HS+DT+S2-Manize

=Manize's Design Folder=

Unit Question: How can someone organize their cluttered photos in a way that is aesthetically pleasing?

Unit Question Interpreted: I could make something that is a combination of multiple frames, which helps organize most of the photos lying around. I can make the frames and the way they are arranged creative and interesting so it looks good when put on display.


 * Why I need to solve the problem:** My photos are scattered in different places.This makes it a big hassle for when I need to find a picture. Since it's not organized and I can't keep track of them, they can't even be displayed properly.


 * How I could solve the problem:** This is a problem because I don't know which ones, where or how to display them. There is also a big empty space on the wall above my bed, so something can be done to put up there. This can solve my problem because it would combine my pictures and if it's a big frame, it can be mounted on my wall and look really good.


 * Users or Client**: I am designing this product for myself. I will benefit from this product because it will help me display and organize my photos which are very unorganized right now. I want something that stands out and is creative.


 * Conditions**: My photos are all over the place. There is a lot of space on my wall, so I can make something that I can put up there. This affects my product because it helps me determine how big i want it to be. The number of photos I want to display will also affect its size.



- available- 1.38" thick
 * Materials that would be best to use:**
 * wood
 * acrylic (clear)
 * paint (spray?)


 * How others have solved the problem:**







http://www.digsdigs.com/15-cool-and-crazy-photo-frame-designs/

Others have solved this problem by combining different photo frames to make one big one. This saves space, looks more creative and would look nice when you try to display multiple photos at once. These examples of how people have solved the problem looks like it is made out of mainly wood, or even plastic.

**Design Brief:**
All my photos are unorganized. I would like to design something that will help me organize them and display them in a creative way. It will be a combination of multiple frames in an interesting shape when combined. This will be for my bedroom so I want it to be something that will fit and look really good on my wall. This photo frame will let me organize and compile my photos in a way that is aesthetically pleasing.

Design Specification:
for the photos to go behind it || to stick on a frame and make it look interesting. || make sure the things you are using help the product look interesting and in ways that you aren't wasting them ||
 * ====**Specification**==== || ====**Test**==== ||
 * The product should be able to display photos || make sure the photos are clearly visible through the glass/acrylic ||
 * Should be able to fit more than 5 photos || check that the whole thing fits multiple photos - definitely more than 5 ||
 * Size: It needs to fit a wall that is 64" by 30" || put it on the wall and make sure it's not bigger than what it's supposed to be ||
 * It needs to look creative || make sure it's doesn't look boring or plain ||
 * It should be 3D in some way and not just plain, boring and 2D || check if there are things overlapping or something so it does not look flat and 2D ||
 * It should incorporate wood and acrylic in its design || check that the product is making good use of wood (for frames) and acrylic
 * Should be environmentally friendly || check that you aren't wasting any materials during the process ||
 * Should not waste materials available- e.g: crushed coke cans can be used


 * Guiding Questions:**
 * Is it environmentally friendly?
 * Does it make good use of resources available (using things available instead of throwing it away)?
 * Are the materials I want to use available to me?
 * Does it look different from regular photo frames?
 * Will it be able to display multiple photos?
 * Is it unique in its design?
 * Will it look good when placed in its environment (will it look good on the wall you are putting it on)?
 * What tools will be used to create the product?

**Design**

 * ideas:**



Sketchup- Design 1:
This photo frame will look like a combination of multiple photo frames.

Sketchup- Design 3
I chose a design with circular frames because it looks different from the regular rectangle or square frames.

I chose to build on my second design. I liked that design the best because I think out of all of them, it will look best on my wall and it can hold a lot of photos at the same time.
 * Modified Designs:**

Design 2 Modified: Sketchup: For this modified design, I made minor adjustments- I made the border between the two rows of photos follow the same curve as the border. This looks better than a straight line through the middle because it makes the frames for each photo less lopsided.



Sketchup: I had to modify my design again because making a frame for each photo with the curves around it would be too difficult to make in this DT Lab. So I thought of completely removing the borders for each photo. I'm going to keep it one whole surface which I can take out of the back, arrange my photos however I want- like a collage- then put it back in the frame. Since the photos will be pressed up against the acrylic, they won't move. This modified design also allows me to display more or however many photos I want.


 * Measurements:**



Design

Front:

Back:

Sketchup:


 * The entire photo frame: 41" x 16"
 * Border: 1 1/4" thick
 * Glass thickness: 5 mm
 * Groove thickness: 1/2" + 5mm
 * + Backboard wood thickness: 1/2"
 * Total border thickness: 1/2"+ 1/2"+ 5mm (above front surface)= 1 1/4"
 * Distance of glass from edges- Min. = 1/4"
 * Width of each surface curve: 40/3= 13"

curves made on illustrator: 2 - 2" x 37" (curves)
 * Materials:**
 * Glass- 0.2" thick- total= 38" X 15"
 * Wood- [Available: 1 1/2"] I need 1 1/4" (for borders) [after being planed on both surfaces], 1/2" (for backboard)
 * 1) Borders- 40" X 5" (to cut out borders) - 1 1/4" thick
 * 2) Backboard- 38" X 15" - 1/2" thick
 * Bright pink paint (for border)
 * Nails
 * Wood glue
 * Borders- 4 [with 1 1/4" grooves]

2- 16" X 2"
 * 1) Backboard- 38" X 15", 1/2" thick
 * 1) Glass- 38" X 15", 5mm
 * How it will go together:**
 * Border: curve and side border stuck together
 * Grooves: 1 1/4" for backboard -below border
 * 1/2" above border
 * total= 1/2" + 5mm + 1/2"
 * Glass: 38"X 15" rectangle (underneath) - stuck onto grooves of border from below
 * Backboard: detachable- size of glass
 * Backboard will be held against the glass with a backboard lock- which will be attached to the back of the border


 * Tools:**
 * Hand router/trimmer- for grooves
 * Jig saw/Scroll saw- for border, backboard, acrylic
 * Right angle clamp

Week 1: make template on illustrator Week 2: make grooves on the 4 parts Week 3: cut out the 4 borders Week 4: make the joints on the end of each of the 4 parts. Week 5: get glass, cut the backboard. Start sticking borders together. Week 6: finish sticking border, paint the border. Stick glass on edges of the grooves on the border Week 7: Put locks on the edges of the borders. Check to see the backboard fits perfectly and is secure by the locks. Week 8: Put backboard/pictures in and be happy with your product. :)
 * Time:**

=Create=

Process Journal
April 26th, 2012 Today, I transferred my template onto my wood piece. We had to plain the wood piece first, so it was 1 1/4" thick. Then, I practiced with the jig-saw on scrap pieces of wood, and eventually cut out the wave on my big piece. Then, with Mr Hasan's help, the grooves were cut out and I am planning to cut out the bottom wave on the same piece to complete the top border for my photo frame.

April 30th, 2012 Today, I transferred another template to wood. Then I found another piece of wood for my side borders. I marked what i need to cut out and i also figured out how to cut the 2nd wave out of the top border(on the other side of the groove). I left it like that so i can cut it out next class.

May 2nd, 2012 Today, well first i finished cutting out the top wave. Then, i cut out the bottom wave, but when i cut the grooves- it cut all the way through so i had to start over. So, i planed another piece of wood and then transferred the template onto it. Mr Hasan cut out the grooves for me and I cut out the waves of the bottom by myself using the Band Saw. It was frustrating because i had to cut one piece all over again, but luckily i got it done by the time class ended. I finished cutting both top and bottom waves and i'm planning to cut out the side borders next time which will be way easier because it doesn't have any waves!

May 6th, 2012 Today, i finished cutting out the side borders. I planed it first, then cut out the groves. After that i spend most of my time assembling the pieces and it turns out i need to get the glass cut by an inch- which i will hopefully do by next class. This well let me cut small grooves on the borders for the frame so they fit together.

May 8th, 2012 Today, i finished cutting the parts in the side borders (groove) where the top and bottom waves fit and join together. I also cut out the top and bottom of the side borders to match the shape of the wave. Then, i had to do some trimming of the borders so it would fit together. Since it was a short day, i did not have time to glue it together so I'll do that next class and then clamp it together. May 10th, 2012 Today, i adjusted my top and bottom wave corners so it joined the side borders perfectly. It was almost perfect after i cut it but it turned out okay when i first clamped it with the bar clamps for a dry run. When i figured that it would fit, i glued the joints of the borders and clamped them together. I used 4 bar clamps and 2 G-clamps for the top wave corners cause it turned out kind of twisted. I just left it to dry after that, hopefully next class ill be able to make any adjustments- sanding, etc. and figure out exactly how much to get the glass cut to fit the frame.

May 14th, 2012 Today, I unclamped my frame. I decided that we would need to put screws on the corners because the butt joint isn't strong enough. I needed to drill with 2 different drill bits. I drilled 6 (2 on top and 1 on the bottom of each side). I only got the thinner drilling done for all of them. Then i tried doing the thicker one, but one of the holes made the wood crack so we had to glue it and clamp it back together- it looks fine now. After that, I drilled the thicker side and put the 2 screws in so that turned out fine too. Next class, I'll finish drilling and screwing and try to get some sanding done. I also have to fill the holes on top of the screws with putty so it doesn't show.



May 16th, 2012 Today, I finished putting all the screws in the holes i made last class. I had to use a bigger drill to finish the holes on one side then i screwed them in using an electronic screw driver. After that i filled in the top of the holes and any other gaps with a mixture of dust/sand from the sander and glue. I measured how much i need to cut the glass an d i also got a cut from it :D Then i began sanding the frame, but i couldnt do all of it since i had to let the putty dry in some parts.

May 20th, 2012 Today, I sanded my frame. That's all I did- sand. It became a lot smoother- next class I'll finish sanding and prepare it for painting.

May 22nd, 2012 Today, i finished sanding my entire frame. Then i mixed white paint, red paint and water and painted my frame. I had to use cones to hold the frame up and away from the table while i painted. I finished my 1st coat, so next time i'll continue painting the 2nd/3rd coat and maybe start on the backboard.

May 24th, 2012 Today, I finished the last two coats of paint for my frame. I also glossed it when it was dried. I got my car to go get the glass cut which ill bring by next class, along with the hook things for the backboard. I wanted to start my backboard today but there wasn't an 1/2" thick board, so Mr Hasan will get that by next class too. So, next class i'll stick my glass and make the backboard- cut it and start painting it.

May 28th, 2012 Today, I got my cut glass and fit it into the back of the frame. Then i got my backboard cut and mixed some green paint and painted it.

May 30th, 2012 Today, I finished the final coat on my backboard. Then, I put screws on two corners on the back of my frame and attached a wire for hanging it on my wall. I also have pictures ready to stick on but the paint didn't dry. SO, i just have to put pictures and nail the backboard on. = = = = =Product Evaluation= My product was a huge success! I'm really happy with it. At first, i thought it wouldn't be possible because of its shape and it would be extremely difficult to make, I was going to give up on the idea but I'm glad I didn't. I made it successfully even though I knew it was going to be hard, and I'm proud of myself for that. The product has really good quality because I spend a lot of time making it look perfect-it looks like something you would be able to buy in a shop- but better! I put screws in the corners and glued them really well so I'm 100% sure they are secure and strong- so it won't break apart when I hang it up on my wall. It does its job- holds my photos. I was really happy with it because it looks amazing and the pictures I put in are memories of my freshman year and since I'm leaving, it's just a great way to hold my memories from this awesome year. I also made sure I didn't waste any of my materials. The materials i used were perfect to help me build this product- even though it was challenging making the waves and I had a bunch of glitches and mistakes on the way. It looks unique and creative like i wanted it to and i specified in the design specification and it displays photos, which is its main job. Overall, I think my product was an incredible success and I'm really, really happy with it.