Page 91 - Sorcha Mathews

RE-DESIGN PROJECT
In this project I learned about improving a product through user
testing. Getting a user to unbox and use a product for the first time
was an insightful strategy. The more people I got to test the product,
the more comments were made that I could work from.
I found the process of re-designing relatively easy because there
wasn’t much about the product that I had to change, and the changes
I had to make were well informed with clear directions as to where to
go with it.
While re-designing was the easy part, I found making the 3D model of
the steamer on solidworks very challenging because I had to figure
out how to use 3D sketching and lofting which was very new to me. It
took many many attempts to figure out how to make the organically
shaped parts of the steamer, but since doing so successfully I made
other organic forms with less trouble from what i learned in this
project.
RED DOT SOLIDWORKS
For this project I had to choose three products that had won a Red
Dot award and rebuild them in solidworks. One product had to be
easy, one medium difficulty and one hard. The first product i recreat-
ed was a water usage monitor. I learned how to do features like the
spiral, how to make large linear paterns and I practiced making it all
out of seperate parts which was a challenge. Secondly I made a pair
of headphones which proved to be very difficult when it came to the
headband. I learned how to use new features such as sweep and
sweep cut. The third product I attempted to make was a game con-
troller. I attempted to make this using surfaces but it proved much
too difficult due to its organic shape so I ended up makinga simpler
product instead which allowed me to practice more revolves and
leanear patterns and projecting splitlines. I am glad to say this project
has definitely improved my solidworks skills.
CULTURAL STUDIES
I found the cultural studies module very interesting in relation to
what different cultures percieve as norms and it gave me a whole new
insight into how I should design. I found the cultural studies of the
Sony walkman book very interesting. The impact such a small thing
made on multiple cultures was astounding.
MATERIAL SWATCHES COVID-19 CO-DESIGN
This project was both fun and challenging. First of all I had a hard time This project involved designing something for an individual with
deciding on which materials to try replicate, I found it difficult in particular needs. In the case of this project I decided to help my sister
particular to think of a composite material that could be effectively come up with a solution for entertaining her 5 year old at home
replicted. Also I kept coming up with “good” ideas for material during the pandemic.
swatches which proved to be too complicated or tedious to make I enjoyed the process of interviewing her and trying to look for an
such as marble. I made some swatches of this but it took too long to area in particular I could help with. It felt like investigative research
make due to having to layer the paint over and over again and and and it was an enjoyable process to confer back and forth to make
use fine detail brushes to get the desired effect. it wasn’t a practical sure she liked where my concepts were going.
idea. I found the end result highly rewarding when I came up with a solu-
I thoroughly enjoyed the process of testing ideas to see what worked tion that sparked her interest.
to make desired effects. I used a lot of salt and glue and sprinkles in
my efforts and learned some insightful things from doing so.
In the end I came up with 5 decent swatches and will definitely use
the methods of re-creating these in future.
Design for Form and Story MARKETING PROJECTS
For this project I found the research stage a bit dragged out, but in In the marketing module I learned valuable skills about how to adver-
the end it was helpful coming to a conclusion in regards to my design tise products and evaluate the probability of a products success. I
direction. I chose to design a shoe that would cause less harm to the found learning about branding very interesting learned valuable skills
environment as my area of research revolved around sustainability. I on how to generate a brand essence and why brand meaning is so
decided to try design a shoe for children that would expand as a important to customers.
childs foot grew. My initial approach towards this included possibly I learned how to create your own advertising on google ads and what
folding parts of the shoe like origami but the challenging part was makes your ad’s stand out. I learned about all of the modern ways in
folding the sole. I came to the conclusion the best option in my which products are advertised, which was heavily through social
journey to expand a shoe was to have a seperate sole that expanded media.
and seperate parts that fit into the sole as a child needed to move up I will take what i have learned from this module and use it when
a shoe size. I am extrememly pleased with the outcome and feel I put generating branding and advertising for products in the future.
a lot of effort and learning from my years in college into the project.
During this project I also leaned how to use Keyshot to create realistic
renders and found it was an extremely useful tool.
LITERATURE REVIEW
As someone who much prefers the creative part of designing I found
writing the literature review very challenging. The subject area i
decided to go into was influencer marketing towards the younger
generation. I decided on this topic because i think it is a relevant topic
for designers to consider.