useful product.

Step 3: CAD Modelling

Early models in Solids works went well and it wasn't long before I had a decent outcome drawn up. Here are some of the first outcome drawings.

Step 2: Brainstorm

Now that have the idea and concept behind my work I have started work on some designs that I feel emulate the concept. I started with the idea of what knowledge and information really meant to me. It led me to the idea that information in this age is suspended in space and all it takes for us to get it is reach out our hands and grab it. This being achieved via the internet or by going to a library. Going on this train of thought I came up with some initial sketches that had the disk suspended in place by chains or spikes. 


The idea of the cover up brought about the other half of my design which was essentially a puzzle box which made access to the information difficult to achieve. To get in you would have to beat the challenge. The shape itself a cube would represent data in the old style sort of like the tv show reboot.


Designs on the sides of the crate would be based around forms of data that have appeared throughout Shotcode, QR, morse, braille and Barcode are possibilites I have thought of so far

Step 1: Choosing The Audio

As we ending a week of the theory of design we received a new brief that caused both some issues and openings of opportunities for me.

Brief

• Conceive and design a packaging system for audio content distribution. 

• Manufacture at least 5 identical versions of the system. 

The design should articulate core values / concepts related to the audio, and 

use materials and technologies that are appropiate to packaging design.

This is project is to be completed individually however you should seek input from your peers to help 

develop and refine you work.

As our Aural terrains installation had no recordings because of privacy issues it opened up a whole load of possibilities to do some design for other groups projects. This is an opportunity to put myself directly in the position of a contract designer. I am effectively working on another persons idea for them. 

I discussed with many of the other groups but eventually settled on the "Behind Closed Doors" soundscape as it was inspired by the idea of conspiracies and cover of of knowledge that should be known by everybody. I have to mention the minds behind this part of the project were Chris, Ryan, Jared, Lee and Ben and the soundscape comes from their hard work.

Behind Closed Doors by Lee J Simpson