Thanks for the models!

Good work this week on getting all those models done.

Have the week off (from the blog that is)

Robbie

--
Dr Robbie Napper
Lecturer
Industrial Design
Monash University

On vacation

No blog post this week! Im off to hawaii guys

sorry forget to leave my name. YIFU

YIFU

watermelon

My did a few changes to my model while i making it. Firstly i redesigned the button in the middle, i also get rid of the button on the top as i thought it might confuse users. the bottom support probably one of my boldest decisions made in the final.. it is better than the original design i think.

unfortunately a lot designs are not showing on the foam model, they are very fine details which i am afraid to destroy the whole model, in fact this watermelon form is not as easy as it looks like. This is my fifth piece already, 

Ahhhh!

Above are blurry photos of my foam model and part of my exploded view. Sorry about the quality, a webcam is the closest thing I have to a camera. I haven't done much to the interface or overall design since presenting this model as one of my three concept sketches. I have added an on/off button and a headphone jack. I decided to use a single scroll wheel because I found it to be common on many internet radios, especially cars which seem to use the wheel almost exclusively. It's still a bit clunky but it's a compromise I took for the sake of form. Lazy, I know.

As for the model itself, I HATE IT. Who could have thought someone could get a model so simple so wrong. I'm going to make the top buttons sick out a lot less and make it all smooter but otherwise I dunno.

-Tom Millward

Forgot the Photo

Ross

big old softie - sort of.

So this is where ive got to with the soft model, used a bit spare perspex for a screen and pvc pipe for the tubing - the lathe disliked my idea of turning a 250mm length of foam down to 50mm diameter.

Changes, i decreased the size of the dials, might narrow them down further if i have time, they just dont really look dainty enough. but otherwise its all pretty much how i thought it should be. I learnt quite a lot along the way, hopefully this will actually be a quick modelling process next time!

Ed Hamer

PAWSHQWERF Black and Decked!

I have just come home from a typical afternoon working at Target where customers come and return products because they don't work or simply just do not want what they purchased. Okay fair enough.
However I just had to share with you the Black and Decker 12V Dustbuster® Pivot® Hand Vac http://www.blackanddecker.com.au/homeproducts/productdetails/catno/PV1210/
Looks neat yeh...ha ha ha...no. The design is impossible to fit back into its packaging box, and it has all these parts that are meant to move if you press this button but they are not good pushy inner buttons, you need some real force behind it. Be careful when you charge it as it stands on its end on this flat charging base. Many times it was knocked over and then the filter and dust compartments would fall out on the floor. Not cool.

I guess what I am trying to vent about is...this is a good example of where practicality needs to be considered and where it is going to be stored and not just about cool shapes - and even packaging it back into the box. I know they boxes are designed certain ways but this one it is probably as bad as solving a Rubiks cube to put the product back in if you want to store it or return it etc. Maybe it is easy for the user, but I sure didn't feel it would work well.

Anyways back to the drawing board trying to make my radio not like that hand vacuum cleaner.

Mote.

Soft as a baby's bottom

Throughout the modelling process i altered a couple of things. The front volume knob now protrudes from the face instead of being recessed flush with the speaker grill. I change this as the outer hole would of been too large for the rest of the radio body. The finished product has a few beauty spots (burn marks) but apart from that I am happy.

Ben

tip top soft model

The basic form is in, but some sanding refinement and further button
and screen detailing need to be added in.
I found this fairly organic form fairly difficult to shape out but am
very glad I used blue foam instead of white as I think the white foam
on the lathe tends to take out messy chunks.
Also, the dremmel machine proved to be very handy with the speaker
grill detailing and the set in buttons. Definately worth while for
finishing and smaller aspects of modelling.

Steph Tan

Radio Soft Model

So here's my soft model for my radio design, which is almost finished. It's still missing a screen and some control buttons.

There's a few changes I've made to my chosen design. The size of the radio is now slightly smaller than what it was supposed to be, because when I was sanding my foam block, it was difficult for me to sand it to a flat surface. I ended up sanding away too much foam, but lucky me, the size it is now is still big enough to fit the technical package. I've also changed the design of the hinge. Instead of a visible hinge sticking out on the side of the radio, I've managed to hide it within the form. So now it's a nice cube.

Overall, I'm happy with the outcome of my soft model. I think foam is fairly easy to work with, but maybe this is my first time making a soft model, this has taken longer than I expected.

--

Hannie Choi

Soft Model

I made a few changes to my design before construction. I decided to get rid of the volume dial off the front face and move it to the smallest block, so that it can be adjusted when the radio is face down. In order to allow the radio to be face down I had to in-lay the buttons next to the screen. The only other change I made was to put the speaker cloth/grills on all four sides. Its pretty rough, but you get the idea…

 

Sean H

Work in Progress

Here is my work in progress on the foam model, and a drawing of my final design.

Changes from the concept are using 4 rather than 6 faces on the sides. I also added the downward sloping section at the front and the 'gills along the top front face.

Andrew

As close as as i could get it...

I found my design extremely difficult to make, so I simplified the form. I tried to make it smoother and more have a more organic form. I also smoothed out the bottom, and didn't make the speakers tilt out in different directions. I still attempted to retain the assymetrical aspect of my radio, with the speakers at different sizes, but it is much more simple compared to my original designs. It was as close as could. I intended to contrast smooth and sharp surfaces for my radio, but I wasn't able to.

I could not get a smooth finish on the surface with the white foam which was very disappointing.

Rohan

Soft model

Hi y'all,

This is my final form, I'm still yet to attach buttons, dials, drill holes for speaker grills and  a headphone jack etc. To represent the display screen, I've used a clear plastic, the type used for the cover of binded books.

So I had a rather stable looking (or boring) design to start with so I've decided to make a few changes in terms of size to make my design appear more edgy! 

Changes:

- Increased the size of the display screen to facilitate easy reading and scrolling between stations.
- Increased the radius of curvature of the sides to give the form a more interesting look, as if the back will eventually converge.

- Increased the radius of curvature of the top face make the form look more dynamic. 

--

Cynthia Tang

Foam-Works

Well, as you can see I'm pretty much done. I added an illustration of the speaker cover texture as I feel that it does impact the way one would visually assess the form.

Since the pinup I've refined the proportions of the main body to the base, adjusted the speaker grill size and shape, segmented the control scheme differently and added the all important battery hatch.

I'm happy with the way it's turned out but I think the design could have been pushed that little bit further given the opportunity to think solely about the radio towards the end, as opposed to being forced to significantly partition my thinking.

Sleek angular pose...

Sorry about the quality, just took it on the laptop camera. This photo just shows off the battery hatch and separation method.

-Tahl

Under construction.....

HELLOOOOOOO EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!,....sorry, I think I've inhaled too much blue foam.

As with everyone's foam model, I am still in the stages of finishing my model. I've chosen to use blue foam cause I wanted a cleaner surface finish, something I've had trouble achieving in the past when using white foam. 

I've made a few changes to my chosen design. I found the outer edge corner of the original design was too harsh and contrasted too much to the soft concave form of the middle section, so I decided to increased the radius around the corners. I also thickened the width of the outer shell. I believe that this gives the radio a bolder appearance and also provides a nice frame around all the details on the inside. I made the radio more user friendly by putting the screen on a slight angle. However, there largest change would have to be the interface design. The section with the volume and tuning click wheel will now be detachable from the main body of the radio, and will act as a remote control. This will also reveal another click wheel for navigating through the menu and a keypad (similar to that of a mobile phone) behind the remote once it is removed.

To finish of the model, I need to refine the click wheels and buttons drill holes for the speaker grills on the concave section.

-Phi Do.

Almost finished

Here is my internet radio soft model which is getting close to being completed, only a few more finishing touches to be made. There have been few changes from my final design to the soft model, mostly with the angles of the speakers being altered slightly. One thing that i may change on the model is the buttons in the centre of the speaker as they stick out too far and do not complement the form.  I found it worth wile doing a foam model as it has helped me to understand the curves of the shape and speaker angles in a 3d format. Overall i am happy with the outcome due to its organic form being different to the other radios on the market.

 

Jarrod Burge

 

 

radio model

This is a my radio model so far, I have not been able to finish it yet.

With this design I found the foam initially hard to use, and unsure as to how to actually build and carve this model. I had to change my original design I wanted to construct, because I found it was to difficult of a design to build. The idea was to have two wings that connected at the top and covered the main body of the radio and covering the screen. But I changed It back to my original design where the side area is the screen, worked by LED lights.

I still want to maybe re-build the model so It follows how I actually want to create my model

 

Kate

Soft Model Radio in Progress

I've stuck pretty close to my radio design but in the process has changed the screen functionality. Instead of making the screen stationery, I've decided to make it move side to side to either increase or decrease the volume. I've still got to finish a few buttons and actually stick the three layers together. I might play around with the edges to give it a more stylistic look. I experimented a little with spare blue foam in the workshop and it produces a much more crisper look, so I'll definately try to get my hands on that foam for the Good Measure project model.

Honestly, I've encountered a few second thoughts about this design due to its simplicity. It looks pretty sleek and smooth on paper but as soon as I started constructing the model, the simple design made me think it might have been too simple. However, I still have faith that it can end up looking sophisticated and fresh. 

Soft Model

The volume dial in the centre of my radio design is kind of the main feature of the radio, and is meant to be reminiscent of home theatre amps, and so has copped a lot of adjustments. The dial protrudes a lot less than i had planned (because it made my radio look like pinocchio). In my design a lot of the details such as athe screen and the speakers which seems kinda sus now that ive said it but honestly i can't think of a way to expose them without completely changing my design.

-Alex B 

iMote

I hate to disappoint you all but there will be no Justin Beiber blog posts, or fart machine ones either this week, it is all about business. So I thought I would write to you all in a formal letter.

Dear fellow designers of IDE1112,

I am writing to you in regards to the soft model that I have completed. I have to say that I am disappointed in this white foam that was supplied to us. I have heard around that this too was a difficulty for some of us too. Either Holly had bought back lots of snow from Mount Bulla or the amount of polystyrene foam attached to me was just a true indication of how hard I was working!

My design has taken a few twists and turns over the past few weeks. Some of my ideas began quite conceptual and I was quite certain about wanting to keep my radio out of the box shape. Exploring ideas of connection and motion in my designs was tricky to find a balance with DAB and Internet radio as they have a growing list of radio genres and radio broadcasters. However I felt that by having two radios that connect to each other that this would be a new product for the radio world. I tried to interpret symbols such as the ying and yang and other eye magic tricks, much like the two faces that create the vase.
From my observations of dials and buttons, and their uses on actual radios in store. I was able to also reflect this knowledge into my design.

Overall, the time period that we have had to complete this project and this being our first design project for IDE1112, I feel I have learnt more about radios and the process of design than I would have before. I feel confident enough to turn around in the pub and say to someone "Oh, you want to talk about radios...well!"

Kind Regards,

Foam Model Maker Mote (with a degree of stress)

foam model work in progress

this is my foam model, i was having trouble shaping it on the wood
lath, it was quite hard to get the wood filer to easily cut the
surface of the foam is it just chips off. i might have to try it
again, as the top is a bit lob sided and thin.

avinda

Model

My design hasn't changed all that much from the concepts, just little tweaks and refinements that you would expect.  I have changed the shapes of all the chrome mouldings and the size of the screen.  Also i added and changed the buttons and dials so they are more useful as an internet radio and to complement the design better.  The model isn't finished but gives an idea where its going.

 

Ross Thomas

Soft Model

This is my radio, not yet finished. Buttons and screen have been made just have some glueing to go. I have changed some of the 
tuning dials and the positioning of them. Otherwise its the same as my original concept.

Igor J.

soft model

Incomplete photo of model. Currently having lots of trouble with the foam. this is currently my third attempt and things are looking up.... long way still to go! however, we still got till Tuesday. i am hoping to get it done by then.

lachy marshall.

Sooooofft model

So here's an image of my soft model at the moment. I kept the main form of my original design, but heck even though they are all flat surfaces boy it was a pain in the butt to cut them S:
As far as changes go I removed the back speakers as I thought it was a bit over the top and added a front screen which merges in with the bigger main speaker.

Mey Chiam

Radio Soft Model

So here's my radio foam model, not yet finished and there's still some work ahead. So far, I have got the basic shape of my model. I still need to add the speakers, the screen and maybe get a better surface finish. I didn't really make any changes to the design. I tapered one end of the radio and will probably cut a cm off from the thickness of both halves as it looks a bit bulky at the moment. I have decided to make the speakers and screen from white foam to make it stand out, and making it easier to understand the model.

Dwayne Chung.

picture attachments

o and here are the picture attachments whoops!

bishavjot singh

Soft Model of Radio

Sorry robbie this ones a bit late, i actually just finished my model a few minutes ago

I have not changed much in the design of my internet radio device. I have incorporated an input for 3.5mm headphones, as this is also a portable device. To make this model i used a bandsaw, and a metal lathe so i could get the precise round curves and measurements for the model. My design mainly consists of the round foam being recessed to show the depth of layers in the actual design of the product.

Bishavjot Singh

Getting there...

Hi guys,

 

As you can see, I haven't quite finished. Foam and I haven't been getting along very well. What you see is my second attempt; the disc sander decided to play hard ball and melt my first one. The blue foam on the outside is supposed to represent a different material. Anyway, I'm happy with the way it's going.

 

I haven't made any drastic design changes whilst using the foam. I'm going to use the clear acryllic as the two ends that hold the main radio body off the ground as if it is hovering. I did make two foam ends but they didn't hold together as well as I'd hoped. So, I know it's not using foam but I find if I did, I wouldn't be able to show the true shape and communicate my design in the way I would like.

 

Back to work :)

 

Matthew Van

 

 

Model of the Soft Variety

I haven't made any drastic changes to my design. 
I mainly played with the design of the main power button, and screen on top of the radio. The location of the speakers has also changed around a bit, as they were originally on top of the radio, but I moved them to the front where they would sit behind a flat grill.

The radio's rectangular form, featuring a large cavity through the bottom half, has been retained throughout the process.

Dael Matyas
 

My soft model

I have not finished my soft model yet and I haven't put some details on my radio. But in my mind, I have already decided what to change.  What I am going to change is to make the radio as simple as possible, and to give clear sense to customers.

There were several dials to change stations, volume and to select and to cancel. But I have decided to get rid of them. Instead of dials, I will let the speakers and the screens play a role in dials. For example, if you turn the cylindrical screen to the right or the left, you can change the stations, and when turn the cylindrical speakers to the left or right, you can simply change the volume. Therefore they function very clearly. I reckon this functional simplicity will let users easily understand how to use this radio.

Another change is that I am going to put the button on the top of each leg except batter leg. This button on the normal station leg will be the button to choose favorite stations. And the button on the favorite leg will be used when you cancel the station from your favorite.

 

Soon Myoung Suh (Richard)