Finalised Idea 2

G193 Portfolio Development – Idea 2

Nur Syafiqa Bte Kasturi (108120) Design for Interactivity

Portable 5 socket outlet in Republic Polytechnic classrooms

Product design

I noticed that within the average 3 years of studying in Republic Polytechnic, everyone is bound to accidently switch off the wrong switch. This is shown by many interviews that I had with Republic Polytechnic students. Out of the 10 that I interviewed, 9 out of 10 will tend to switch off the wrong switch. The one person didn’t because he trailed his own laptop battery wire to the socket. The rest of the interviewees didn’t. Even with the different coloured switch to differentiate which socket is for which user, students will still tend to switch off the wrong switch.

Thus, I decided to think of an idea that would make the users ease their problem. I decided to come up with ideas for a “divider”.

Idea 1

Flat top, in a shape of a rectangle.

6cm

6.5cm

3.5cm

Idea 2

Roof is of a dome shape.

6cm

6.5cm4cm

75°

Idea 3

Roof of this idea is a triangle.

6.5cm

6cm

6.5cm

5.5cm

Idea 4

Similar to Idea 3 with the roof following the triangle shape. Instead of having a sharp tip, the top of the roof is flat.

1.5cm

6.5cm

6.5cm

5.5cm

6cm

Idea 5

From Idea 4, I decided to make the top more flatter and thus, came out with this idea.

4cm

4cm

6cm

6.5cm

6.5cm

Idea 6

From Idea 2, I decided to create another idea that has a higher dome.

I decided to do a prototype made out of Styrofoam because I want to test out all my prototypes.

6.5cm

6cm

7cm

43°

Idea 1

Idea 2

Idea 3

Idea 4

Idea 5

Idea 6

I did a test on my prototypes on 18 people. Here are the test results:

Ideation 1: nobody picked this

Ideation 2: 7 results

Ideation 3: 2 results

Ideation 4: nobody picked this

Ideation 5: 6 results

Ideation 6: 3 results

Reasons why majority picked ideation 2: it’s ideal for the hands, fits the environment (on RP’s socket outlet), easier to lift up the “lid”, ideal size, small and doesn’t take much space, fits into the socket and it’s a very simple shape, good ergonomics.

Below are the examples of how my interviewees hold prototype of ideation 2.

Based on my studies on ergonomics last year, the structure of the product must suit the structure of the hand. It must feel good to the hand. Thus, from here, I decided to finalize my decision to Ideation 2.

The material that the “divider” will be made out of is acrylic plastic. Even with the rubber coating of each laptop plug, the plug will heat up after some time. Thus, using acrylic plastic, with the property of being resistant to high heat, is suitable for this. Acrylic plastic is also resistant to high impact and it is used frequently because of its “high toughness”.

Below is an illustration of what the plugs will look like in the end.

In conclusion: I have succeeded in avoiding students from switching off the wrong switch. Before they need to switch off any switch, a barrier is blocking their way. Thus with the “divider”, users will not need to worry about their laptop being switched off by accident by another user.

http://2.imimg.com/data2/EU/PJ/MY-2903321/acrylic-plastic-sheets-250x250.jpg

Information adapted from “http://www.ides.com/info/generics/3/Acrylic-Acrylic”