MS+S2+Elective+-+Verena

=Design Folder - Verena =

Unit Question
Why and how do people need to organize themselves in different ways? Or how can I improve my current situation and discover how organization can work for me?
 * Unit Question:**

Why and how do different people need have their belongings and environment sorted out/organized? Or how can I improve my organization and find out how it can help me in my life?
 * Restate the Unit Question in your own words-**

I am quite organized, schoolwork in binders, homework handed in, yet my desk is usually in a state of disarray, somewhere between method madness, and a bad case of being unable to find anything. There is the occasional loose sheet floating around, I am either lacking in or have too much stationary and I never know what to do with my binders and books all stacked on top of each other.
 * How is the Unit Question relevant to me?**

=Investigation =

Evidence of the Problem


In my room, most of my things are flying around and all my books are stacked up in a pile. Reading books, school books, binders, loose sheets, stationary, you name it is floating around on my desk. When I'm working on projects and can't be bothered to tidy everything up, everything is chaos since I don't really have a place to keep my things until I want to turn my attention to it. However I can usually find everything even though it is a pain in the neck and swallows time; affecting my time management. I just need somewhere/something special where I can easily organize my items in an object that doesn't take up too much space and can contain my objects in an organized manner.



Guiding Questions
> My design should be able to hold all my books / have them all standing upright but not falling over (so I can see and take out objects more easily) / not take up too much space when it sits on my desk / not take up too many materials for the sake of the environment > It should be; supposing that the structure will not collapse on anyone and that it has no razor sharp edges. Not only that but there are no spinning cogs or anything of the sort that could trap someone/something (eg. hair, fingers) After Product Creation: > As long as I have the necessary tools that I can wield as well as wood, I should be able to. After Product Creation: > I try and find the design addresses the problem the best and does not take up too space on my desk. Preferably it shouldn't be too complicated and is able to contain all of my books and papers. > So far all of them address the basics of the problem. However I do have a few concerns with #3 since there is nowhere for my heavy binders and books unless I stack them on top which could cause it to fall. Nonetheless it is a little easier than #1, my best and maybe trickiest idea. > By not using as much wood; not making careless mistakes that would force me to start over or not use an excess of materials. I can turn machines off when I'm not using them or not use them for pointless reasons in order to save electricity.
 * **What should my design be able to do? or What characteristics should my design posses?**
 * How much time do I have and is it enough?I have ? days of class. (Changed every week)
 * **What materials are available to me?**
 * **What tools are available to me?**
 * **How can I use the tools?**
 * **Is my design realistic?**
 * **Is my product safe to use?**
 * **Can I build it?**
 * **How do I choose/identify the best design?**
 * **Do my designs address the problem? Can it contain my stuff in a way that I will find them again without wasting too much time****?**
 * **How can I minimize my impact on the environment?**
 * **Does it take up a lot of space and materials?**



Design Brief
Since I have many books, binders and papers stacked on my desk, I am going to create a (shelf/ books ends/container) to hold all these objects in an organized manner on my desk, intended for people of 10 years and more that want a way to organize their belongings.

= = = Design Specifications =


 * It should be able to contain a few binders and books standing upright without falling over
 * It shouldn't be to heavy
 * It should be able to stay balanced on my desk
 * Any design intended for binders should be 35cm tall and 30cm wide and 30cm long (6 Binders)
 * It should be made of strong dark wood
 * With shelves it should have 2 open ends instead of one
 * Shouldn't take up too much time/space/materials

Tools and Materials

 * 1/2" Plywood
 * 1" Plywood (for scissor knob only)
 * Band Saw
 * Round Saw
 * Clamp
 * Drill Press



Inspiration
Book Organizer- the basic idea is somewhat similar to what I have in mind __china-intime.en.made-in-china.com__

Desk Organizer- I have a lot of papers, pens and scissors flying around.... such a design could solve the problem. __desktoporganizers.org__

=Design & Planning =



Design Idea #1




This can hold all my books, binders, folders and papers. It can even hold cables or maybe my whiteboard on top, and there are shelves for pens, staplers, tape dispensers, rulers and even scissors. I would be able to find everything again and if I made my design so that I could slide the shelves in and out of their grooves, I would have almost unlimited space. It might take up a lot of materials and is a relatively complicated time consuming design but it is almost all squares and rectangles so I can make the best use possible of what I have. It might not be extremely light, but it will stay balanced upon my desk.
 * __Please Note- Dimensions have been changed. See 'Different Views of Final Product' for new basic dimensions.__**

Design Idea #2


This design would not have a negative impact on the environment, and won't take up too much time nor space as long as I use it wisely. It could easily contain a few binders and books without falling apart although my space inside is slightly limited and there is no extra space without any layers and any papers slid inside would immediately be squashed and crumpled. It would appear to be lightweight and wouldn't have too much trouble staying balanced upon my desk. All my items would also be contained in a relatively organized way with me being able to find my items quickly.

Design Idea #3
With two such book ends I could take up as much space as I wanted by widening and shortening the space in between but I don't know if the book ends are strong and stable enough. I also wouldn't be making a great use of space since it is only 1 story high even though it would be relatively easy to create and would not use a lot of materials since it is quite small and light.

Part A1- The Various Parts and Dimensions!

 * Top Section- 1' 1 1/2"/1' 1 1/4"
 * The 2 Sides- 1' 1 1/2"/1' 5 1/2"
 * The 3 Shelves- 1' 1 1/2"/1' 1/4"

Part A2- The Various Parts and Dimensions Extras- All Choice Additions!

 * Scissor Knob- 2"/0.75"
 * Shelf A- 9.5"/2"
 * Shelf B- 1'/4"
 * Shelf C- 6"/4"
 * Shelf D- 2"/2"
 * Shelf E- 11.5"/2"
 * Pen Box Base- 7"/3"
 * Pen Box Front- 7"/4"
 * Pen Box 3 Sides- 2.5"/4"

Part B- Materials!

 * Use 1/2" plywood for everything unless suggested otherwise
 * Use different material for scissor knob

Part 3- Tools!

 * Rulers, Glue and Pens
 * Clamp
 * Band Saw
 * Round Saw
 * Drill Press

Different Views of Final Product (With the extra parts)


=Create =

Planning
Day 1- Day 2- Draw mini shelves on wood from extra box Day 3- Finish cutting mini shelves out Day 4- Put pen box together and start marking the wood for where to put shelves on Day 5- Finish marking wood for where to put shelves on Day 6- Attach mini shelves Day 7- Attach mini shelves Day 8- Attach mini shelves Day 9- Attach big shelves Day 10- Attach big shelves Day 11- Sand the wood... painting?

Process Journal
Process Journal Day 1 April 17 2012

Today I mainly sanded my pieces of wood and finished the various parts and dimensions plan for additional shelves and such. I didn't have much of an idea for what I wanted to get done that day, but I was still pretty happy with what I did. One thing I learned was that if you sand something too much the edges will get round and it will more difficult to put the pieces together.



Process Journal Day 2 April 19 2012

Today I decided on a plan of action and hoped to draw the shapes of the mini shelves on wood and begin to cut them out with help from the band saw. I accomplished just as much. One thing I have to keep in mind is that when I use a guide it will be far more accurate. Also, if I don't want the cut to go full way, stopping it would be a bad idea, simply draw it back out again while it is still running.



Process Journal Day 3 April 23 2012

I had hoped to finish cutting out my small pieces and start marking my big boards for where to fit the shelves onto. Unfortunately I only had enough time to finish the shelves, a job I got through smoothly and well with little or no challenges. My accuracy with the band saw has now got to a point where I no longer need the guide.



Process Journal Day 4 April 25 2012

My plan for today was to put the pen box together and to start marking the wood for where to put the shelves on and I accomplished just as much. A challenge I faced was how to use the clamps efficiently in order to keep my pen box together. Eventually, with some help, I discovered a way. (Not the one in the picture.) I think I did a pretty good job. I also made a change to my plan; I realized that I probably don't need quite so many shelves. Note 2 Self- Do not need largest piece. Also cut 9.5/2 to 9/2 and 11.5/2 to 9/2.



Process Journal Day 5 April 29 2012

Today I changed my wood in accordance to my plans with help from the band saw. I sanded my pen box and marked the wood for where I wanted to attach my extra shelves, even getting as far as drilling holes. It was all I wanted to complete that day, if not more, so I am quite happy. I learned how to use the sander and drill with little or no challenges, as well as making proper marks with little or no challenges, and was able to stick to my plan.



Process Journal Day 6 May 1 2012

I did get very much done today, I was a bit unrealistic and had expected to attach all my mini shelves. Instead only the pen box was attached, so I had to make some adjustments to my plan. A challenge I faced was getting the screw in properly, at one point I accidentally split the wood. I had to remove the nail, put glue in the crack and use a mini sea clamp. However in retrospect I learned a lot, so it could be worse.



Process Journal May 3rd 2012 Day 7

I finished my shelves for the other side, and was pretty happy with what I had accomplished. I didn't face any challenges, only problem-solving stuff like how to screw everything together. I learned a little, and my use of the tools has improved.



Process Journal May 7th Day 8

I did all that I had wanted; I finished screwing in the other shelves. Once again, I didn't have any challenges, only screwing problem-solving, and had a good time.



Process Journal May 9 2012 Day 9

With some help I was able to attach a big shelf, however I had wanted to accomplish more. Not only that, but as time passes, I find myself wishing I had chosen a slightly different design. I faced many challenges, such as properly attaching the shelf, getting the screws in and the best usage of clamps.

Process Journal May 13 2012 Day 10

Today I used glue and clamps to attach two other shelves. I was quite happy with what I achieved; next class I will put in screws and attach the other side. I used a lot of problem solving to figure out how exactly I would uses clamps, supports and the like, but it turned out pretty good in the end.



Process Journal May 15 2012 Day 11

Today was just a mess of problems. In the beginning of class, I made marks and drove in screws. Everything turned out perfectly there, but then I ran into a problem, the bottom shelf was too long, or so I thought. An inch was removed from the bottom, and it fits better, though still awkwardly. Maybe edge banding and sanding will solve that problem. However, I only just realized that I probably made a huge mistake. I think I attached what was meant to be the top shelf, to the bottom. Now, my pieces fit together awkwardly, and the piece I have left over is to small to make a top piece. Not only do my plans have to be changed, but I just wasted a whole lot of wood.



Process Journal My 17 2012 Day 12

Looking back, I am really happy with all that I accomplished. I put glue on the shelves and attached the side with the help of five huge clamps and put in screws to secure it. I did have to make a change to my plan; I no longer have a top shelf, (see day 11 journal for explanation) but I think everything will work out fine nonetheless. Challenges I encountered were using clamps properly and driving in screws, what with the table and clamps getting in my way. Something I learned was that by mixing sawdust with glue, you can fill in holes, a technique I found immensely useful.



Process Journal May 21 2012 Day 13

I finished my project today; I simply sanded the sharp edges and removed all pencil lines. I got better control over the sander and had few problems.



= Evaluate =

The overall strength of my project is quite good; I am able to sit on it without anything breaking, each shelf can support my books and other stuff. Not only that but the majority of the joints are well thought out and go together. That more or less answers any questions about strength and quality, though the neatness is mentioned later on. The entire thing is not exactly complete though, due to some problems where I mistook the bottom shelf for the top shelf and cut it down. The end result was that there was no top the thing, however I can deal with that. I even discovered that I made things more practical. Yet according to the plan, I have completed everything with accuracy apart from that missing top shelf. As for whether it fits the specifications and unit question, or if it functions properly, it does all of it quite well. As you can see in the pictures, it holds my stuff just the way I want it to. It fits neatly on my desk, is balanced and light. It took thirteen classes to build, and I didn't waste wood, besides for the shelf accident. It has organized the majority of my stuff, now I can find papers, books, glue, pens and all that just by looking at my box. So I might say that as far as functioning, it works beautifully. Next question; what is the environmental impact? Answer; I haven't the slightest clue, I do believe it is quite small though for I don't think the electronic saws gulp up power, and I used wood well during my impact, even making the mini shelves from scrap wood. The worst 'crime' I committed included the top shelf, a nice piece of wood that can be re-used. Last question; what is the neatness level of my project? Answer; I have to say, I failed quite miserably in that particular area. One or two joints are crooked. I used plywood without edge banding, nor paint. There are screw heads on the outside, as well as faded pencil marks and old screw holes stuffed with sawdust and glue. Now for the final reflection. As I look back at what I written, and examine my box, I realize that I am pretty happy with it, for my first big project. Aside from whether my project is neat and complete (two //very// big things unfortunately) I am rather satisfied. I can see my mistakes, and know not to repeat them, should I work with wood again. It fits my purpose, despite lacking a shelf. It is nice and strong, though not pretty. As it is, I would have of been scared if I turned out a perfect creation, first try. So overall evaluation is- :7

And this here marks the end of my design folder :P