Week 3 – 4

At the beginning of week 3, I started to develop and select design ideas that I want to carry on with.

i decided to carry forward my Tent and Radio ideas

Tent

I chose to develop my tent idea. I thought about how the tent will actually be used. the tent would have a strap for the tent to be hung from the base of a branch, this way the tent can support its vertical weight. There is also a zip down the middle of the tent so that the user can zit the tent around the tree. the bottom will be inflated for structural support as well as comfort.

This design idea benefits the user as this tent have 360 degrees of living space and the tent can withstand potential rough weather.

For further development, I took the idea a bit further. The further developed version has all the basic features as the previous one. But, this time I added s storage space at the bottom of the tent. This way user can maximise the living space up on top. The storage space is separated by the inflatable floor and a trap door with zippers. Campers can take out their essential gear and leave all the other luggage in the storage compartment, and therefore, minimise the mess within the tents.

Radio

So thinking of having a map, but how do I want users to see the world map? so I first thought that by using an LCD screen, you can project the locations of the source of the natural sound.

To develop the Radio idea, keeping the channel diel, I thought of adding some of the basic features on the radio like a CD player or a Cassette player. but then I thought that if the radio is broadcasted all around the world, then people would want to know where the sound is from. So I thought a map would really help.

Model

I finally decided to go with the Radio idea and started to model some improvements that I could be making to the product.

I cut out the shape of the radio so I can draw on it and have a good idea of where everything is, and how they can fit together. I added a CD player to see how it would fit together and then I tested with the world map. This is just to see how aesthetically they would compare.

I liked the model with the world map on as I feel that gives the product more character. So I took the 2D model and made it into 3D, this way I can see what the product may look like.

During modeling I realised that to reconnect people with nature, it would be better for the user if they wish, to find out what creature is making the noise in the radio. This way people can learn about what they are listening to, this would include basic information as their habitat and their main food source and how endangered they are. therefore, by using the product we can raise awearness to the enviromental changes that are around the world.

This is a model of simulating how the channel diel would work underneath the surface of the radio. This perticuler model did not work as there was too much friction on the rollers, therefore, the string would not operate as expected.

Final design & Prototype

I did a final design drawing, and on it, I have included the LCD screen for the animal identification. And instead of an LCD screen for the map too, I went with the design where there is just a lot of small LED lights that all the LED light together makes a world map. This way it would bring down the cost of the product and shows the accurate position of where the sounds are from. The product will also be made out of FSC approved wood, this was the radio can maintain the characteristic of all vintage radio dose as they are all made from wood.

In this model, to simulate the LED working I made a pressure switch so that when pressed on the side, the prototype LED would light up.

Instruction booklet

I have made this instruction booklet to help the user a more in-depth guide on how to use the product.