Sample+Middle+School+Design+Folder

=Unit Question= Being organized can make an important difference in getting stuff done. People have different organizational needs and styles. How can I design and create a product that will suits my own personal organizational needs and helps me not forget my school work.

<span style="background-color: #ff9900; border-bottom-color: #9999aa; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: #9999aa; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: #9999aa; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: #9999aa; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #ffffff; display: block; font-size: 24px; font-variant: small-caps; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; width: 70%;">**Investigation**

Unit Question Interpreted / Design Situation
Sometimes my desk can get a bit messy and I can loose important papers. All my teachers use regular printer paper which looks the same when it is stacked up together. Also these papers can get pretty ratty looking in my book bag. When I put them on my desk it can get messy fast. If I had a better way to organize my papers on my desk I think it would improve the situation a lot.

Guiding Questions
Here is a list of all the questions I thought of in my process of trying to solve the Unit Problem.
 * What materials do we have in the DT lab?
 * What limits are there in my products and solutions
 * What tools can I use?
 * How can I know if the product is environmentally friendly?
 * What is the best way to work with plywood?
 * How can I make plywood products look there best?
 * What shows good craftsmanship?
 * What kind of finishes or paint are available to me?

Mind Map about the Unit Question
To investigate the Unit Question I have we created a mind map. I used the main ideas from the unit question as the bubbles and then brainstormed about each one. One of the ideas that came out was that I have a lot of papers and handouts that need to be organized better.



My Desk (Existing Conditions - Proof of the Problem)
My desk is proof of the my organization problem. The picture below show how my desk can be very **unorganized**. Notice that there are a lot of papers on it. Most of these are from school hand outs. I think teachers are part of problem because they give out too many handouts.

Research into existing products
As part of my investigation I will explore what products are available to solve the problem and evaluate them. I will compare products based on
 * looks
 * how well the product solves the problem
 * cost
 * features
 * environmental impact

Mesh Design $39.00
 * [[image:Basics_Plus_Metal_Desk_Organizer400.jpg width="320" height="318"]] || [[image:Safco_2-Shelves_6-Slot_400px.jpg width="320" height="320"]] || [[image:Lipper_Bamboo_Organizer400.jpg width="320" height="320"]] ||
 * **Basics Plus**

http://www.basicsplus.com/DESIGN-IDEAS-Mesh-Desk-Organizer-Silver-2933 || **Safco 2-Shelves / 6-Slot Leather Look** Leather Design $54.99

http://www.desksetshop.com/office-desk-accessories/file-organizers/safco2shelves6slotleatherlookdesktoporganizer.cfm || **Lipper 4 Tier Design** Bamboo Design $24.99

http://www.bambooki.com/bamboo-4-tier-desk-organizer-by-lipper-international ||

Materials Research
Plywood PVA Edge Banding

Technique Research


 * ~ Design Brief ||
 * I will create a desk organizer for all my papers and handouts. It will solve the problem of my messy desk because it will allow me organize all my handouts by subject area. ||

Design Brief
I will create a desk organizer for all my papers and handouts. It will solve the problem of my messy desk because it will allow me organize all my handouts by subject area.

Design Specification
> **TEST : I will measure the plywood to verify** > **TEST: I will cut out a paper sample that is the same size as my product and check it on the desk** > **TEST: I will test the product with actual handouts to see if they fit** > **TEST: I will ask my Mom if she thinks it looks good** > **TEST: I will make sure to check if my materials are sustainable** > **TEST: I will check if my materials are from a local source** > **TEST: I will keep track of wasted materials and try to reduce waste. I will also try and reuse materials if possible.** > **TEST: I will try organizing my papers and evaluate ease of use.** > **TEST: I will ask others to try my product and give feedback** > **TEST: I will place the product on my desk and see if it rocks!** > **TEST: Check that parts line up well and are sanded smooth** > **TEST: Check that fasteners are minimally visible and nail wholes are covered with wood putty** > **TEST: Check that product is properly finished with gloss or paint.**
 * Must be made from 1/2 plywood
 * Must fit on my desk
 * Must have multiple compartments for organizing **letter size** printouts
 * Must be attractive
 * Must be environmentally friendly
 * Must be easy to organize my papers
 * Must be sturdy and not wobble
 * Must show good craftsmanship

<span style="background-color: #ff9900; border-bottom-color: #9999aa; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: #9999aa; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: #9999aa; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: #9999aa; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #ffffff; display: block; font-size: 24px; font-variant: small-caps; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; width: 70%;">**Design**

Design 1 - 3 Shelf Vertical Organizer
This design is very simple and solves the unit question by providing three shelves for organizing all my papers. It has feet on the bottom which can be adjusted to make the product stable. The shelves are a little bit bigger than "letter size" paper so the handouts can lay flat. Also there is enough extra room for your hand to easily pick up pages as needed.

This product meets all of the specifications listed above.


 * Pros**
 * Simple effective design
 * Should be easy to build in the time available
 * Product has a small foot print. It will fit on my desk without taking up too much room.
 * Design has attractive proportions
 * Does not waste materials
 * Cons**
 * Only 3 shelves which may fill up quickly
 * Design may be a little bit boring

Design 2 - Two Shelf Horizontal Organizer
Design 2 is bigger and more complex. It is designed to fit along the back of my desk. There are 8 compartments for different kinds of papers. This design also has legs so I can put stuff underneath the organizer too. I could add labels to cubbies for each of my classes. The cubbies are large enough for letter size paper.

This product can meet all specifications listed in the design specification.


 * Pros**
 * More compartments
 * Clean balanced design
 * Fits on back of the desk
 * Cons**
 * Uses more resources
 * May not work well on desk with a computer monitor
 * May take too long to build



Design 3 - 6 Shelf Design with open sides

 * SELECTED DESIGN **



Design 3 has 6 shelves and is open on the sides. I have also added a slight curve to to the front edge so that it will be easier to pick up pages on the shelf. Like design one, the foot print of the product is small and it will fit nicely on my desk. The open sides will make it easier to see what is on the shelves when you look at it from the sides.

Pros
 * Can organize more papers than design one
 * Can see what is on the shelves from 3 sides
 * Curves make easier to pick up papers
 * Simple to construction

Cons
 * covering the plywood edges still needs to be figured out on curved front


 * I selected this design because it meets the specification and it is the most visually appealing. I also feel that it will push me to the limit of my skills but can still be achieved in the time available.**