Amber Bellerjeau
The two projects I’ve selected to showcase here are meant to show my thought process, application of research and decision making. If you’d like to see more, feel free to explore the rest of my website.
Please note that this page is only accessible via the link provided in my application or cover letter.
Project Redbug:
Inspired by the procrastination of others.
Midterms, one quarter prior to project:
After impulse buying a set of Hexbug Spiders and bringing them into the computer lab, my classmates became transfixed with the toys.
Because of their apparent appeal, I decided to explore how to remake them for a new market.
Testing and Research:
The first step was to disassemble the toy and measure the contents.
Next, I began researching problem points and testing ways to address them. Some were easy.
Others, came down to the quality of the product’s parts.
Palaeoboy was right, and having to buy twice the number of toys I needed just to test them was the biggest setback in this project.
Information Gathered From:
Play Testing
Amazon Reviews
YouTube Unboxing Videos
Interviews with Users
Blogs
Reddit Browsing
Dissection
Product Testing
User Feedback
Ideation:
Drawing over 100 sketches, I explored different forms and themes. I thought about possible narrative tropes and sci-fi elements, but ultimately, taking my research into account, I wanted something that felt high quality.
Narrative Exploration
Since I was exploring an older audience, I also explored the function of the toy including developing a game, creating light and acting as a companion to help with stress.
Digital Development:
With five weeks to go, I built out the Solidworks model, using the measurements I’d taken from the dissections.
Keyshot renders exploring CMF and potential marketing images.
Because of the fidelity needed for such tiny moving parts, printing proved to be a difficult step in this process. Although limited by my budget and time frame, I was able to establish scale, some articulation and proof of concept.
After learning to use precision tools, like the metal lathe and standing mill, I’ve determined that aluminum would be a better material for these internal joints.
Love Bug Speaker
Learning through application
If I come across a new idea or concept, I find using it in a design helps me better understand it’s pros and cons. The Love Bug, was born from the desire to retain design concepts through application.
Early CMF test
I took that ball concept and began thinking about ways to add complexity and elegance to the form. At the time, I had been looking at a lot of 60s moped culture.
I also began thinking about materials I could use as an alternative to plastic, landing on the acoustically excellent material, cork.
Later, I began to refine the form further, thinking of different ways to showcase wiring rather than hide it. I also took market trends into account, using WGSN trend reports I’d collected in school.
I’m no accessory designer, but I tried to think of ways it could be displayed as a fashion object.
Building the model in Rhino, I thought about expanding it’s usability. It was important to blur the line between a portable speaker and a home speaker. The cradle like shape of the base acted as a perfect charging dock, leading me, once again to a ball design.
From the beginning, I knew my concept would have to be a combination of cork and plastic. When I began thinking of portability, I had to focus even more on protecting the brittle interior.
While I did not set out to design a smart home device, I did try to think of the final product in those terms. I wanted it to feel like a companion.
Next, I plan on developing more details in the speaker including assembly considerations and built in security/privacy mechanisms for any smart home functionality.