Freshmen and Senior Design Project Processes

For today's class we had to interview one freshman and one senior at the design project expo about how their design processes. 

The first group I interviewed was a freshman group that built the "Smart Pop Microwave." They began their process with very limited knowledge of Arduino, MatLab, and LabView. They were inspired to make this product by a student in their dorm hall who is constantly burning popcorn. After much trial and error and learning that microwaves are very difficult to work with, they created a machine that attaches to a microwave and measures the amount of time between the pops of the corn kernels by sound. When the pops are more than one second apart, the microwave turns off. However, the sound sensor is very sensitive to background noise. The team would also desire to go through the actual button board of the microwave if they were to prototype a solution again.

The senior group was designing a formula car for the SAE competition off-road. They had not gotten to the prototyping stage yet, but their evidence and research seemed thorough and convincing. They had taken a design class elective previously which helped them with the design and research process. They even went to an SAE competition to see what a final product could potentially look like. They want their final product to be as cost and energy efficient. They also used a log book to jot down ideas during their design process. Next year, the juniors that are also working on this project will take over the project and use the prototyping experience as their senior projects.

It seemed that, in general, the freshman design projects were more prototype-based whereas the senior projects were more concept and research-based. One reason for this was that the freshmen were required to use Arduino system for their projects. The seniors were not required to use Arduino. But another reason for this difference is due to the fact that the seniors have gained a lot of knowledge throughout their years at WNE and were given more free-range to use that knowledge and research skills without limits. The Arduino gave the freshmen some limitations, but was probably helpful for those who are not experienced with the process of inventing and designing. However, both groups agreed that observing and collaborating with other groups was a great way to test ideas and get inspiration for what to do next.

Personal Support in a Portable Structure: The Ideation Process

In the beginning of this process, my team and I decided to either focus on the elderly or children who need the most assistance. We formed 2 separate problem statements to focus our ideas and yet keep our options open. We came up with a whole variation of ideas for our first progress report. I sketched a design of walker/ chair combination as my initial and most beloved idea. I have provided a picture of my sketch.

In the class before spring break, we were prompted to come up with even more ideas by creating a morphological box. My team and I created the box below (I wrote the date wrong though!) and it really stimulated our ideation process and gave us some new inspiration with seemingly infinite possibilities. However, as spring break approached, I still felt like I was attached to my walker idea.

So I got some cardboard and started cutting. As I was trying to shape the walker, I discovered a whole new design that I had not previously thought of. It was a just a type of chair. I had been trying to stay away from the idea of a chair because it seemed too boring and generic when you think of a "personal support system." But I actually had a lot of confidence in my new, unique, simple design. It only has 3 pieces, has no legs, is portable, and even utilizes the metal bar for back support.

My team and I met last Monday to catch up and review the prototypes we had made. I especially liked one of my teammates who came up with a unique stool idea that was different from the one with the X-shaped support in the middle. It was a very small prototype that could fit in your hand, but it had a lot of support. We took turns trying to crush the stool in our hands and none of us could do it.

Last class, we were able to further our creative process by working with play-doh. We were challenged to create a cylindrical chair that supports the head, back, arms, and seat. Just as with my walker turned into something different, my sketches of the cylindrical chair turned out differently than my original plan once I got working with the play-doh. I am excited to see how our ideas will come to life and evolve as my team meets today and tries to build our first full-scale prototype.

Update: The first model construction went really well. Despite not having proper tools or really taking measurements, the chair we designed came out pretty much the way we drew it out on the white board. Pictures may follow in the next blog!

How to Fix McDonald's in Three Sentences

THE CHALLENGE: McDonald's is losing money and business.

THE PROBLEM: McDonald's menu is no longer appealing to their customers.

THE OPPORTUNITY: In order to keep old business, attract new, potentially more health-conscious clients, and put less stress on their employees, McDonald's needs to reduce their menu options back to the most basic and popular items and improve the quality of the ingredients chosen to make these items.

Getting to Know an Oreo: How to Think with a Beginner's Mind

Last class we were given the task of blindfolding ourselves and describing an object without our sight. I tied the bandanna easily around my eyes. But I had no idea what we would be given. I thought it would be something that we knew, but it would be something complex.

We were each handed a plastic bag with a small object in it. I felt something circular but with ridges. I immediately thought of a tire and applied pressure to the cent of the object to see if the rubber or plastic (like a toy tire) would feel pliable. But, much to my shock, the circle broke. Just as that happened, someone opened their bag and a very familiar scent wafted through the air. It sweet and chocolate-scented. I knew then what it was. I took the leftover shards out of the bag and held them in my hand. I had to resist the urge to eat the object right then. I knew I had to pretend that I had never encountered this cookie before. Just because it smelled edible and was relatively soft, did not necessarily mean I could eat it. The object continued to crumble slightly in my hand as I waited for further instructions.

Once we took our blindfolds off, I was given a new, more whole object, though of the same type because mine was broken. We were encouraged to use our sight and other senses this time to examine the object. The ridges I had felt formed a specific pattern on both sides of the circle. In the middle, the circle said "OREO" in raised print. Between the the two dark brown/ black circles there was a small white center. The circles left crumbs on my hands after handling. I pulled the circles apart and the white center broke.The center was smoother than the outside and smelled like vanilla. Once we were given the okay, I ate the cookie. It tasted like chocolate and vanilla.

I think the part that surprised me the most was how easily I broke the cookie. With my sight and knowing what an Oreo is, I would not have applied so much pressure to it that I broke it. I would have just taken in out of the bag and eaten it. Looking at something as if it is completely new and mysterious when it is really mundane and familiar. But, as always, this class is challenging our creativity in new and interesting ways. I look forward to our next project and coming up with ideas beyond the obvious.

Ideation and Collaboration!

This week, we were really challenged mentally to come up with as many solutions to our problem as possible. Even the most far-fetched ideas were written down. We were encouraged to write down whatever came to mind. The solution just had to help decrease the time and/or the number of trips a person with a physical handicap (in this case someone without use of one arm) would take.

To help with this extensive thought process, we employed the three "Ideation" techniques: the Ideation Spectrum, SCAMPER, and the Phoenix Checklist. The Ideation Spectrum helped us come up with some of our most "super-optimal" solutions. We were able to come up with the most solutions from this method. I liked the super-optimal solution that my teammate Jon came up with. It was where the person would push a button and all the food options came up out of the table. The Phoenix checklist had an extensive list of thought-provoking but very specific questions that helped us generate more solutions. The SCAMPER method was tricky. But when we began to focus on combining some of our previous solutions, we were able to come up with more new ones.

Some of the ideas that I came up with that seemed to have potential were a belt that carries drinks and silverware. This could potentially decrease the number of  trips made. But it may be difficult to make that steady and reliable. I also thought of a tray that goes around a person's shoulders. The dining facility could offer a tray like this for individual use. Additionally, I thought of a prosthetic that was a ring that could hold drink cups and even hold bottles steady for opening condiments.

I look forward to continuing the prototyping process with my team and presenting our final solution to the class next week.

The Steps of Inspiration

Hi all! My name is Brandi. I am a junior Biology major at WNEU. I'm from a town just north of Boston. I would like to teach high school Biology in the future. I hope that this class gives me a break from my usual science courses while learning useful things like problem solving skills.

Today when we had to bind our arms and go to the dining hall, I was definitely apprehensive. I was excited to participate but I have never been in a class that was so hands-on. I think our group was able to come up with some very pressing issues that we faced when trying to serve ourselves. We even started to brainstorm on a few things that may have made our experience easier.

I think that opening bottles and untying bags were some of our most challenging obstacles. Also, carrying drinks and silverware and multiple plates were daunting tasks. Making multiple trips was our only immediate option.

I am looking forward to solidifying our central problem and discovering ways to make the dining hall experience comfortable for individuals with physical handicaps.