A551 Project

By Thuken Nithiyarajan

Situation Most teenagers, who are between 16-18 years old, study late at night. This is because `40% of the teenagers go to bed after 11pm`.This evidence is from the http://www.mathgoodies.com/articles/teens_sleep.html website. They will be working downstairs.Also,when the teenagers have finished their studies they have to go upstairs to their bedroom meaning they will have to turn on the main lights. As a result, other members of the family will be distracted while they are sleeping.Therefore,I have decided to create a product which will help provide efficient lighting to teenagers while they are working downstairs and to help them go upstairs without distracting their family.

The above picture has been taken from the http://blog.beliefnet.com/markdroberts/2011/01/in-the-news-does-facebook-make-us-more-or-less-social.html website.

The above picture has been taken from the http://jaynrika.blogspot.co.uk/2012_06_01_archive.html website.

The above picture has been taken from http://www.businessinsider.com/ny-employee-accused-of-taking-federal-reserve-code-2012-1 website.

The above picture has been taken from http://www.acclaimimages.com/search_terms/woman_alone_walking_down_the_stairs_of_dark_car_park.html website.Number of

teenagers who study late at

night YesNo

The first three images show three teenagers using the computer light as their only light source. As a result, the two people will suffer from eye or vision symptoms. Studies show that the common symptoms for people who only use computer light while they are on the computer are headaches, blurred vision, eyestrain and dry or irritated eyes. Dr Blakeney,an optometric adviser to the College of Optometrists, states that using computer light as the only light source will cause strain or exacerbate existing eye conditions.

On the left, the pie chart shows the number of teenagers(between 16-18 years old) who study late at night(10pm and onwards). I asked 10 teenagers to find out whether they study late at night.7 teenagers said that they study late at night whereas 3 teenagers do not study late at night.

Design BriefI am going to create a prototype which will enable 16-18 year old teenagers to work downstairs efficiently and help them go upstairs without distracting their family. The product can be used anywhere in the teenager’s house.

Desklamp with detachable torch

Aesthetics

Sleek and attractive

Smooth finish

Aesthetically pleasing to

the user

Appropriate shape

CostAffordable

Environment

Eco-friendly

Environment will not be harmed

Recyable and reused

SafetyNo sharp edges

Product has safety standards

Manufacture

I could use laser Cutting.Therefore,my product will have an

accurate finish

A glue gun would be preferable as it will not

affect the functions of the product

The pillar drill will be useful for my product

Materials

Blue styrofoam

Function

I will use various joints for my product such as

morton and tennon joints, box joints or halving joints

Provide efficient lighting for my brother

Customer

Size

Appropriate size

Needs to be approximately

140mm

Ergonomics and anthropometric data need to

be met on the size of the product

Sandpaper will be helpful so I can smoothen my edges for my

product

Needs to be strong and

durable

Why will styrofoam be used?Because it is sturdy and light

Lightweight

Product needs to be easy to use

Should not distract user’s family

Mindmap

Why should the material be lightweight?

So the teenagers can easily carry my product

Why I am making my product for 16-18 year old?My quick questionnaire shows that 70% of 16 – 18 year old teenagers do their homework late at night after 10pm.

How can my product be affordable?By making sure that my product is set at a lower price

What are the disadvantages of styrofoam?Styrofoam are difficult to dispose of and it never degrades in landfills

Who does my product apply to?Teenagers who are between 16-18 years old

Why should my product be affordable?So that every teenager between 16-18 years old can buy my product

Where will the product be used?Anywhere in the house

How to make sure my product does not have any sharp edges?By filing the edges carefully and using an appropriate sandpaper

Why should my product not contain any sharp edges?So that my users will not be injured using my product

Why does the product need to be easy to use?So my users will not experience difficulties using my product

How can my product be easy to use?By making sure my product is simple, therefore it will not be complicated

Where can I access this data?By using the anthropometrics data sheet

Where can I get styrofoam from?From warehouses and from the internet

How is the pillar drill useful?To drill holes in my product

Why does it need to be strong and durable?So that my product will last for a longer time

Lifestyle of 16-18 year old teenagersMy target market are students who are in full time education. They finish school by 3:30pm.Then,they go to their homes and do their school homework. Their school homework involves using a computer and they do it for several hours. This is because they have to meet deadlines set by the teachers or else they will get into trouble.Afterwards,when my target market have finished their homework they need to go upstairs in order to sleep in their bedroom.However,they need to turn the main lights on in order to go upstairs. This is a concern because my target market are distracting their family. My target market’s parents have to go to work and also their younger siblings have to go to school the next day. This shows that they should not be distracted. Therefore I am going to create a product which will provide efficient lighting to the 16-18 year old teenagers downstairs and also not to distract their family while they are sleeping upstairs.

AcrylicWhat can I do with the acrylic?I can bend the acrylic

How can I bend the acrylic?By using a line bender

Why is the line bender useful?So I can have a smooth neat bend on the acrylic

What does line bending involve?Heating a thermoplastic sheet material above a strip heater until it becomes soft and pliable then bending it, usually over a former.

Anthropometrics and ErgonomicsThe two pieces of information will be useful because it will help me create an appropriate length for the switch, which will be used for my product.

My brother would fit in this category as he is 11 years old.

The finger length of my brother should be 89mm and the thumb length should be 56mm.Therefore,the user will not experience problems with switching on and off the switch.

The diameter of the torch should be between 41mm and 53mm.This will ensure that my brother will have a comfortable grasp.

This information can be used as my brother will need to use grip from his hand to hold the torch in his hand.

This information will be helpful in order to find out the appropriate finger grip required to remove the torch from my product..

The finger grip should be between 102mm and 107mm so that my brother will not have any difficulty removing the torch from my product.

Concluding statementIn conclusion I have found out that these three dimensions are important in order to make my product. This is because the product I will design will consist of the right sizes for the user and therefore comfortable to eye.Also,the user will not experience any difficulties because I have an appropriate anthropometric data.

My brother is a male.

Opening statementWhile I am designing my product, I have to consider the ergonomics and anthropometric. I have carried out appropriate research which are shown on the left side of this page.

Questionnaire and resultsOpening statementThe product ,which I will model, is for my brother as he is my target market. I have made a questionnaire which consists of 8 questions. I needed to ask my brother the 8 questions so that I will be able to know what things I need to include in order for my product to be successful.

Above, is my brother’s response to the questionnaire.

Analysing my findingsAfter asking my brother 8 questions, I have found out that he uses the desk lamp for 91 minutes per day.Therefore,the product which I will make must last for a long time.Also,my brother has given the measurements of the table he wishes to put the desklamp on. This is helpful as I will be able to have an appropriate size for my product e.g. height. My brother wanted the materials which are used to make the product to be recyable. This is because it is better for the environment. He also wants to have control over the brightness so that he can adjust the brightness of the light.Finally,the material my brother wanted the product is styrofoam. This is because styrofoam is light and it does not consist of sharp edges.Therefore,the user will not get injured.

Questionnaire1) Are you a male or a female?2)

Specification