Exercise: The box
Here is a brainstorming exercise I once did where the goals was thinking about materials first, in the design process.
If you been given a box as material and ask you to use it to design a product,
brainstorm what would that be？
The list above:
pot for plants, shelf, lamp shade, storage box, gift box, pet cage with holes, mouse trap, charging station, casket to bury a pet, baby robot costume, sound amplifier, old time camera, doll house, sound proofing installation, side table...
The list goes on, by using your imagination
What questions will you ask your manufacturer?
Question list:
Are you editable?
Is there an extra cost to change your color?
Can we change your design?
How are you assembled?
Are you assembled in different stages?
What is the suggest price of the box?
Do you need to have a lid?
How are you transported?
Do you go through testing?
How do you travel to your destination?
What do people do with you after opening you?
What's your returning policy?
Why are you better than other boxes?
Why are you in this color?
How long do you take to degrade?
This exercise helps to think the different perspective of design. The great strength of the product and the weakness.
It doesn't need to be a box, you can try rethink as many things as you want.
