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).

4.2: Prototyping

Prototype A: Double holder with strap

Prototype H: Single holder with strap

Prototype I: Single holder with slot

3.1: Exploration - Decomposition

3.1: Exploration - 10 Concepts

3.2: Visual Expression III: 2 Point Perspective

2.1: Design Problem Definition

In what way might I...

  decrease time wasted in classrooms?
  make teaching preparation easier?
  make chalk readily available?
* transport chalk cleanly and without hassle?
  develop a light and clean chalk holder?

2.2: User Needs

My goal is to design a container that transports chalk cleanly and without hassle.

User needs:

The holder transports the chalk effectively.
The holder can be attached to bags/backpacks/etc. (!)
The container is light.

The holder is small.
The holder can fit in areas that could carry a pencil.
The holder carries at most 3 pieces of chalk.
The holder fits in a pen pouch.

The holder protects the chalk.
The holder does not rattle.
The holder fits snugly to the chalk.
The holder prevents the chalk from breaking or shattering.
The container holds the chalk securely.
The holder keeps the chalk from being exposed.

The holder looks trendy.
The holder is not embarrassing to use.
The holder has a hinge.
The holder is slender.
The holder is smooth.

The holder keeps surroundings clean.
The holder keeps the user's backpack from becoming dirty.
The holder prevents chalk dust from getting on the user's hands.
The holder prevents the user from breathing in chalk dust. (!)

The container is sturdy.
The holder is not easily breakable.
The holder is waterproof. (!)
The holder is secure.

The holder is easy to use.
The parts of the holder move smoothly.
The holder can be cleaned. 

The holder is not expensive.

2.3: Visual Expression II

1.1: Good Design

Hi all! I'm a huge fan of aesthetic woodwork, and Dudek Modern Goods is at the forefront of beautiful, elegant, and yet simple wood design. The following is one in a series of their pen and notebook stands, named "The Display." It is simultaneously a high-quality, non-dispensable pen holder and also a beautiful display case for the writing utensil enthusiast's collection. 

The Display, featured on the Dudek Modern Goods website.

The simplest design for a pen holder might be any sort of cylindrical container that can keep pens upright, such as a plastic cup. However, that design can become cluttered and ugly. This design keeps pens cleanly organized, and its orthogonal shape makes it a great desk piece since it could be used as a bookend or placed to fit nicely against a wall. There's also a slot to keep notebooks handy. In my opinion, the cutout is what makes this work so fantastic - it is as much a pen display case as a holder. 

1.2: Find the Gap

My list of gaps:

1) Desk bed shelf for iPad/laptop
2) Easy hinge implementation to adjust doors so they won't close, squeak, etc.
3) ⋆ Single/two-piece chalk holder
4) Space efficient but easy to use bike racks
5) Inexpensive mod for automatic garage doors
6) Space efficient dish/sponge rack
7) More efficient dry erase marker - liquid plus roller to last longer
8) Toaster oven that minimizes burns
9) Coffee machine guard that prevents grinds from getting inside the machine
10) Width-adjustable paper clips

1.3: The Basics

1.4: Design for you

Here is a visual representation of my design.

Here are some Solidworks renders of my design.

1.2: Selected Gap

I've selected a chalk holder as my gap. There are few products currently in existence for the transportation of a few pieces of chalk. This is a particularly cumbersome problem at my college, where TAs often want to carry chalk for teaching. An entire box of sticks of chalk bump into each other in backpacks and create a lot of chalk dust. I want to design a aesthetically pleasing transporter for separate pieces of chalk without creating chalk dust.