7.1: Beta Prototype and Final Project

Product Name: Unox Furniture System [Formerly: Long Boxes Concept]

Gap

In what way might we use furniture to utilize space efficiently in a small room.

User Needs

[needs in bold are primary or key needs]

The unit stores items
The unit stores books
The unit makes effective use of space
The unit is modular
The unit is easily moved
The unit is safe
The unit is renter friendly
The unit is easily assembled and disassembled
The unit functions as a table
The unit is attractive
The unit is not cost-prohibitive

Look at it!

[Keep in mind, this beta will ultimately form the bookcase/desk unit described previously, using many more of these units than what is shown here]

This video pretty much sums up all the points. Hence it being an “Overview”

Unoxes Stacked Vertically

Vertical Stacking. So far so good.

Unoxes Horizontal – Showing Side Connection

This is to show the side-to-side connection that is used to stabilize the “towers”, or vertically stacked units. It makes a solid connection.

Unox – Pivoting Awesomeness!

Whoa, what?! Simple physics and a visual aesthetic that I did not intend. Me like. As I mentioned in the video, I have seen professionally designed bookcases that use this “trick” of an offset opening. They were pretty pricy, and not modular. This is an unexpected [though obvious now] outcome that is a definite plus.

Unoxes — With Books

Looking good! It held all but one of my test books. And that history textbook is pretty snug if I force it vertical. Ah well, can’t win them all.

Unox – Alternate Display

Looking good with the alternate display! I’m looking forward to a taller unit that I offset like this.

Unox – Close Up of Peg.

Wanted give a close up of…oh, shiny!

Unox — Showing Stability while Tilted

Felt like it was worth it to show that even with books and tilted (I’m obsessed worry about this thing toppling) it is solid at the joint.

Unox — Close Up of Joint

The rabbet joint helped a lot with the structure. Plus you can see a little of the rounded edges.

Unox – Close Up of Pivot

Just one more with the pivot, for fun.

Refinements

TL:DR Version (For Course Assessment)

Planning on Changing the Peg arrangement to just the single peg on each panel, to simplify the build process. Going to use slightly smaller dimensions to cut down on cost and waste. Next versions will be sanded much more for a better finish. Want to look into different methods of assembling the boxes, such as glue and other adhesives, and anchors for secure and durable disassembly.

Detailed Version

This process has been fun and interesting. Been a little hard on myself, in the sense that this project seems “too basic and simple”, and generally not hard to those I describe it too. But a lot of thought went into each aspect, considering how it would function as a real object. Things like the rounded edges, the specific dimensions for dual sided access, color of the stain, use of the pegs; all were specific decisions based on meeting the user needs listed above. And I came up with 10 different concepts other than this one, all of which meet different needs, before I chose this one.

Why the Unox Furniture System?

Why not? Was thinking of different names after the branding videos, and thought about my love affair with unix/linux. Unix tools are designed to do one thing, and do it well. And when you combine them, you can create just about anything. That pretty much sums up what I had in mind with these boxes. Thus, I decided on the Unox Furniture System. They are a simple design that functions well in its own right, and are combined in many ways to build almost anything. (Still thinking of ways to make a couch or bed frame with them)

Okay, enough rationalizing, lets critique!

One thing I’m definitely changing is the peg arrangement. As noted in the video, the single peg actually works extremely well to secure each unit together, both vertically and horizontally. Thus I plan to put the peg holes in each panel, to give a more uniform appearance, simpler to set up, and offer the added bonus of the pivoted arrangement.

I also plan to use slightly smaller dimensions. This is a huge compromise, given that I wanted to originally have 13-14″ openings on the boxes. Luckily, the bins I plan to use in these will still fit the 11.5″ opening. The primary reason to use smaller dimensions is cost and waste, since anything larger than 11.5″ square would require me to increase it to 16″ openings, which is just too large and not space efficient. My original design with 14″ opening resulted in way too much waste, since it is necessary to buy 4′x8′ plywood sheets to make this cost-effective.

The stain looks good, though I plan to sand them using a belt sander at the shop next time, to make sure they are super smooth. I might do an extra coat or two, for a really nice, glossy finish.

I need to look into different screw or adhesion methods to build the boxes. The screws work, but don’t look great. I could get covers, but I’m also thinking about whether they need to be disassembled. Since each Unox is so light and portable, it may not be necessary (in the case of moving), but with close to 40 of these that I envision, might be a pain to move from house to house :/. Thinking of either anchors or other lock type, though that would increase the cost of each unit. Screw covers would be the most cost effective, if I decide that disassembly wouldn’t be needed.

Adhesive for the joints would be interesting, especially if it allowed for the units to be assembled without tools (requires a drill at the moment). Stacking only requires a smashing device (like a hammer, or large book) to initially insert the pegs, which is pretty much tool free [as was my goal].

What’s Next?

The class may be ending, but obviously I’m not done with this project. Two units are hardly a bookcase or a desk, thus I still plan on making many more of these (with changes to realize the possibilities of these units. Any updates will be posted here (and announced on twitter) so go ahead and follow me, if you want updates on this project [or anything else I do].

Thanks for tuning in

New Shirt for Design Contest

Jun10

Another last minute T-Shirt design for the contest, before I submit to the will of the masses to vote on them. I quite like this one.

6.1: Alpha Prototype

Jun9

{ assignment for coursera course — design: creation of artifacts in society }

This week we are submitting “alpha prototypes” of our project. I must have been ahead of the curve and submitted my alpha last week, was going to work on my beta version this week. Unfortunately, my project requires power tools to properly test and construct them. There is a community woodshop I want to use that is open very limited hours (9am-3pm), which makes it difficult to get there with time to work (I work nights at my “pays-the-bills” job, so trying to get up early enough is tough). When I managed to make it down there the last chance I could, they ended up closing early, thus I lost my only chance to work on the next version.

sigh.

Barring any more problems, I should be able to get the pieces cut up Tuesday. It looks like I’ll have to get the final wood pieces too, since the final version is due next week. eek!

Below I humbly submit my alpha prototype of my project. I wish I had more, but this project is turning out to be harder than expected to build in such a short time frame.

Gap

In What Way Might We [IWWMW]: Use furniture to enhance the space in a small room in the most efficient, comfortable, and cost-effective way.

Alpha Version

Each box unit is designed to be stackable or an isolated unit. The peg holes I’ve added are to allow them to be sturdy when stacked, and does not require tools. They also have peg holes in the sides, to stabilize when building a tall bookshelf. Each box is 20 inches deep too, since I plan to stack them high (helps to keep from toppling). I also plan on rounding all the inside edges (for comfortable lifting and aesthetics) and staining the final version.

As you can see, the top box is not right. Those were rabbet joints that I cut on the wrong side. They are supposed to add strength. I may need to figure out something to put in the middle of each, if the joint doesn’t work out.

Testing stacking with peg holes.

And below with stuff in them. Decided to that the next version will be smaller, to better use resources, easier to move, and cuts costs to build the whole thing.

with books!

5.1: Concept Testing

Jun1

{ assignment for coursera course — design: creation of artifacts in society }

This week I built a couple comprehensive prototypes, and learned some interesting things. Here they are:

As you can notice, the top one is not right at all. I learned about Rabbet Joints that supposedly can help with strength (and thought they looked neat too), but I was dumb and cut them on the wrong side. Decided to test the stacking instead of the joints (since the holes are on the outside).

Refinements to Long Boxes

Deciding to adjust measurements to 12″h x 12″w x 16″d for a few reasons.
- 1) it makes each unit lighter and easier to carry.
- 2)better use of resources, since the best size to buy the wood is 4′ x 8′. I can get more boards with less waste with the new measurements.
Moving shelf pin holes to the edges more. I did this in my sketches, but during the prototype I decided to cut them an inch in. This causes the pegs to just push through the other side, where on the edges they would gain strength by the board underneath.
Need make an inside support that I can use in some of them (sketches soon). They wobble a bit too much for comfort, though this might be due to the weak joints. My third prototype I can’t make until Tuesday, when I have time to get to the Campbell Center woodshop.

Ooops, no “Purchase Intent” Survey

Part of this weeks assignment was to ask potential “buyers” what they thought. Would they buy my “product”. Frankly, with the amount of time and effort these took to make with my little shop tools, on top of my web design projects, I just couldn’t be bothered. I can see why a purchase intent survey is important, but there just wasn’t enough time in the days (nor that can be coordinated with folks at work or friends) to do prototypes and surveys.

Was going to write more blog posts, but I made these shirts instead

May27

The Design Course I’m taking is in its 5th week now. This week they introduced an optional T-Shirt Design Tournament to remember the course by. So instead of writing blog posts [I had a few in mind to flesh out], I made these:

Note: Front = Right Side, Back = Left Side. Sorry if that’s backwards for you…

If you can’t tell, I really like the abstracted logo I made from the supplied files. I was originally going to include the UPenn logo too, but thought it would crowd it up too much. Anyways, hope you enjoy ^_^

4.2: Prototyping

May26

{ assignment for coursera course — design: creation of artifacts in society }

Gap

In What Way Might We [IWWMW]: Use furniture to enhance the space in a small room in the most efficient, comfortable, and cost-effective way.

Primary User Needs

The unit stores items The unit stores books The unit makes effective use of space The unit is modular The unit is easily moved The unit is safe The unit is renter friendly The unit is easily assembled and disassembled The unit functions as a table The unit is attractive The unit is not cost-prohibitive

Prototypes

Dual Access Bar w/Stool

Assessment This seemed like an interesting solution, especially with the stool retreating into the bookcase/desk, all the while stores more books. As you see in the Digital Prototype, it looks pretty cool. The lock on the backside seems like it would work well, with a simple implementation. Had to adjust the dimensions to get the stool to fit into the bookcase, which I expected. That being said, it seems like a lot of wood working, with lots of potential for error. With my current skill set , I do not believe this would be the best solution to carry out, especially given the limited scope that it addresses (primarily a desk bookcase, not easily replicated) Sketch

Letter C = Dual Access Bar w/Stool

Digital Prototype

Stool Bookcase— Back View

Note the little cutouts for a bar to keep the books from falling out when moving the stool. The bottom ones didn’t want to successfully cutout for some reason (I messed with it for ~30 mins in Google SketchUp before giving up), you get the idea though.

Stool Bookcase— Front View (with footrest)

The poky bits of the wheels wouldn’t show through here. Or maybe it’s evidence that I need a thicker board, or even a different setup for them.

Bookcase and Stool— Back View

Bookcase and Stool— Front View

Paddle Dividers

Assessment It seemed neat when I first envisioned it, but once on paper, I was skeptical. It scored high on the assessment matrix, so thought I’d work it out in SketchUp, just to see. I quickly identified how annoying it would be to build, not to mention finding solid boards that size (roughly 6 feet). My other concern is with the “perforation” that the peg holes would be doing, potentially weakening the structure. Plus, in my research (after I had chosen the ones to prototype) I discovered these weird bookend things at Ikea that slide on to each shelf. IMHO, a much simpler and economical solution. Sketch

Letter G = Paddle Divider Sketch

Digital Prototypes

Long Boxes

Assessment

If you haven’t guessed yet, this is my favorite of the prototypes. I was obsessing over it in the sketch stage, and was eager to see how it panned out in SketchUp. Not only will it be easier to build, after noticing where all the stabilizing holes will be, but also the depth I need to cut the holes is easy (straight through the boards). Once I created the component, I was able to stack them into different configurations. I started first with just the bookcase, which looked nice. Then I wanted to try the “desk” idea I had with them too, and it also would work well. Especially since the board that acts as the table top will attach via pegs into the existing holes of the boxes. Sweet! The side holes in each box are for stabilizing a tall shelf (so one tower doesn’t separate and topple), and for staggering placement, allowing some to “hover” or for longer shapes to break up the grid. Each is 20 inches deep, which is plenty of room for books one both sides, long books, bins for files, and (as I measured) the perfect amount of space for a desk top. After noting the measurements, I will have to adjust the dimensions a bit, otherwise my choice of bins to fit in them will be extremely limited. This will alter the overall number of boxes, but the general layout will be similar. The last pictures I added wood textures to simulate what it would look like more accurately. I also added the chair and the jacket to assess its function. The jacket will hang from a hook from one of the unused side pegs. Sketch

Letter F (left) = Long Boxes

Digital Prototypes

Mockup of Long Box with Peg Holes Drilled

Intended layout in correct orientation

As mentioned above this seems like the most probable solution, given its versatile nature.

Seeing what the wood would actually look like

And the back side, still able to access books

Looks good with the wood texture too. Notice the few boxes that appear to be ”floating”? The peg holes in the side are for this purpose, to use the adjacent boxes to support them.

4.1: Concept Selection

May23

{ assignment for coursera course — design: creation of artifacts in society }

Gap

In what way might we use furniture to utilize space efficiently in a small room

Primary Needs

[needs in bold are the ones used in the concept selection matrix below]

Concept Selection Matrix

[items in green are selected for prototyping. side-scroll for the last two items]
Key: 1=meets need well; 0=meets need okay; -1=does not meet need

See concept sketches for further reference.

André Casey

disillusioned post-grad redefining education through experience

7.1: Beta Prototype and Final Project

Product Name: Unox Furniture System [Formerly: Long Boxes Concept]

Gap

User Needs

Look at it!