OMG IT'S TOMORROW!!!

Ok.... just doing the final final touch ups on my model and presentation materials... I am not really sure what the last part of the requirement meant:

"1 x A4 poster of your design and giving information on yourself"

Apparently we could do that on our blogs, so I thought I will just post my hero shot poster here...

This is the portrait version of what I will be presenting in class (which is A3 landscape) along with other perspective and CAD drawings. I actually did this hero shot on Illustrator (no - not Rhino!) which didn't take as long as I thought it would so ya :)

Ok so in terms of model-making ... I was trying to take a photo of my final model with my crappy phone camera but the pixels were really bad and I couldn't load them up onto the laptop tonight so will have to quickly do it tomorrow night (hope the tutors won't mark my blog before then!), but I mean the chrome coat didn't turn out as shiny as I thought it'd be - and then it hit me that I used wood instead of metal...

The explanation on design specs and material choice will be included on an A4 which I have printed out just then... nonetheless I will type them up here too just in case!

Background of Invention

Ÿ - Accumulation and organization of excessive number of cards are extremely labour intensive
Ÿ - The individual need to estimate and carry a sufficient number of cards for exchanging; as well as carry them and store them somewhere on him
Ÿ - Limited amount of information on the business card
Ÿ - A change in business details means cards being wasted and new ones printed

Design Intentions

Ÿ - To break through the existing vCard (the e-mail attachment or SMS alternative of business contacts).
Ÿ - The purpose of business card designers is to graphically establish a sound first impression of the corporate representative; which someone who is serious about his work and position would consider essential in his career (vCards only contain text of limited information).
Ÿ - To fulfill the efficiency and convenience needs of a corporate traveler – bigger memory story of both static and animated graphic files including powerpoint presentation slides.
Ÿ - To be able to interact, exchange, and establish business relationships spontaneously as well as professionally.
Ÿ - Globalization – the ability to automatically translate foreign language information into comprehensible as well as editable text.

Materials Selection

Ÿ- Polished black titanium
It has a high strength-to-weight ratio, lustrous, corrosion-resistant, and used in various applications e.g. aeronautics, surgical utensils, watches, even the Guggenheim Museum (Definitely an artistic material of its class!)

Ÿ- Chrome plated stainless steel
Provides optimal protection of the device with added carbon; the electroplating of a thin layer of chromium is to further increase surface hardness and can also be decorative

Ÿ- Back cover alternative: Leather
To enhance the luxury and high-class taste of our Gen X men, a selection of leather is customizable: calf leather, crocodile skin, etc.

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Early Concept Drawings

Just thought I should upload the concept drawings I made earlier on.






Went through a lot of thinking process... what should I include, its size, its uses, its structure, what would really suit my GEN X businessman. I referred to a lot of existing designs from the blogs I read. I even thought of including a mini projector for the presentations, but then my client rejected that idea due to impracticality - "why not kill a bird perfect with one stone when it's hard to kill two at the same time?"; I thought yeah true dat. It would become a gadget overload.


Then I went on thinking about how my model could be made... materials & mechanisms bla bla bla

I even did a rough cross sectional view... very very rough haha.

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Final Research

Just doing some final researches on business cards and the scanner mechanisms... Wanted to make sure that in the next 5 years time my design will actually be possible in the making.

History of BC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_card

Scanner System
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/scanner2.htm
This one was really helpful in the sense that although it provided the structures and everything in the traditional CCD scanner, but it also made a point about the latest CIS (contact image sensor) which is the more efficient and less expensive substitute in terms of manufacturing; and it got me into deeper research:

CMOS Image Sensors
http://www.chin.gc.ca/English/Digital_Content/Capture_Collections/Sub_sections/cap_image_sensors.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contact_Image_Sensor
http://www.liteon-semi.com/_en/02_cis/02_about.php?ID=7
CMOS is what they use for quality photography cameras nowadays which are also adopted for mobile phone cameras - so this in terms of size and image quality I think would be really good for my scanning device

Then I looked into how the mechanisms really work... in order to show it in my CAD general assembly drawing
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5187596.html
http://www.thiel.edu/digitalelectronics/chapters/appg_html/appg.htm


Took me a few days to find these links (went through a dozen random ones... was on the edge of needing to call experts up) but at least it wasn't all in vain!

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Concept Generations

Finally I get to return to design after rehearsing hard for the Kick Up The Dust Dance Competition... by the bye we were 2nd runner up!! :D

Anyway back to topic, here are my concept boards from last Wed's studio...

Client comments:

1) should do something that breaks through a Palm (I think Palm only sends vCards i.e. emails of attached basic contact details in text only, so to take a step forward I was thinking to send more image files such as a portfolio / personal photo / GPS or Google Maps of company addresses directly to each other's devices)

2) what happens when the other person only holds a paper BC (i.e. some sort of scanning system, and I thought of the inlcusion of a function similar to vCard, which after scanning the paper BC, the device automatically detects the e-mail address and sends my Gen X guy's own contact details to that address. This way it diminishes the problem when someone hasn't gotten round to getting an eBC device)

Client Comments:

1) what happens when the thief tries to hamper with the fingerprint wallet by breaking it? (I think this is something I need to think about, some ppl suggested self-destruction, or some way that the cards destroy their strip automatically when any sign of forcing of opening etc. )

2) How is it sealed? If it has so much technology within one small thing - is it possible? (I guess I just assumed that the metal railings around the wallet would be somehow magnitized when it's closed... but more research in terms of security systems and size need to be done)

Client comments:

1) I'ts more a device for gadget people... (Even though I did think smart textiles is emerging and will definitely be a part of our future, perhaps the design itself is not feasible in the next 5 years to make it luxurious and at the same time multi-functional... then again you never know!)

p.s. to Monica: I got the information on nanotechnological textiles from the following website:

http://smartextiles.co.uk/

Hope this will help you get deeper into the ideas of smart textiles!

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Another Handy Gizmo

I have added a new Friendly Link: http://www.mnw.com.au/

It's an Australian-based company that focuses on the development and management of portable technology products and services.

In September they will be launching the Mint v.10 - the world's smallest and first pocket projector.

Specifications:
- 50inch image while it's left 6 inch away

- Built-in speakers

- Comes with all the necessary accessories such as audio/video cables, and small tripod for secure viewing.

- Price? An expected $649

- Convenient for both business and leisure

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Research: existing patents

Some further researcher into electronic business cards, I have found the following websites:

Electronic BC Exchange
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6533171.html

Personal Data Interchange - vCard
http://www.imc.org/pdi/vcardwhite.html

Electronic BC Device
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6254001.html

"A method of transferring business card information from a first user to a second user includes the steps of providing said first and second users with an electronic business card device, storing data similar to that stored on a business card in a memory in each of the electronic business cards, selectively displaying at least some of the stored business card data on a visual display screen, and selectively transferring the stored business card data of at least the first user to the electronic business card of the other user for storage and selective retrieval."

I am not a member of the website so I couldn't view the full blueprint of the design, however by the look of it, it doesn't appeal to me as some high-class gadget - let alone appealing to my Gen X clientele. So this is where I come in!

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First Idea Ignited!

Just on the bus the other day was going through all the possible designs for my Gen X businessman... I want to come up with something that integrates technology that's on the horizon with a touch of design to something that has been neglected in development over the past few decades.


Flexible OLED displays in the future will become a part of our everyday lives (literally) with nanotechnological attachments to textiles... or even contact lens that will substitute the need for screen displays!

The Din-ink is a rather interesting combination of cutlery with stationery - I mean although it's appearance is rather un-designer-ly, but I am sure a work-o-holic like my clientele would be sitting in front of his PC with pens and notepads while trying to fulfill his biological needs.

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Then I thought of business cards - one of the most essential inter-industrial tool that symbolizes the company's brand equity to its clients and associates. I realized that nowadays white-collars still carry hard-copy (i.e. paper) BC's - with such a tech-savvy world of today - I believe there exists some innovative thinking possibilities - more than just electronic Outlook attachment at the end of every email; BC's should be efficient in portability, effective in delivery, and flexible in multi-functionality.

Hence I have researched on some existing electronic BC ideas:
This concept by Hideaki Matsui is an Information Ring that will exchange electronic business data when in close proximity – such as during a handshake – and stored within; the downfall is that it prerequires the other person to also be wearing an Information Ring.
Another concept I found at NewLaunch.com still has the BC in its primitive form, with a memory card laminated at the back which can be snapped to a USB adopter, allowing data such as company info or portfolio to be stored inside and given to others - provided that there's a computer around. Another design flaw is the fact that the USB and the card are two separate objects which may end up in lost property.

Here is just an example I came across - it's actually an mp3 player with a USB embedded, in the size of an approximate BC. Its flat dimensions looks rather sleek and will fit nicely in the chest pocket of a business shirt.

This is a good starting point where I have ideas such as making the BC flexible, or can be attached to the belt buckles, or whatever.

p.s. I have forgotten where I got this image from so whoever designed it I apologize >< !!

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Inspirational Images...

A few pictures of the latest futuristic technologies that might serve the demands of my Gen X techno-literate / investment banker...

All pictures are at courtesy of SickOfGadgets.com and Dvice.com

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GoodBye PETE

Looking at packaging designs from The Dieline.com, I came across this classy water bottle. Yes it's a reusable water flask - finally a solution to PETE wastes that involves both functionality AND aesthetics in form! Oh, moreover it's environmentally friendly and saves you from cancer, too!!

According to the website: "you can drink with one hand due to the hinged snap cap, it has a wide mouth so that you can put in ice cubes and refill it easily and the oval shape fits perfectly in the hand. There's also a good balance between branding and letting the structure of the package shine."

This KOR ONE Hydration Vessel is what 'Look Good, Feel Good' is really about!

(Kinda stole my idea of redesigning a vacuum flask for my Gen X guy though...)

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Slicky Mickey

I came across this funky design while surfing the bookmarked design blogs - a soap shaped like a desktop mouse!!

It's really qoo because in chinese we call them 'slippery mouse' (directly translated) - which is rather eloquent in the sense that you can slip it all over your body!!

Check this out - OO LA LA!! :p

I quite like the logo and packaging design too -the soap also comes in black!!

My target market for this project is a Gen X who is supposedly tech-savvy; I am sure he will like this product!!

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