Project Overview Task: You are given the task of creating a step stool that has two purposes, one to step up and reach higher placed items within a household, and second the item needs to be functional enough for the purpose of being a stool to sit on; this dual purpose product has its own design challenges which you are given the task to solve.
Your Challenge: Design and build a dual-purpose step stool that works both as a step to help reach high places and as a seat for sitting comfortably.
Your Challenge: Design and build a dual-purpose step stool that works both as a step to help reach high places and as a seat for sitting comfortably.
Learning Goals
Follow the design process and stages of work previously incorporated through the water bottle assignment.
Create sketches, drawings and realistic 3D models
Use 3D software, such as Blender to protype your design
Reflect on your design decisions and problem-solving skills
The Design Problem
Design a compact, safe, and user-friendly step stool that:
Help users reach high shelves • Doubles as a sturdy seat
It is visually appealing and safe for indoor use
Follow the design process and stages of work previously incorporated through the water bottle assignment.
Create sketches, drawings and realistic 3D models
Use 3D software, such as Blender to protype your design
Reflect on your design decisions and problem-solving skills
The Design Problem
Design a compact, safe, and user-friendly step stool that:
Help users reach high shelves • Doubles as a sturdy seat
It is visually appealing and safe for indoor use
Project Stages & Requirements
1. Problem Identification & Analysis
o Define your user and their needs
o Set design goals and consider constraints (space, materials, weight, etc.)
2. Research & Idea Generation
o Look up examples of furniture
o Concept sketching incorporating the 4-2-1 process to create a proposed design
o further refinement stage to tweak your design further by incorporating additional details.
o Label your drawings by identifying key features, materials, and functions.
3. 3D Modeling & Technical Drawings
o Choose your best concept and create a 3D model
o Use CAD software like Blender
o Create Orthographic Views, wireframe views, and 3D renderings of your prototype.
o Include exploded view of all the parts on one slide
4. Construction & Testing (omit for this Term)
o Build your prototype using card stock and or cardboard, at a reduced scale.
o Follow safety protocols while building your card model.
5. Evaluation & Reflection
o Write a short report on:
o What worked well?
o What would you change?
o How did your design meet the original challenge?
Deliverables: What You Need to Submit
o Research & Analysis
o Brainstorming Sketches & Design Notes
o Orthographic Sketches/Drawings with rough dimensions
o 3D Prototype Models Wireframe and Rendered
o Finished Prototype Design Rendered with Lighting
o Reflection o PDF Package, documenting all the stages of our work, converted from Google Slides with proper naming conventions.
Assessment Criteria
Your work will be assessed based on:
o How well you identify and analyze the problem
o Quality of research and idea generation
o Functionality: How well were both tasks resolved?
o Overall 3D prototype of your model, in terms of scale, functionality, and modelling proficiency.
o Aesthetics: Visual appeal and design harmony.
o Layout and placement of information in your final package.
1. Problem Identification & Analysis
o Define your user and their needs
o Set design goals and consider constraints (space, materials, weight, etc.)
2. Research & Idea Generation
o Look up examples of furniture
o Concept sketching incorporating the 4-2-1 process to create a proposed design
o further refinement stage to tweak your design further by incorporating additional details.
o Label your drawings by identifying key features, materials, and functions.
3. 3D Modeling & Technical Drawings
o Choose your best concept and create a 3D model
o Use CAD software like Blender
o Create Orthographic Views, wireframe views, and 3D renderings of your prototype.
o Include exploded view of all the parts on one slide
4. Construction & Testing (omit for this Term)
o Build your prototype using card stock and or cardboard, at a reduced scale.
o Follow safety protocols while building your card model.
5. Evaluation & Reflection
o Write a short report on:
o What worked well?
o What would you change?
o How did your design meet the original challenge?
Deliverables: What You Need to Submit
o Research & Analysis
o Brainstorming Sketches & Design Notes
o Orthographic Sketches/Drawings with rough dimensions
o 3D Prototype Models Wireframe and Rendered
o Finished Prototype Design Rendered with Lighting
o Reflection o PDF Package, documenting all the stages of our work, converted from Google Slides with proper naming conventions.
Assessment Criteria
Your work will be assessed based on:
o How well you identify and analyze the problem
o Quality of research and idea generation
o Functionality: How well were both tasks resolved?
o Overall 3D prototype of your model, in terms of scale, functionality, and modelling proficiency.
o Aesthetics: Visual appeal and design harmony.
o Layout and placement of information in your final package.
Stages of the project posted below, working on the along with you. WIP
