-You have to understand the materials you are working with to get the best out of them
-Polypropylene is easy to use, keeps its shape well and is microwaveable
-To make some designs, hot plastic is injected into moulds. It solidifies quickly, and then the mould separates to release the plastic
-Almost anything can be made out of plastic
-Come up with a few ideas during ideation
-Drawings of designs need to show details
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Desk Tidy Design Brief and Ideas
Recently we went over the design brief for our next task. We are to design and make a desk tidy to suit our own reeds. After the design brief we went on a tour of the workshop and went over the machines we can use to make our desk tidy. These include a strip heater, for bending the acrylic in a certain spot, the oven, which makes the acrylic easy to bend. We can also use spade bits to drill holes in the acrylic, rather than regular drills which would crack it.
We have also started ideating. There are many colours that we can choose from, and I have decided on either red or black. Some of the things I need to store in my desk tidy are my keys, USB, headphones, phone, coins and some pens and pencils. I'm not sure on what design I'll use to make this yet, but I do have several ideas. Hopefully I will finalize my design before next week so that I can start in the workshop before the term ends (:
We have also started ideating. There are many colours that we can choose from, and I have decided on either red or black. Some of the things I need to store in my desk tidy are my keys, USB, headphones, phone, coins and some pens and pencils. I'm not sure on what design I'll use to make this yet, but I do have several ideas. Hopefully I will finalize my design before next week so that I can start in the workshop before the term ends (:
Monday, March 12, 2012
Evaluation
Function
My lamp solved the problem that was presented. It works effectively and efficiently as a small LED desk lamp. The function of the lamp could be improved by making it with a switch so that it doesn’t have to be turned off form the wall.
Aesthetics
The design of my lamp is simple, but effective. Its shape causes it to give off enough light to easily illuminate work on a desk, without shining into your eyes. In my opinion, my lamp looks nice as the style and colours are not elaborate.
Ergonomics
My lamp is comfortable to use as the light doesn't shine too brightly into your face, but can still easily illuminate work on a desk. It is small, so it doesn't take up much room on a desk. The only inconvenience is that there is no switch on the lamp to turn it off and on, so this has to be done at a wall.
Economics:
The economics for my lamp were very good. The materials for each lamp didn’t cost very much, and mine cost a total of $12.10. The reason for the difference in price between the lamps is due to the different amounts of LED lighting used.
My lamp solved the problem that was presented. It works effectively and efficiently as a small LED desk lamp. The function of the lamp could be improved by making it with a switch so that it doesn’t have to be turned off form the wall.
Aesthetics
The design of my lamp is simple, but effective. Its shape causes it to give off enough light to easily illuminate work on a desk, without shining into your eyes. In my opinion, my lamp looks nice as the style and colours are not elaborate.
Ergonomics
My lamp is comfortable to use as the light doesn't shine too brightly into your face, but can still easily illuminate work on a desk. It is small, so it doesn't take up much room on a desk. The only inconvenience is that there is no switch on the lamp to turn it off and on, so this has to be done at a wall.
Economics:
The economics for my lamp were very good. The materials for each lamp didn’t cost very much, and mine cost a total of $12.10. The reason for the difference in price between the lamps is due to the different amounts of LED lighting used.
Assignment Questions
Q1 What is the actual difference between light of different colours?
Light comes in different colours, normally mixed together. The different coloured lights are created from different wavelengths. For example, red light has the longest wavelength, and violet has the shortest wavelength. When all of the colours of light are together, they create white light. When looking at an object, the colour you see is the colour of light that it reflects, while absorbing all other colours.
Q2 Define the following terms
Ambient light: Ambient light can refer to both natural light, and light from an artificial source. It is soft indirect light that fills a room.
Direct light diffuser: A light diffuser disperses light to make it softer and not as harsh.
Luminosity: Luminosity describes the brightness of a light
Energy efficiency: Energy efficiency refers to the amount of energy being used
Watts: A unit for measuring energy
Q3 Comment on global warming
Global warming is a major problem in today’s society. It refers to the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere increasing. There are many things that cause it, the main one being the rising amounts of greenhouse gases produced by burning fossil fuels and deforestation. When fossil fuels are burnt, they release carbon dioxide gas into the air. This wouldn’t be as much of a problem if it weren’t for deforestation. Trees take carbon dioxide out of the air and change it into oxygen when they photosynthesize, but because of deforestation there are less trees so the amount of carbon dioxide in the air is increasing. Another way greenhouse gases are created is from different forms of transport, like cars, trains and buses.
There are many problems that come from global warming. Due to the rising temperatures, the icebergs are melting, and this is causing the sea levels to rise and many animals to die. Polar bears use the ice to hunt for their food, and with the ice melting their range for hunting is reduced, so many of them are starving to death. The polar bears are losing their habitat as the ice platforms are shrinking and moving farther apart, so the bears have to swim further between the icebergs, and often they become too tired and drown. Global warming is affecting many other species in similar ways and they will soon be extinct if nothing is done to slow global warming.
Another problem that comes from global warming is extreme weather conditions, like draughts, heavy rain, severe storms and heat waves.
There are many ways that global warming can be decreased or slowed down. These include using energy efficient items, reducing use of cars, trains and other forms of transport that pollute the atmosphere, recycling materials and cutting down less trees. If these simple steps were taken global warming could be slowed.
Q4 How can the modern home become more energy efficient with regard to lighting?
The modern home could become more energy efficient by using solar powered lights, energy efficient lights, and not leaving lights on when they aren’t needed.
Q5 Research a modern-day lighting designer and comment on their contribution to the design world.
Claude Engle is an internationally known lighting consultant. He has designed lighting for many significant structures. These include the Louvre and the Reichstag.
Light comes in different colours, normally mixed together. The different coloured lights are created from different wavelengths. For example, red light has the longest wavelength, and violet has the shortest wavelength. When all of the colours of light are together, they create white light. When looking at an object, the colour you see is the colour of light that it reflects, while absorbing all other colours.
Q2 Define the following terms
Ambient light: Ambient light can refer to both natural light, and light from an artificial source. It is soft indirect light that fills a room.
Direct light diffuser: A light diffuser disperses light to make it softer and not as harsh.
Luminosity: Luminosity describes the brightness of a light
Energy efficiency: Energy efficiency refers to the amount of energy being used
Watts: A unit for measuring energy
Q3 Comment on global warming
Global warming is a major problem in today’s society. It refers to the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere increasing. There are many things that cause it, the main one being the rising amounts of greenhouse gases produced by burning fossil fuels and deforestation. When fossil fuels are burnt, they release carbon dioxide gas into the air. This wouldn’t be as much of a problem if it weren’t for deforestation. Trees take carbon dioxide out of the air and change it into oxygen when they photosynthesize, but because of deforestation there are less trees so the amount of carbon dioxide in the air is increasing. Another way greenhouse gases are created is from different forms of transport, like cars, trains and buses.
There are many problems that come from global warming. Due to the rising temperatures, the icebergs are melting, and this is causing the sea levels to rise and many animals to die. Polar bears use the ice to hunt for their food, and with the ice melting their range for hunting is reduced, so many of them are starving to death. The polar bears are losing their habitat as the ice platforms are shrinking and moving farther apart, so the bears have to swim further between the icebergs, and often they become too tired and drown. Global warming is affecting many other species in similar ways and they will soon be extinct if nothing is done to slow global warming.
Another problem that comes from global warming is extreme weather conditions, like draughts, heavy rain, severe storms and heat waves.
There are many ways that global warming can be decreased or slowed down. These include using energy efficient items, reducing use of cars, trains and other forms of transport that pollute the atmosphere, recycling materials and cutting down less trees. If these simple steps were taken global warming could be slowed.
Q4 How can the modern home become more energy efficient with regard to lighting?
The modern home could become more energy efficient by using solar powered lights, energy efficient lights, and not leaving lights on when they aren’t needed.
Q5 Research a modern-day lighting designer and comment on their contribution to the design world.
Claude Engle is an internationally known lighting consultant. He has designed lighting for many significant structures. These include the Louvre and the Reichstag.
Completed Lamp
This is my completed lamp. I am very happy with how it looks and the way it turned out.
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