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Thomas Rae Product Designer
Workshop Diary
Posted on May 29, 2013 by tomrae (h p://tomrae.les.wordpress.com/2013/05/img_0759.jpg)
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(h p://tomrae.les.wordpress.com/2013/05/img_0812.jpg) Posted in Honours Project, University Project's Tagged aberdeen, allotments, Chair's,
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construction, industry, infographic, kitchen, Process, project, sandpaper, selfdirected, university, Wood, wordpress, workshop Leave a comment
Posted in Honours Project, University Project's Tagged aberdeen, allotments, brief, ceremony, Design, draft, food, growing, hydroponics, illustrator, industry, money, Process, Product, project, screw's, self directed, selfdirected, student, university, Wood, wordpress, workshop Leave a comment
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Posted in Honours Project, University Project's Tagged aberdeen, allotments, art, Design, directed, food, growing, health, hydroponics, hyroponics, industry, Process, Product, project, self directed, selfdirected, space, student, university, vegetables, wordpress, youtube Leave a comment
Prototype Test
Posted on May 22, 2013 by tomrae
This prototype is one of 4 I made. Two of which were sent down to a couple of friends in London to test and 1 broke and I kept the nal one. This video highlights how growing with such a simplistic and easy to use design enhances the user experience and the improvements I would like to make.
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Posted in Honours Project, University Project's Tagged allotments, ceremony, Chair's, chevron, construction, directed, draft, growing, hydroponics, illustrator, industry, infographic, Process, Product, selfdirected, space, student, university, Wood Leave a comment
Ruaridh Webster and Donald Clark: Demographic Testing: Concept Opinions. How I got to my final
Posted on April 27, 2013 by tomrae I decided to display to you some feedback I got from my demographic volunteers concerning concept ideation and direction, Ruaridh Webster who studies in central London at Imperial College London is my rst example. As a student Ruaridh has nancial and time restraints and additionally due to the location within central London ( one of the most densely populated areas on earth) he has minimal space and nally he has an interest in growing but he doesnt feel that he has the knowledge to do so. Below is the feedback I received from him from concept development sheets I had sent through to him for feedback: RUARIDH WEBSTER PRODUCT OPINIONS The designer of a new hydroponics growing system has selected me as a potential target market to express my opinions on several dierent designs for the new system. The designer has informed me that the product is to be used to grow produce indoors, such as vegetables and herbs, and will require minimal space, time, money and knowledge input from the user. About me: I have a very tight budget as I am a student living in London I have very limited space with just a room of roughly 5m x 5m I am busy most days of the week (normal day out of my accommodation is 8am to 8pm) I appreciated products that are well designed but they have to be practical just as much as a ractive SYSTEM UNIT DESIGNS The proposed designs all follow a modular approach to the system. The modular design concept is very important to me as it allows for adaptability depending upon the space available in the room and also what I was growing at the time. For instance if I had six modules but I was only using one or two modules at a certain time, I could detach the unused modules to store therefore saving space. Also, the same is true if I wanted to grow more produce I could add more modules. If I was to move to a smaller accommodation then I could reduce the number of modules easily. As I am on a tight budget I like the fact that I can save up and buy more modules as my budget allows.
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Figure 1 illustrates an initial modular concept for the growing system where the modular units are stacked and a ached to a wall. I like the use of the modular unit however I have reservations about two parts of this concept; the rst is the a achment to the wall which I could not do in my living space as I have no wall wall-space and the second is the design is not very interesting for me.
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Figure 1: Modular design concept Progressing forward from the modular design in Figure 1, Figure 2 illustrates a schematic of a cylindrical design for the growing modules. This design would denitely not be useable for me due to the wasted space.
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(h p://tomrae.les.wordpress.com/2013/04/img085.jpg) Figure 2: Advancement of modular concept using cylindrical units Figure 3 illustrates a much be er solution for me with the modular units being modelled as triangular systems that can be discretised and then conjoined in several dierent arrangements. This idea is clearly a very ecient use of space and it could also provide a very a ractive product. I could lay several triangular units on the oor at the base of the wall in my room or I could possibly stack them depending upon the space arrangements.
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Figure 3: Triangulated modular units Advancing from the basic triangular design, Figure 4 demonstrates some additional features that could be incorporated within the triangular design such as stacking and swinging units. I like the idea of stacking to save space and the concept of the modules swinging out from the stack makes sense as it will allow ecient space usage when they are not being used. The design of this also appeals to me.
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Figure 4: Extension of triangular modularity concept CONCLUSIONS ON SYSTEM UNIT DESIGNS The modular design is perfect for me as it is very cost and space eective My favourite design is the triangular modular unit as it oers the best aesthetics of the proposed designs and also, and most fundamentally, a great ecient and versatility in space usage I like the idea of a stacking system although in my accommodation I have limited height to stack due to other furniture ADDITIONAL DESIGN IDEAS FOR ANCILLARIES The designer has provided me with outline designs for some of the additional parts of the growing system. Figures 5 and 6 demonstrate some possible approaches to the aeration system. Aerating the water is obviously essential for the growing of plantation but for me the key objectives of the design should be to keep the time input to a minimum and to keep out any unnecessary costs. I like the simplicity of the design demonstrated in Figure 5 which shows the basic matrix of pea gravel, meshing, water and aeration tubing. This indicates that the product will be easy to maintain, repair and upgrade.
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Figure 5: Aeration concept for modules Moving onto a more detailed look at the aeration system in Figure 6, for me the non-electric pump is an essential instead of electric. As well as being cheaper to run it will no doubt be easier to maintain as long as the design keeps the internals of the pump such as the one-way valve as simple as possible.
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Figure 6: Advancement of aeration concepts Figure 7 illustrates some lighting concepts by the designer for aiding the growth of the produce. Aesthetically the design is appealing and also ecient as it incorporates a reading light in the design.
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Figure 7: Lighting concepts CONCLUSIONS ON ADDITIONAL DESIGN IDEAS FOR ANCILLARIES I like the simplicity of the growing system for repairing and maintaining For me the aeration pump has to be non-electric to lower running costs and ease maintenance
Okay so the main feedback insights were that the triangular modular concept was the most versatile and suitable for the urban spaces. Additionally the manual feed aeration pump is be er than electrical due to its simplicity and non recurring cost to operate.
My second volunteer is Donald Clark a student at Brunel University London, he again has large work commitments as well as many hobbies most of which he has had to give up due to University work however I did manage to persuade him to take part. Below is the feedback I received from him from concept development sheets I had sent through to him for feedback: Donald Clark Feedback Tom has asked me to provide some feedback on his design for a modular hydroponics system. As I understand it the design has to fulll 4 main requirements based o of his research work. The design must require as li le time ,space and knowledge to operate and also cost as li le to purchase and maintain. About me: My main hobby is building furniture so I spend most of my additional money in the month on that and hence would have only a small amount to set aside for maintaining a system. I am very much into function over form and require that at the core of a product must be good functionality. I have very busy days I like to be in uni most of the day and any time left I work on my own hobbies. I have a very small room at home with minimal space.
SYSTEM UNIT DESIGNS Figure 1 This design is really nice the idea of integrating the system into a side table like this is inspired, the potential and cool directions you could go in are interesting I would go further with this and explore.
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(h p://tomrae.les.wordpress.com/2013/04/img082.jpg) Figure 1: Modular design concept This is not a good design Tom it is, there is far too much wasted space here. It just would work.
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(h p://tomrae.les.wordpress.com/2013/04/img085.jpg) Figure 2: Advancement of modular concept using cylindrical units Figure 3 If versatility is key then this design has some real potential, I like the capacity of the shape and its simple and easy to understand shape. It would be very functional and could t lots of dierent spaces. I would if I was you stay away from over styled designs that sacrace function for looks. This shouldnt be key styling is a process to enhance the products functionality not hinder it. Develop this further
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(h p://tomrae.les.wordpress.com/2013/04/img0861.jpg) Figure 3: Triangulated modular units Is this design has no light which I would prefer regarding cost of electricty then it must be near a window but I could see this design blocking the minimal natural light I already have in my at.
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When looking at aeration electrical is not the way forward. I would see this as cumbersome and
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When looking at aeration electrical is not the way forward. I would see this as cumbersome and would require tolerance if it was a noisy pump for example. I am stressed enough without ge ing annoyed at a bloody grower for making too much noise. Electrical would also cost me more money and I dont like that. Finally if you want a versatile product which can be moved as desired then having it plug in would suck.
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(h p://tomrae.les.wordpress.com/2013/04/img0871.jpg) Figure 5: Aeration concept for modules The pump at the bo om is cool if you are looking for a good valve try to get a duckbill valve that should work ne. You also need to put a hole in it so it can re inate.
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I think the designs are good and you have some major jumping o points. The pump is key make sure to stay away from electrical as I feel you would be making it over complicated and you wouldnt really be fullling your project aims. The pump is good I would start to look into how that would actually work. Think about money as I dont see consideration in the sheets you sent me except for the electrical pump. I would think about keeping the design simple so as not to waste space being sculptural but also to keep manufacturing costs low. Also if looking at modularity then keeping costs low will encourage peopl to buy more modules and expand. I hope this helps, keep in touch and I will see you back home.
Posted in Honours Project, University Project's Tagged aberdeen, air, airation, Chair's, chevron, construction, demographic, Design, directed, feedback, food, Furniture, growing, hydroponics, illustrator, industry, infographic, interview, Process, Product, project, sandpaper, selfdirected, student, university, vegetables, workshop, youtube Leave a comment
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(h p://tomrae.les.wordpress.com/2013/04/hydro-nal.jpg) Posted in Honours Project, University Project's Tagged allotments, brief, bus, chevron, Design, directed, draft, food, growing, illustrator, industry, infographic, Perspex, Product, project, self directed, selfdirected, university, vegetables, Wood, wordpress Leave a comment
(h p://tomrae.les.wordpress.com/2013/04/versatility-of-a-equalateral-triangle.jpg) Posted in Honours Project, University Project's Tagged aberdeen, allotments, bus, city, construction, Design, directed, nal, food, Furniture, growing, hydroponics, illustrator, industry, interview, modular, money, Perspex, potential, Process, Product, project, sandpaper, selfdirected, shapes, versatility, Wood Leave a comment
Hydroponics Poster
Posted on April 26, 2013 by tomrae
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(h p://tomrae.les.wordpress.com/2013/04/catalogue-image-1.jpg) Posted in Honours Project, University Project's Tagged aberdeen, allotments, ceremony, Design, directed, growing, hydroponics, illustrator, image, infographic, money, poster, Process, selfdirected, university, Wood, youtube Leave a comment
10/29/13
design?
Posted on April 26, 2013 by tomrae I have used my problems and insights to form many designs, 130 pages of concepts to be exact but am I now at the point when I should be nalizing my designs. I have decided to come up with a nal design and then test and work it through and improve it until it is completely right. In previous projects I came up with a many nals and I chose one which was most successful. The design I have chosen is this;
(h p://tomrae.les.wordpress.com/2013/04/img096.jpg) The design utilizes a manually operated 1 way valve to pump oxygen directly into the vessel to supply the roots with oxygen. The base is the most successful modular shape I have designed due to its simplicity and versatility and ease of understanding. This concept is easy to understand and it is simple to operate, I also aim to incorporate a support structured service (phone base) it will be an automated text instruction service which will provide simple instructions to the user. The tray holds a growing medium which supports the plant, I would like to design this medium myself but I have yet to formulate designs and nalize them.
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(h p://tomrae.les.wordpress.com/2013/04/img097.jpg) The above sheet displays some more sketches of my nal as well as some indication as to manufacturing techniques. The main body will be ceramic slip moulded, the tray holder will be resin silcom casted and laser cut and glued, the valve housing will be silcon moulded resin and the rubberized push bu on and valve will be externally sourced. Here are some renders of my nal model;
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(h p://tomrae.les.wordpress.com/2013/04/untitled-39.jpg)I will also be contextualizing the concepts in more example se ings. Posted in Honours Project, University Project's Tagged aberdeen, allotments, CAD, Chair's, construction, Design, directed, draft, food, growing, hammer, hydroponics, industry, infographic, kitchen, models, money, Perspex, peter, Process, project, renders, Rhino, Rhino 3D, sandpaper, self directed, selfdirected, student, university, wordpress, workshop, youtube Leave a comment
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Posted in Honours Project, University Project's Tagged aberdeen, allotments, construction, Design, directed, draft, growing, hammer, hydroponics, illustrator, industry, Process, Product, project, sandpaper, self directed, selfdirected, student, university, vegetables, wordpress, workshop, youtube Leave a comment
Posted in Honours Project, University Project's Tagged aberdeen, allotments, ceremony, construction, Design, draft, growing, hydroponics, infographic, interview, kitchen, Perspex, Product, self directed, selfdirected, student, university, varieties, vegetables, Wood, wordpress, youtube Leave a comment
10/29/13
The concepts below were designed to solve the problems of lack of living space and an outlined solution to the demographics problem of wanting the spend as li le time outside as possible. I concept below uses hydroponics as its growing method which allows the grower to be brought inside additionally to solve the problem of lack of space I wanted to integrate the grower into an everyday object which exists in most home such as below a side table with a lamp. The lights acts as a growing light as well as a room light/reading light which brings a multi-functional element. However this design does use electricity which is a problem especially when the demographic want to keep maintenance costs down, the only forseeable way to solve this problem is to integrate the grower into an everyday object which sits near an exterior light source.
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The design below is wall mounted and modular which allows the user to expand the design were needed depending on space and requirement. The a achment is simplistic but the design needs to integrate a way of providing oxygen to the root system which is a major requirement otherwise the roots will die without oxygen.
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(h p://tomrae.les.wordpress.com/2013/04/img0841.jpg) I wanted to use modular design to solve the problem of lack of space. This design below is a basic modular design however the design does create waste space in between the growing trays which is a problem when space is an issue, I wanted to eliminate this wasted space.
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(h p://tomrae.les.wordpress.com/2013/04/img085.jpg) I explored using vertical modularity as a method of saving ground space like in the concept below, this could be used to create more depth to the design.
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As the roots require oxygen I explored methods of deliver this. I explored some electrical designs to deliver the oxygen outlined below however I wanted to eliminate the need for electricity there for I designed a more simplistic and easier to understand concept below.
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This equilateral triangle based concept is extremely simple but versatile. I explored some more extravagant modularity design however they ended up being more sculptural than functional which wasnt good therefore through analysis of many of my concepts I decided that this was the more simple, functional and versatile modular design I had created.
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(h p://tomrae.les.wordpress.com/2013/04/img0861.jpg)These sketches below show the layout and required elements of a hydroponics growing system. There has to be a growing medium which replaces the soil which has to support the plant as it grow this is usually a gravel like pea gravel which is light and supports but doesnt damage the plant. There also has to be a mesh tray at the bo om which hold the plant above the solution but allows the roots to drop through to gain access to the nutrient solution below. (h p://tomrae.les.wordpress.com/2013/04/img0871.jpg)
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(h p://tomrae.les.wordpress.com/2013/04/img0871.jpg)All of these concepts have provided some of my main insights during my development process, these insights have been utitlised to further develop and nalize my design. Posted in Honours Project, University Project's Tagged aberdeen, allotments, brief, construction, Design, draft, food, growing, hammer, illustrator, interview, student, university, vegetables, wordpress, workshop, youtube Leave a comment
Here we have a visual which represents the importance of the demographic and what elements when combined create specications for the design of a product.
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And below this layout displays the major elements from above in more detail and how I can possible solve them.
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This design entitled Green Hydroponics Wheel Concept by Liberto Rutlio is only on the concept stage but is an application of a new style of growing. The potential for hydroponics growing has been adopted by NASA and is now being developed for deep space or orbital space missions. This designs aim was to apply this very eective technology to the home environment hence making it more accessible for the average person. The designer markets this design as a Eco friendly design which will allow people to grow at home inside and hence will reduce the need to travel to the shops to get produce. They list reduction in fuel use and reduction in plastic bags used as the main reasons for its Eco friendly image. I disagree that it would reduce fuel consumption as most people would be at the shops anyway but for plastic bags use I would agree that it could reduce usage. Although as the concept is quite power hungry due to the rotation motor, LED light and water pump which would derive its power directly from the plug I feel that the depth of its Eco friendly capacity is rather shallow. Below you can see how it works;
The accessibility of the product is something that I will aim to accomplish with my design. The idea of having your own garden in the living room is a very innovative idea and the use of hydroponics and the control this design grants you is very innovative. This design is also very very visually appealing and wouldnt look out of place on the star ship enterprise but it is also very large once again and I feel that there are other ways to reduce the space required by a home hydroponics system.
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Posted in Honours Project, University Project's Tagged aberdeen, accessible, Design, directed, draft, food, Furniture, growing, hydroponics, indoor, industry, LED, motor, Process, Product, resevoir, rotation, selfdirected, student, university Leave a comment
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This modular hydroponics system called Hydro G designed by Suany Aguilar takes its design inspiration from the DNA structure. First of all the design is very appealing visually and the vertical modularity of the grower is very interesting also. This design takes into consideration space constraints within the urban environment and the designer has understood the value of vertical growing as a form of space saving. However I do not feel that the designer has suciently explored the possibilities of the shape and the potential increased output, I have modied the design to explain what I mean;
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(h p://tomrae.les.wordpress.com/2013/03/modify-tommy.jpg) With a bit of modication 3 DNA strands could be intertwined together and not take up any more oor space but would triple the output and if you were to once again increase the height by a modules height and repeated the same process of intertwining you could get 6 module for the space of 2 in the same space used by the original design. Overall this design is very nice but I will be exploring other possibilities for saving space. Posted in Honours Project, University Project's Tagged aberdeen, allotments, art, construction, Design, food, Furniture, illustrator, industry, kitchen, Process, Product, project, self directed, selfdirected, student, university, wordpress, workshop, youtube Leave a comment Blog at WordPress.com. | The Cont Theme.
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