Special Carriers

9/24/2019

Creating 1/2 of a cube

To get a better sense of the material–cardboard– that will be used for this project, I explored different ways of forming 1/2 of a cube, using 3cardboard squares.

To begin, I came up with 3 different methods:

The first method is to cut out each side of the box individually. One square will have two flaps sticking out for attaching to the other squares; one will have no flap, and the other with have one flap. I planned on using white liquid glue to attach the sides together. I chose to try this method because it seems to be simple and study; therefore, it might be useful when I am actually making the carrier.

For the second method, I tried using one continuous piece of cardboard. This method might be the most study because it has no separate parts.

The third method is more complicated than the first two. I tried to connect the three cardboard pieces together by using only one string, made out from cardboard, tying all the three pieces together.

Method 1

Cutting out the cardboard squares for method 1 is fairly easy. After drawing my first square, I realized that the triangular ruler is very useful for this step of the procedure. It allows me to create a perfect 90º angle, making the two sides perpendicular to each other.

To glue them together, I decided to use the white liquid glue because I already have it. However, the liquid glue didn’t seem to work well. It took too long to dry, resulting in the possibility of the square panels to shift from its intended alignment. To solve this problem, I borrowed clear tape from a friend and used it to support the glue. This definitely worked better as the tape allowed for instant adhesion.

Method 2 &3

For method two, I used the same technique as method one to trace the different parts of my 1/2 box as it worked out well.

The only change I made was, instead of using liquid glue, I used tape as I learned from the first 1/2 box that liquid takes time to dry. Having only one piece of cardboard, as I anticipated, was also easier to work with. I had to only attach two sides instead of three.

I also attempt to do method three. I was interested in this method because I wanted to try coming up with a method where gluing of any sort is not involved. However, when I was almost done, I ripped two of my square panels, trying to fit my string through. If I were to do this method again, I would make my string smaller and add more than one point of attachment so that the 1/2 box would be sturdier.

Reflection

Here are some things that I learned from this project:

1. The triangular ruler is better than the normal ruler for getting straight edges.
2. Folding the cardboard along the same way with the fluting is easier than folding against the fluting.
3. Tape or hot glue might be better for this project as they allow for quicker adhesion.

Creating the Assigned Object From Cardboard

9/26/2019

In this mini-project, I observed the form of the wine glass, my assigned object, and explored the different techniques for manipulating the cardboard by creating a model of the wine glass from the cardboard.

For this assignment, I started by testing out different ways of manipulating the cardboard to mimic the curvy shape of the wine glass. The first idea I came up with was to create the wine glass by cutting cardboard out in circles, then layering them. This method would enable the rigid cardboard to create curves. However, After testing this method out for a while, I realized that unlike a donut, the edge of the wine glass is very thin; therefore, using this method might not be the most effective. I tested out other methods then concluded that I would make the curve of the wine glass by scoring. I decided to do this because scoring allows the cardboard to have more flexibility, which means that it can copy the shape of the wine glass. Turning the cardboard pieces sideway and stacking them up also allowed me to get a slimmer edge for the wine glass.

After coming with a plan, I started scoring my cardboard pieces with an X-Acto knife. I used an X-Acto knife instead of a cutter knife because it allows more precision when cutting.

After scoring six cardboard pieces, I arranged them into the wine glass-shape before gluing them together with hot glue and tape. I then created a circular base and a stem before sticking all the pieces together.

Reflection & Moving Forward

Here are some things that I learned from this assignment

1. Scale is crucial. Keep in mind how big the model is compared to the real wine glass.
2. Pay closer attention to the transition throughout the form of the wine glass.
3. Steve’s suggestion: look at the wherry of a boat. How can this be applied to the model?
4. Don’t forget to think about the weight of the model compared to the weight of the real object.
5. Try breaking the wine glass in simple geometric components, which would be easier for mimicking.
6. Use a new technique such as folding by using a bone folder. This might allow for a rounder edge than scoring.
7. Measure the exact dimension of the wine glass before actually making the wine glass.

Second Iteration of the Wine Glass

9/28/2019

After a deep reflection, I came up with a new plan for making the wine glass out of cardboard. I decided to divide the wine glass into 4 simple geometric components: a cone that makes up the base of the wine glass, a cylinder that makes up the stem, a bigger cone that makes up the bottom of the actual glass, and a cylinder that makes up the top part of the glass. I decided to do so as it seemed like a simpler and effective way. After measuring all the dimensions, to get the exact form, I constructed the different geometric shapes on my laptop.

I then printed them out and construct them as a prototype, seeing what I visualized in reality before actually creating the wine glass.

After making sure that the dimensions were correct, I proceeded by tracing the printed pieces onto the cardboard and cutting them out with my cutting knife. This time, instead of scoring, I decided to use my bone folder. I manipulated the cardboard by applying pressure on it, collapsing the fluting inside. This allows the cardboard to become more flexible like normal paper as the fluting was holding the rigid structure of the cardboard together. Next, I used my bone folder to create ridges along the cardboard, enabling them to fold in the direction that I wanted. Although using hot glue will allow for better precise adhesion, I did not have it. Therefore, I came up with the alternative of using tape.

Overall, I was able to capture the characteristics of the wine glass better by using the second method. Keeping in mind the class discussion, where other students talked about different techniques they used to capture the transitions in the object’s form, I was able to come up with a better procedure. Nevertheless, there also a few things that I can improve upon such as craft and cutting precision.

Reflection & Moving Forward

1. How can I show more care and intent through my creation? Put tape inside instead of outside? Maybe this will make the object cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing?
2. What aspects of this iteration are applicable to creating an actual carrier?

Carrier 1.0

9/30/2019

After creating 2 iterations of the wine glass, I now moved on to creating my first carrier. My design process started with observing wine glass carriers that are available in today’s market. Most of them are in some sort of a cubical form as it is both easy to manufacture and carry around. Therefore, I began my exploration by creating a stable, cuboid, box that would be able to protect my fragile wine glass.

After knowing what I wanted to do, I came up with 2 designs for my box. I decided to sketch them out on my sketchbook to visualize them better before choosing one design and drawing the template of the box onto a piece of cardboard. For attaching the sides together, I also used tape as the same when I created the second wine glass. However, instead of putting the tape outside, I put the tape inside the box to create a more clean look.

A latch and a flap were also added to the box for easy opening and secure closing. After the carrier is finished, I tested its usability by putting my actual wine glass in the box and carrying it around the studio. After doing so, I realized that there was a problem: the wine glass was not stable inside the box. To solve this problem, I created a holder inside the box to stop unwanted movements. In addition, the holder also prevented the wine glass from falling out when the box is opened or held in the wrong way.

Reflection & Moving Forward

During today’s class discussion, there were many points made that I should consider for the second iteration of my carrier:

1. How can I make the experience of opening my carrier a more enjoyable one?
2. What aspects from this iteration can be applied to my next one, which needs to carry 2 wine glasses instead of 1?
3. Am I understanding and respecting the materiality of the material that I am using?
4. How can I make my carrier more advance yet practical?

Carrier 2.0

10/3/2019

Keeping my reflection on the first carrier in mind, I came up with a new, improved carrier. I decided to create a carrier that could hold two wine glasses. Unlike a typical stemware box that you would see at Target or Walmart, I came up with a carrier that would open from the middle, revealing two wine glasses, oriented in opposite directions, attached to each side of the box. This element would improve the actual experience of opening the box. Similar to the procedure from my first iteration, I drew a rough sketch and create a template that I, later on, drew on the cardboard.

In this iteration, the box would be held together by a flap that is inserted into the other side of the box. I also created holders for my second carrier as it worked out well for my first carrier.

I also oriented the wine glasses in different directions as this would save more space and create a more slender box. The orientation of glasses also contributed to the aesthetic of the box.

Reflection & Moving Forward

In class, we also came up with a list of Project Criteria that I should keep in mind for my next iteration:

1. Try to make the carrier communicate what it is holding inside.
2. The usage of the carrier should be intuitive. The shape of the carrier to give cues to how it should be held.
3. The penalty for misuse should be low.
4. The carrier should communicate care and intent.
5. The carrier should be able to protect the object it is holding.
6. The experience of opening the carrier should be enjoyable.
7. Should not use adhesive

Carrier 3.0

10/8/2019

In this iteration, I tried to incorporate the criteria discussed into my carrier, mainly focusing on mimicking the wine glass’s form. I also experimented with building my carrier without using any adhesive as I would not be able to do so in my final product. The main mechanism– the carrier opening from both sides–would remain from the last iteration. While I was asking for feedback, many people said that they enjoyed the experience of revealing the wine glasses from the middle. I also really like this mechanism as it adds to the elegance of the representation of the wine glasses.

Similar to my procedure in other iterations, I started by creating a template for my carrier.

The template consisted of one circle that would serve as the base for the carrier, two semicircles for the lid, and two rectangles for the sides of the carrier. To create the curve for the sides, I planned on using the scoring technique. Cutting only through one side of the cardboard would allow it to bend and fit the circular base. After cutting out the template, I tried to fit the pieces together; however, I ran into trouble: I could not attach the lids to the sides as the cardboard’s integrity had been weakened from scoring. As I tried to create slots on the sides for attaching my lids, the cardboard would just tear apart. To resolve this issue, I came up with a new method. Instead of inserting the lids to the sides, I would insert the sides into the lids and bottom. I also wanted my carrier to open up at a wider angle. To accomplish this, I plan to make a bigger circular bottom. Then I would score the two divided sides of the base, leaving space in between them. I abandoned my first template and cut out each piece separately.

After cutting each piece out, I then attached them according to what I planned out. The carrier came out to look like this:

Reflection & Moving Forward

During class, I received feedback from classmates and professors which can be summarized to these following points:

1. The shape of the carrier is round but not communicative. It is too big for 2 wine glasses carrier.
2. The structure is not stable. Find different ways of attaching the different pieces together.
3. The carrier is hard to hold. What can I do to make carrying the carrier easier?
4. Try to use a subtractive technique rather than adding more cardboard pieces to the carrier.

From these responses, I realized that my carrier does not have to be in a cylindrical shape to represent the wine glasses. For the next carrier, I planned to go back to the box form because of its structural strength; however, I would apply different subtractive techniques to expose and represent my wine glasses unlike what I did in Carrier 2.0.

Apart from the feedback on the technical aspects of the carrier, I also learned something valuable about the mindset of being a design. Even though this carrier seemed like a total failure to me as it could not actually hold the two wine glasses after many trials, I learned that as a designer, I should agonize over it. Instead, I should see failure as a normal occurrence in the process of design and should try to learn from it. This realization was sparked in today’s class as Steve said something along the line of:

“as long as you learn from this carrier to improve the next carrier, this carrier is not a total failure.”

Carrier 4.0

10/10/2019

For this carrier, I went back to the cuboid form similar to Carrier 2.0. However, unlike Carrier 2.0, I planned to add three additional elements that would improve the representation and interaction of the carrier.

1. I would add some curvatures to the openings of the box.
2. I would use a subtractive method to create the holders for the wine glasses.
3. I would cut out some parts of the carrier to expose my wine glasses and create a placing for holding.

To achieve all of this, I started testing the different aspects I wanted to create with my Carrier 2.0 because of its similar form to this iteration.

By cutting out different parts of carrier 2.0, I was able to visualize my ideas better. It showed me what I have to modify in this iteration to create curves and openings. From this, I then created a template for my new carrier.

As can be seen, the curves are added to the openings of the box to parallel the curves on the two wine glasses. From this step, I then created the holders by cutting out the sides of the carrier. Doing so would allow me to use only one piece of cardboard for the carrier instead of adding more pieces to the carrier like my other iterations.

Reflection & Moving Forward

Overall, this iteration seems to be representing the wine glasses better. However, I still had trouble with attaching and holding the different parts of the carrier together. When I talked to Zoe, she recommended that I look at how a shoebox is held together. She also suggested that I should make the box more communicative of how it should be held. As for my final carrier, I should work on the following points:

1. Come up with a new method to make the wine glass holders stronger.
2. The carrier should be more communicative about how it should be held.
3. Create even more curvatures to make the carrier’s form more representative and interesting.

Final Carrier

10/15/2019

For the last carrier, I came up with a new net that would include more curvatures and resolve the problem of weak holders.

Instead of using a subtractive method, I decided to use tabs for the wine glass holders as this would provide more sturdiness and a method of attaching both sides of the box together. I also created curves by cutting out parts of the cardboard, allowing the wine glasses to be visible. The sides of the box are also cut out in different curves to create a smoother and softer feel to the cuboid box.

After finishing this carrier, I talked to Stacie, which was when I realized that there were many more problems that I overlooked:

1. The wine glass holders are not practical as the tabs will loosen after time.
2. Come up with a new way to hold the sides together.
3. Although there are curvatures on the box, they do not represent the curves on the wine glass as they are more subtle and smooth.
4. A visual cue should be added to show how the carrier is held.

To address the first issue, I experimented with many methods. However, the method that worked out the best is by attaching the sides together with one tab, using a subtractive method.

In addition to connecting the two sides together, the tab would also serve as a tool that would lock the wine glass in place.

I also chose to make simpler curvatures for the cutout and the sides as they would represent the wine glass even better.

For the last problem, I created a handle that would tell people to put their hands through and hold the carrier securely to their sides.

Final Product

Reflection on Special Carrier

1. EXPLORE MORE IDEAS BEFORE COMMITTING TO ONE

It is important to be open-minded to many techniques. This is very important because having limited ideas might lead you to go on the wrong path without realizing it. This ultimately should sabotage your project as you try to improve that wrong idea, digging yourself into a deeper hole.

2. ALWAYS LEARN FROM PAST ITERATIONS

As a designer, it is important to always reflect back on your past work as it will guide you forward. Getting feedback from other people is also as important as doing a self-reflection. As I got more immersed in the project, I sometimes overlooked problems that were obvious to others.

3. BE CONSCIOUS OF TIME

During the last night before the project is due, I tried to change my carrier significantly. Not being mindful of time, I almost did not have a workable carrier to present to the class the next morning. For upcoming projects, I should be aware of the time constraint and plan accordingly.