Monday, 10th of October 2011 - From in the context

It is approaching the time when the product needs to be explored further to the point of CAD and form exploration. With this there had to be some things to consider- for example: the context in which the product will be placed, does it suit the application, does the form invite the user to use the product...?

For starters we need to consider our user, and what their collaborative or individual workspace might look like...

Image: Uni student work space

Something like this image is what comes to mind: especially when we consider the original aim of "burning the candle at both ends". We can observe the time of day being at night, what is on the screen being what looks to be work or some kind, the warm dimmed lighting suggesting possibly late at night not wanted to keep others up, and the feet up meaning the only motivation this person has is to procrastinate by taking photos of his feet on his workstation...

So how can we fit our product into this context..?

The following sketches show some form exploration as to how we can fit the product into the context as well as meet with the functional requirements:

Sketch: Looking at how to incorporate the magnetic levitation into the clear outer casing

Sketch: Incorporating the protection into the magnetic levitation support

Sketch: Protection from flame as well as support???

Sketch: having the fan spin on top of the magnetic levitation rather than hang below???

Primarily the form will be following the function of the product as the system must work harmoniously to create the desired effects. However, these considerations must be taken to allow the products aesthetics to suitably fit into the context. To put this into a viable process, the main mechanisms will be modeled in CAD to allow for tolerances and allowances in the design.. so the form can then fit around these mechanisms to allow for a fully functional product without hindrances from the form.

As the main part of the product will be the base and the mechanism to allow the gas release, this will be modeled first to determine the approximate size that the overall product will need to be. After this has been completed and simulations have been run to determine feasibility of manufacturing as well as full functionality, the form will be modeled around this, with strong considerations into the environmental aesthetic appeal as well as the symbolism behind the from in its specific context.