Ana Mernik - Attempt #2

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 thatwouldn'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 organizationpossible 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.

Assignment 2 - Egg Racer

My egg racer proposal consists of a holder that is connected to a box like structure using rubber bands. The holder is 3D- printed and uses roughly 2.7 square inch of plastic. It's formed using the size and shape of a standard egg and has latches on the sides for the rubber band to hook onto. The box has two laser-cutted surfaces that have latches on the side as well that connects with the rubber bands. It also have four quarter-inch diametered slots. Lastly a plastic sheet that is bent and lodged to break the impact, and upon it, the rubber band acts as a seat-belt type of system. My process through this started with the idea to lock the egg in place, and then somehow break the impact using multiple systems. The requirement of no using glue really made me think a lot about connection, and through this process, I learned material constraints even with 3-D printing, as the structure is rather weak. Also using multiple fabrication devices such as laser-cutting, wood-shop, and 3-D printing together, each solving different problems.

Chang Liu--Sorry this is late

Scarf hanger

When I was considering something can make my life easier, I thought about the experience when I went to Ikea. They were selling "scarf hangers". So why not make one myself? Or so in my design, I add some "rectangles" for hanging clothes.

Assignment 6 - Kris Li *sorry it's late

For the mental armor project, I started my design process by thinking about not only building something with a creative twist, but also making sure that I will get to use the final product. I examined the daily objects in my room and asked myself what needs to be enhanced. I decided to incorporate abstract geometric shapes into a shoe rack. The panels on either side of the rack are secured by eight poles running the whole length.
During the process of CNCing I've learnt how important it is to use the right type of tools. After the CNC machine cut out the complicated side panels, I make the poles in woodshop because such shape would not stay still on the bed during cutting.

Mental Armor | Madhura Kharche

For this project, I decided to make something that uses the idea of carving out material to filter light. I designed a pattern on rhino, and turned it into a CAM file with two different paths (one for cutting outside the line, and one for cutting inside).
I had started with the idea of making a lampshade, but because the material I could have used was not enough to make a shade for the lamp I wanted to use, I decided to make it a cover for a candle.

    

 

Mental Armour

This project was inspired by the all-nighters most of us do in studio. While in studio, people sleep on the floor, on chairs, and on desks but are almost never comfortable. I live off-campus and therefore am often taking naps in studio. This is a bed (at half scale due to lack of materials and time) for one person.

It is made with ribs that are connected by a "spine." This spine goes along the curves of someone’s back. The ribs that intersect the spine follow the curves of a body with the arms beside it.

I envision it being something that people can reproduce and store in their cubbies. It can come apart and only take up a small volume. I visualize it being used with a memory foam sheet inside for extra comfort (those available at Target for about $20).

Mental Armor 6 | Sam Riordan

My "Mental Armor" project was inspired by my family, and the obligatory gift-giving that would have to happen during the upcoming Christmas holidays. I didn't particularly need anything new, which initially hindered my design process. But, with Christmas rapidly approaching, I realized I could force the CNC machine to do all the heavy lifting in the present manufacturing for me. Thus, my project was born, and with the CNC I created a series of bookends, the tidiest of which can be seen below:

(The "I" is my little sister's first initial. Adorable, I know)

These are all of the pieces I cut. Unfortunately, the CNC router bit chewed up the edges of a lot of my pieces, and also wussed out on cutting the notches needed to fit the pieces together, so I had to fix a lot of things in wood shop later. This project definitely taught me to make sure to fully understand a piece of technology before attempting to use it. I also learned that you can force automated machinery to crank out presents for your family members! Yay holidays!