4. Project Statement
The focus of this project is to create a family of tools inspired by the Lego brand.
Opportunities within this prompt center around the field of home goods. The
project will begin with in depth research of the brand itself. The information
gathered will be used to establish a set of design criteria that the product family
will follow. Once this is established, ideation and sketching will take place. Ideas
will be selected and converted into three dimensional models for further design
exploration. The products that best suit the criteria of the brand and the project
itself will be further developed into working prototypes.
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5. Project Brief
Create a family of tools inspired by a specific company.
Examine the significance of forms & visual vocabulary
Research the company holistically
Translate the research into 2 & 3 dimensional sketches based on the visual attributes
& qualities related to the company
Record all efforts so that the process can be clearly identified & developed into a
methodology for creating more complicated forms.
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8. What is a Tool?
An object that serves a function in the
user’s life. It helps solve a task, while
enticing the user to want to explore further
possibilities & fully engage at the task at
hand.
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9. Lego Introduction
Mission: Inspire & develop the builders of tomorrow.
Vision: Inventing the future of play.
Philosophy: You cannot play without learning and you
cannot learn without playing.
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10. What is Play?
Play combines the imagination, creativity, and
learning. It involves taking on a challenge, enjoying
the process as you work towards a goal, and
surprising yourself with what you are able to
accomplish.
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11. Lego Values
Value
Definition
Imagination
the foundation for creativity
Learning
“hands on minds on”
Creativity
new surprising & valuable
Caring
not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking ourselves as
less
Fun
our abilities are balanced with the challenge at hand
Quality
continuous improvement
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12. Lego Integrity
Lego Promises
Play
Joy of building &
the pride of creation
Partner
Mutual value
creation
Planet
Positive Impact
People
Succeed together
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13. Lego Harmony
Strong culture & values
Family owned since its foundation
Collaboration occurs between all branches of the
company
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19. Synthesis
The design criteria imply that the product to be created
must embody the following qualities: fun, liberating,
humble, high quality, modular, and systematic. Further,
the design will be focused upon modular furniture.
Furniture, in its essence, is a tool people use to
customize spaces in order to make them habitable or to
evoke a certain feeling.
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24. Evaluation #1
Think beyond the literal definition of a tool.
Define “tool” in terms of the Lego brand.
Consider multiple areas of opportunity, including home
goods.
Adhere strictly to the design criteria established for the
brand.
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30. Evaluation #2
Reconsider the meanings of “play” & “fun”.
Incorporate these aspects as crucial elements in the
design of the product family.
Complicated & intimidating designs do not fit the design
criteria.
Balance universally understandable guidelines with
opportunities for the imagination.
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42. Initial Thoughts
Serial Planes:
Joined Faces:
Requires less time
Requires fewer tools
Simple assembly process
Durable
No down time
Less sanding
Less gluing
Lighter in weight
Fewer material constraints
Heavy
Requires a lot of sanding
Involves strict material constraints
May take more time
Requires multiple tools
May involve precision/craftsmanship
obstacles
May not be as durable
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43. Obstacles
The laser cutter does not cut material with black resin.
MDF is the only material option that is suited for the needs of this design.
MDF is the most difficult material to cut on the laser cutter.
The laser cutter will not accept material thicker than 1/2 in.
Each 48‘x48’ panel takes 4 hours to cut.
The finals week laser cutter wait list is very long.
Stack laminated MDF takes a lot of time to sand.
MDF soaks paint up like a sponge.
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44. Solutions
Latex paint will cover MDF easily and dry quickly.
Bondo will help hide any aberrations in the forms.
Some elements can be made via joined faces, while
other are created using the laser cutter.
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52. Image Sources
Lego designed by Okan Benn from The Noun Project
Magnifying Glass designed by Hafizh from The Noun Project
Research designed by Doug Cavendish from The Noun Project
Drawing designed by rich@randam.org from The Noun Project
Tools designed by Cris Dobbins from The Noun Project
Scale from The Noun Project
Gears designed by Cris Dobbins from The Noun Project
Cycle designed by Mourad Mokrane from The Noun Project
Arrow designed by Naomi Atkinson from The Noun Project
Glasses designed by John Caserta from The Noun Project
Productivity designed by Lemon Liu from The Noun Project
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