Making Things Class Designs Objects

This week the Making Things Class worked on the designs for our objects! We just recently changed our concept and have been moving very quickly since then. We decided to create a door stop that doesn't have to be put on the floor. We came up with two different designs and are actively trying to flesh them both out. We made rough CAD sketches of each design using AutoDesk Inventor and printed an initial prototype of each in the MakerLab. We now are evaluating and testing these two prototypes. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks we are able to create improved versions of our prototypes and get them ready for market! The initial design for our door stop as well as the other designs by our classmates are shown below:

Written by Kendall Cox

Making Things Class Finalizes Concepts

During last week's class, we analyzed our product's concept (customizable clip-on dip bowl) test data to ascertain consumer interest in our product, willingness to pay, and potential questions and concerns. In general, consumer feedback for our concept (as well as the concepts our of classmates in general) seemed quite positive. We utilized this feedback to refine our concept by adding a few more features to our products. It is really exciting to watch our ideas transform into a physical, usable product right before our eyes. We are all looking forward to this week when we will have initial 3D models of our product ideas created via 3D design software such as Autodesk Fusion 360. Stay tuned!

Making Things Class Tests Product Concepts

This week's class began with a Skype call with Kristen Turner, Marketing Director of Sculpteo. Kristen told us about different 3D printing business models. For example, some makers use Sculpteo as an online retailer for their products. She also showed an example of an app that allows users to create pottery and then print it though Sculpteo. This lecture was very cool and reinforced the idea that makers of 3D printed objects can easily sell them online. After the lecture, we broke into teams and worked on the questions that we wanted to ask potential users of our products. Most of the teams have their final ideas and are going to be taking the data they collected to refine their concepts based on the feedback received. We are looking forward to next week! Find out more about what we have been up to these last few weeks.

This post contributed by Team 7 or rather Team Enable in the Making Things class (Daniel, Brady, Kevin)

Making Things Class learns about 3D Scanning

Team Four had a great day in the Making Things class. We started out hearing from Travis Ross, Manager of the Beckman Visualization Lab. Travis talked about 3D scanning and the resources VisLab can offer to our class. He illustrated some of the capabilities of 3D imaging software Geomagic by scanning and editing the head of one of our classmates. We learned that, in addition to capturing the image of an object, 3D scanning can be used to create objects that fit the unique contours of an object. For example, a company that makes snowboard boot liners could use 3D scanning to create custom fitted linings for each of its customers' individual feet. After Travis' presentation, we broke off into teams to refine each of our new product ideas. For example, our team is working on a concept called, EyeTravel, which is a small travel case for contacts and contact solution. Overall, it was a very productive day. We hope to test our concept among contact lens users next week.

Written by Jake Dluhy

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Mitch Altman & Chris Hall visit Making Things Class

Our third class session began with a fascinating and inspiring speech delivered by a special guest, Mitch Altman. Mitch, an Illinois alum, is the co-founder of Noisebridge (one of the first Hackerpaces in the US) and the CEO of Cornfield Electronics. He runs workshops around the world that promote “hacking” and teach soldering. Mitch demonstrated a few of his inventions, or “hacks,” including the TV-B-Gone remote control, Brain Machine, and Neuro Dreamer sleep mask. Mitch encouraged us to pursue our passions and to create things that reflect this passion.

After Mitch’s talk, Chris Hall from Autodesk showcased Autodesk's new Fusion 360 3D modeling software. Chris’s presentation was an exciting glimpse into the amazing capabilities of 3D design. Following Chris' presentation, our class moved deeper into the brainstorming process by honing in on three ideas per group for further investigation. As we move further into the ideation process, some exciting potential projects began to emerge, which were then shared with the class before the end of our session. Keep a look out for more exciting updates in the weeks to come!

Making Things Students Begin Ideation

The second week of Making Things began with a warm welcome from Professor Deana McDonagh from our School of Art + Design. She spoke to the class about authentic human behavior and finding opportunity through observation. She noted that innovative potential exists in home-made solutions and that disruptive technology is the key to life-changing events. Each team received a copy of Jane Fulton Suri's book, Thoughtless Acts?: Observations on Intuitive Design as a source of inspiration. Ms. Suri is a top executive at the world-renown design firm, Ideo.

The last half of the class was devoted to brainstorming and product ideation. Students identified opportunities for prospective things to make. During this process, the seven groups examined things currently available on Thingiverse, Ponoko, Shapeways, and Kickstarter as a means of inspiration. Each team was tasked with deriving nine different opportunities for potential things to make. We closed our class by sharing our ideas with each other and obtaining feedback from our colleagues. We will continue this ideation process next week, as we seek to narrow our ideas down from nine to three.

Drafted by the Shakin Bacon team (Benjamin Moy, Colin Korst & Rebecca Gluadell)