Ana Mernik

ASSIGNMENT 6: MENTAL ARMOR

At the onset of this assignment, I wanted to focus on the requirements (creating layers, using technology, and creating a valuable product) as well as my own wishes (to create something simple but cool).

I initially started with three ideas that would make my life easier. They included: a phone holder that would attach to the side of the bed, as opposed to keeping the phone under a pillow and sleeping through alarms; a hanger for multiple articles of clothing, not just one that takes up a lot of space in the closet but doesn't make use of the closet's height; and a new addition to doors that would allow one to have the key hole at arm's height but have the knob that opens the lock at foot's level for easier access if one's carrying too much in his hands.

I then focused on the first two ideas, and decided to pursue the second (the hanger) because of the mess in my room, and a real need for organization.

   

Next, I dove into the details of the hanger. I focused on different parts - the hook the curved sides, the bars, and the end condition - and began exploring what would fit me best. I decided to go with a thick rectangular hook that wouldn't slide or swing along the metal bar in the closet. The hook is also attached to the hanger without the extra neck to provide greater stability and secure the grip. I made the sides thick for stability and the individual bars thin to allow layering of clothes over the same bars. The overall rectangular shape holds a grid that makes organization possible in a cluster of clothes. It also allows for greater flexibility in use. And the layout of individual shapes and sizes add visual interest and balance, while corresponding to the general function of some pieces (jackets, T-shirts, or pants, for example) based on the amount of space they take up. For an increased simplicity and because of my own laziness, all the clothes are meant to simply be folded over once or twice, then hung over the bars.

A couple of reiterations gave me a result I was happy with. Next was modeling the hanger in Rhino and then heading to dFab to CNC.

 

      

After spray painting the hanger to look like the rest of the hangers in my closet, the project was put to the test.

    

The hanger holds more than ten layers of clothes, makes efficient use of all the vertical space in the closet, is visually interesting, and creates more organization in my closet as well as my floor. By changing the size, shape, and use of the regular one-piece hanger, the product now has more value.