7.1: Naming my prototype

I came up with the following list of possible names and marked the ones I liked best with an asterisk:

chok
chalkr *
jchalk
slidr
choku
tinychalk *
chalkie *
chalki 
chalky
chalkybox
chalkbox *

Then I made a matrix to evaluate these names based on associations, spelling, and tone.

	Associations	Spelling	Tone	Sum
Chalkr	-1	-1	0	-2
Tinychalk	0	1	0	1
Chalkie	1	0	1	2
Chalkbox	1	1	0	2

Chalkie is already a registered brand name, so I decided to go with Chalkbox. I like this name because it's simple and conventional, and it relays the small size and compactness of the product.

7.2: Beta Prototype

Here's the finished beta prototype!

I've also included a comparison of the Alpha and Beta prototypes and some pictures of the process of making the Beta prototype. I made a few changes, the biggest one being that I made the entire holder out of the same block of wood. Instead of making a separate cap and drilling holes, I drilled the whole length of chalk out of one piece of wood and then cut off 3/8" to glue to the cap. In addition, this prototype is smaller, has a shinier finish, and includes one rounded corner (to make it easy to line up the lid).

3 parts

Glued and sanded

Assembled

Alpha/beta

7.3: Final gap update

My selected gap was the need for a small, simple container to transport a few pieces of chalk without creating chalk dust or breaking. The key user needs were:

The holder is small.
The holder keeps the chalk from rattling.
The holder looks elegant.
The holder is sturdy.
The holder is easy to use.

I believe I achieved those needs with my artifact. The next steps for development would be to figure out how to mass produce the item, to use finer wood, and to improve the production process. 

Thanks for looking at my project! :)

My Gap - Week 6 Update

My Gap is a wooden chalk holder that holds two pieces of standard chalk. I have made the following refinements to Prototype A from Week 4:

i) I decided that it is more important for the chalk holder to be small and elegant than to have a leather strip buttoning mechanism. Leather or any material sufficiently sturdy is also bulky and takes away from the simple rectangular shape of the double holder.

ii) I needed some type of material to line the inside of the holes such that the chalk slides out easily. To improvise, I've taken strips of sticker lining and glued it inside the holes. The glossy side faces inwards to allow the chalk to slide out, and a small portion sticks out of the top to allow the lid to attach snugly. 

iii) I have applied stain and wood finish to the holder to protect it from wear and make it prettier ^^

This addresses my key user needs:
The holder is small.
The holder keeps the chalk from rattling.
The holder looks elegant.
The holder is sturdy.
The holder is easy to use.

It also addresses the following latent needs:
The holder prevents chalk dust.
The holder is waterproof (outside has waterproof wood finish).

6.1: Alpha Prototype

My Alpha prototype will be based on Prototype A from Week 4. 

The following is an annotated breakdown of the design:

Here are some pictures of the Alpha prototype!

As listed in my gap updates, the holder is small, has a slick inner lining that allows chalk to slide easily, and is snug enough that the chalk doesn't rattle and the lid doesn't fall off.

Based on preliminary observation, I think the following refinements could be made:

- cut body and cap together for consistent grain

- stiffer, more durable/reliable paper lining

- even smaller size

- slightly larger holes 

5.1: Concept Testing

I will be narrowing down my concepts to A and C.

I sent this picture out to 10 potential consumers. Out of those, 8 responded, and the most popular choice was Concept C. I personally would also like to further explore Concept A.

4.1: Concept Selection

The four concepts I will prototype are designs A (Double holder with strap), H (Single holder with strap), and I (Single holder with slot).