Fling Machine Reflection

1. 6.75 ft, 9 ft, 7 ft, 8.5 ft, 9.5 ft, 6.8 ft, 7.2 ft, 7.6 ft, 6.9 ft, 12.5 ft. Yes, the data is normally distributed around 8 feet. Mean: 8.175, Median: 8.15, sample standard deviation: 1.80912041243  60% of the cotton balls fall between the 6.00 ft - 8.00 ft range. 40% fall between 8.00 ft - 12.5 ft
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Yes, because in one attempt you can't get an accurate results because you need a wider range of trials to compare with more accuracy. 
3. There could be more trials so that the performance of the device could be more realistic because when only giving the device one chance, there could be some malfunction that doesn't happen normally.  
4. I would definitely add more elasticity to the rubber band, because the rubber band we were using 
5. I would remove the corks at the bottom because they had no purpose other than to provide a more comfortable grip. 
6. Me and Sachi worked very well together, we both had our own ideas but we were able to eliminate the ideas that seemed more risky or that might have had many aspects that could malfunction. 

Reflection about Unit Conversion "Fun" Movie

     To make unit conversion "fun" our group made a video about a "Measurement man" who taught scientists designers architects and engineers how to measure with the same unit so that they would agree with each other and be able to display their work in units that they could all comprehend.

      We were definitely reminded of measurements while facing the challenge of trying to make it fun. Finally, we came to the conclusion that we could make a short film in which a superhero would save the day by using measurements and the correct units. 

LINK TO MEASUREMENT MAN THE "MM"OVIE

Color Theory

Birds Color Wheel

Monochromatic Colors- are all the colors (tints, tones, and shades) of a single hue.Monochromatic color schemes are derived from a base color and extended by using its shades, tones and tints. Tints of a color are created by adding white for lighter shades and darker tones are made by adding black/grey.

Monochromatic colors can be used when artists are painting a detailed painting. 

Analogous color scheme- a color scheme that uses colors that are placed next to each other of the color wheel.

They can be used by artists and maybe fashion designers because Analogous colors usually match well and create serene and comfortable designs. Analogous color schemes are also usually found in nature and work very well when they are placed together, creating a pleasing image.

Complementary Colors- Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. These colors are highly contrasting but the contrast actually makes it match very well. The Christmas colors, red and green, are complementary colors.

Complementary colors can be used by fashion designers (outfit colors), interior designers (choosing curtains/carpets/blankets/couch colors), and by artists who are trying to make their work look vibrant. 

Color Triads- uses colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel. Triadic color schemes are very vibrant. The colors have to be balanced well; let one color be the main color and use the two others to accent it.

Color triads can be useful to fashion designers, interior designers, painters, and can also be used to create harmonious color patterns that match well.

Split Complementary-The split-complementary color scheme is a variation of the complementary color scheme. In addition to the base color, it uses the two colors adjacent to its complement.

This color scheme is similar to the complementary color scheme in its strong appearance but it isn't doesn't have as much tension. 

The split-complimentary color scheme is a good color scheme for beginners to use because it is hard to mess up. This color scheme can be used by pretty much any designer that is looking for a way to make their product pleasing to the eye.  

Multi-View Sketching

Conclusion Questions:

1. Construction lines help the designer get the exact proportions of each side of an object. Object lines are very helpful because they show the shape of the object.

2. The purpose of hidden lines is to show certain aspects of an object that can't be seen at certain viewpoints. Some details of objects are hidden when an object is looked at at a certain angle, and hidden lines are important to designers because they show where these locations are.

3. The pictorial shown in the first representation in number 2 is isometric, because it is at an angle allowing the designer to see multiple sides of the object.

4. The pictorial view in number 6 also looks like it is isometric because multiple sides are shown to the designer.

5. Multi-view drawings would be more helpful to mechanics and contractors because they show the exact proportions and all the sides (left right top bottom) of the object to be built. 

Final Draft of Concept Sketch

My concept sketch of the Dogtemp+ app to help save the lives of dogs
 who suffer from heat-stroke locked in the cars of their owners.
LINK TO MY PRESENTATION

The Dogtemp+ app is made to prevent the many deaths of dogs caused worldwide due to dogs being locked in the heating cars of their owners. 2,000 deaths are reported each year of dogs due to heatstroke in hot cars, but most go unreported. (Not many people want to admit they killed their own dog by leaving it in a 160 degree car with no air) We can stop this from happening by creating an app that warns owners when their dog has been left in the car for too long. Through a digital (low-cost) thermometer and a free i-Phone app, the lives of many dogs can be saved. This way owners can feel safe leaving their dogs in their cars.

Dogs In Hot Cars

App and separate device 

          Sometimes it is impossible to take leave your dog at home. However, many owners fall into the habit of leaving their companions in their vehicles while running a quick errand. "It'll only be for a few minutes" or "I'll leave the windows open" the owners will say as they run to the entrance of the grocery store.

          Little do they know that even on a cool day of 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the inside of their car gets to 100 degrees Fahrenheit in only 5 minutes. What about a hot day? When the outside temperature is 100 degrees Fahrenheit in only 10 minutes their car will be 140 degrees Fahrenheit inside. Also as the heat rises in the car, dogs began to suffer heat exhaustion and suddenly begin to panic. This only exacerbates their situation.

View from inside of the car

          Meanwhile 10 minutes later when the owner returns from their quick grocery outing, their dog will have suffered tremendous heatstroke causing brain damage, severe pain or even death. However, (if alive) the poor creature will never be able to communicate the horrible anguish they have suffered through to their owners.

          This fate has been suffered by many dogs all over the world. The best answer may be to leave your fury friend in the safe airy house or backyard. However, many times this isn't an option. Owners should be free to take their dogs to the park and then go run an errand on the way back home without having to worry.

          To stop this from occurring a simple warning system can be created to tell owners when the car is getting too hot for their dog. It could be bought on an app, for individuals with smartphones, or purchased as a separate device that could be hooked on to your car-keys.

Solvable Worldwide Problems

Some problems that many people face around the world include:

1) Running Water Many people have to go many miles away from their homes to obtain clean water.

2) Transportation In many countries transportation is difficult for many people

3) Education/ Light All over the world people's education suffer from the absence of enough light to study or work in the evening and at night. In India for example people have to cower around the street lights to learn from their textbooks when it is dark. Candle light isn't efficient and still makes it hard to see. Also for some people education in general is hard for them to complete.

4) Dogs Left in Cars Everywhere around the world animals are left in cars. When sunlight streams in to the cars windows (open or closed) a lot of the heat is retained making the inside of the car so hot that it can pose a threat to an animals life. This has happened countless times all over the world.

What Emotions Do Lines Communicate?

In nature, seashells contain tons of lines.

Lines communicate emotion through the different shapes sizes shades and hues they come in. Soft, curved lines used in the drawing of a face may suggest a friendly face that communicates nice or positive emotions. In contrast, straight thick lines, may suggest a more negative or serious emotion.

The top left is a structural drawing, underneath it is an outline drawing,
underneath that is a contour drawing and the top right is a gestural drawing

Self as Designer

In this drawing I am in the corner. Each of the letters in my name
 portray a different aspect about design that I believe are important for me
as a designer to keep in mind.

The first letter "M" contains symbols of nature. I think nature is a very important aspect of design, because whatever we design helps us with how we cope with the world around us.

Second, the "E" has a pen that is drawing. I have always found it easy to use a pen and paper to express my ideas and I believe this is important for me as a designer as well. The first steps in designing something can take place with a pen and paper. Brainstorming, sketching, drawing blueprints, and note-taking all are necessary steps in designing that require a pen and paper.

The third letter, another "E", is built half-way with bricks. As a designer, I think it is important for me to know about all of the simple things that are used to build in the world that are very useful, like bricks.

Fourth, the letter "R" represents reading. For me, reading is essential for anything, including design. Books, websites, and magazines contain loads of information that can prove very useful to a designer.

Fifth, the "A" represents community and society in general. Most things that are designed are built for the benefit of the people. Keeping in mind the consumers of the potential "product" you are designing, I think, is very important for a designer. Many things are designed to essentially make life "easier", and to determine how to do this reflecting on the problems of everyday appliances can help designers reach this goal.

All of these aspects outline my goals for this class:
1) incorporate nature in my designs or things that can help the earth.
2) become better at drawing/sketching the concepts I want to design.
3)  eventually have ideas on how to improve the way people design things and the basic building blocks of design
4) gain knowledge of designing (how it works, what I need to learn)
5) help society and gather ideas on how to improve community/society

Product Improvement: Water bottle

For my groups Product Improvement we decided to improve the average Styrofoam cup. We knew that there were aspects of the cup that could be changed to enhance the product. 

Water Bottle Designs in Engineering Notebook 

First, we brainstormed different things that we didn't like about the cup that could be changed to create a more useful product.

• not sturdy 
• not reusable
• not easy to hold
• only one (small) size
• no straw
• no lid or coaster
• no insulation for hot drinks

Second in our improvement process, we talked about things we could add to fix some, if not all, of these problems we brainstormed about.

• metal and plastic material for sturdiness
• dishwasher safe/washable material
• nice grip for easy holding
• plastic rivets that can squeeze and lock together (comparable to i-home speaker)
• reusable straw that doesn't melt in hot liquids
• a lid that turns into a coaster (close-able hole for drinking with straw or mouth)
• insulating material between metal and plastic double layers to keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot

Third, we documented our work by drawing detailed and labeled images of our new designs ( as shown in the engineering notebook above)

Brainstorming, Testing & Teamwork: Grand Canyon Bridge Challenge

• Brainstorming is really helpful when solving a problem because you are able to list out all of your ideas without doubting yourself. When you allow all of your ideas to flow it is easier to pick one idea that is best to solve the problem you are focusing on.

• A successful team comprises of individuals who are willing to work together, be open with ideas, and accept errors and mistakes. A good team also requires people who can blend ideas and incorporate everyone's thoughts.

• We could have done a few things differently. First of all we could have had more tests before we started building our final model because one of our problems was too late to fix. Our problem was that our slits were too big where we weaved in the paper and also our paper wasn't curved enough on the one of the papers. Other than this, however, everything worked well. (:

• Testing is also very important for solving a problem. When we tested our ideas we were able to improve on our work while looking at what problems really effected our design. We had to find effective ways of fixing the problems, and testing our ideas really helped us see what worked and what didn't.