Portfolio Product design / 2015 Devanshi Mehra Unitedworld Institute of Design
Devanshi Mehra Product Design Student Hello! I am a 21 year old product design student with a passion for design, technology and enthusiasm to learn new things. I approach design problems or opportunities with a healthy blend of research, imagination and curiosity. The broad horizon offered in product design, excites me and wish to diversify my skills in the same.
Education
Experience
Skills
2012 - Present
June 2015 - August 2015
Digital
Bachelor in Product Design Unitedworld Institute of Design
Wildcraft India Design Intern
1999 - 2012
January 2015
High School Delhi Public School, Bopal
Makerfest 2015, Ahmedabad Communication Design, Volunteer
Adobe Photoshop Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Premier Pro Rhino Solidworks Keyshot
January 2014
Hand
MIT Media labs - Design Innovation workshop Participant, Magical Interfaces
Marker Rendering Sketching Model Making
CONTENTS Seedsweeper
Simple Product Design
Display and control
User Interface
29
Cruzar
Value Engineering
04
glassworks
Glass workshop
11
Housing for construction labor
19
Systems Design
37
Power drill
Techno aesthetic Detailing
46
MIT Media lab workshop
Design Innovation workshop, 2014
52
seedsweeper Simple Product Design / 4 weeks Brief To design a simple device for deseeding a custard apple, without mashing the pulp. The device should be designed for domestic use, without using complex mechanisms or machines.
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For eating directly with a spoon, soft custard apple is opened into halves and scooped out with spoon.
Commonly followed processes As part of my initial research, I studied the various processes and recipes where custard apple is consumed. For recipes like kheer, the pulp is mixed with milk and the seeds are sieved out.
Seeds are removed by hand for using the pulp in recipes like milkshakes and ice-cream at various food joints and in industries. 05
Mechanisms/ concepts explored
RUBBING BETWEEN TWO Discs
Conceptualizing and testing different mechanisms was the next step.
Pulp is placed between two discs of MDF and rubber. Screws in the discs increase the area of contact and friction with pulp.
Suction Trying the technique of suction through a sieve, using a vacuum cleaner.
Rollers The pulp was rubbed between three rollers.
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Concept that worked! Manual egg beater The seeds are quickly separated from the pulp, without mashing it too much. The mechanism worked to a good extent and was taken further for the final concept.
Different patterns and forms of sieves were tried. Hemispherical sieve worked best with the egg beater. 07
Final concept Taking the egg beater mechanism further, I made my final prototype with the best suited sieve. The pulp and seeds were separated without much effort. Around 70 per cent of the pulp is not mashed.
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Cap (Textured ABS)
Threading (To fasten spring and cap)
Beater (Chrome finished steel)
Sieve (ABS)
Textured cap (For better grip, while in use)
Container (Translucent ABS) Press fit (For locking the container)
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Movements while using Rotate The beater mechanism then pushes the pulp down through the sieve. Push down Scooped out pulp is placed on the sieve.
Final product Easy to use Compact Sophisticated
Fresh pulp is collected in the container and seeds are sieved out
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glassworks Glass workshop / 1 week Brief As part of a college assignment, craftsmen were called from Firozabad, UP, which has the largest glass industry in India. The module aimed at learning about the virtues and possibilities of the craft and understanding its limitations. These products were designed by me and realized by the skilled artisans from Firozabad.
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FORM INSPIRATION Physalis alkekengi Also known as the Chinese lantern, this popular ornamental plant was my inspiration for all these products.
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PHYSALIS RADIANCE Lamp This lamp is an iconic representation of my form inspiration, made using the technique of blowing and molding of glass.
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The surface texture creates beautiful dramatic shadows when the lamp is lit.
14
LIMPID PIECES Hanging installation An abstract representation of the form inspiration, derived by dividing it into parts which led to some very interesting forms, using the technique of glass blowing.
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The installation was formed by arranging the pieces on a wire frame. A fascinating play of light and shadows can be seen when surrounding is shed on these clear, hollow pieces.
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TRANQUIL GLEAM Table Lighting Another abstract representation of Physalis alkekengi. The three legs were blown and joint to the thick plate-like molded glass.
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Filling the three legs with grass and water and fixing light in the wooden base, completes the product and creates a placid scene.
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Housing for construction labor Work in progress / Systems Design / 8 weeks Brief The objective of this self initiated project was to develop a more user centric housing for construction labor, keeping in mind the ethnography, psychology and demography of Ahmedabad. The aim to is to develop a design that can be adopted by the stakeholders in near future. The investment for these labor colonies are made by construction companies. The labor keeps moving from site to site in the city and lack attachment with these temporary houses. Their aim is to earn and send money to their homes in villages, which they visit twice or thrice a year.
Team project - 2 members
Scope of the Project This is a two month project and we are half way through. Time is a major constraint here, and as product designers, we aim at coming up with a proposal, offering the most optimum use of materials. We are working on developing modular structures, with flexible joineries that are durable, cost efficient and save time during assembling and dismantling.
We would like to mention that during the project, we were inspired by the works of Paul Polak, David Berman and Rob Bye.
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Research and analysis
To understand the system and gain knowledge about the interest of construction companies in better designed homes for their labor, we met the director of HN Safal Pvt. Ltd., a big construction house in Ahmedabad. They were more than willing to provide us with the necessary support. Hence, considering their basic criteria for these houses and taking into account the data provided by them, we chose one of their labor colonies as our base site. *We have not asked for any sponsorships so far.
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ENVIRONMENT The colonies are usually located on the roadside. There is no proper system for waste disposal, leading to a large amount of garbage near their houses. Roadside location
Roadside location
Temporary bathroom
LIFESTYLE The houses lack natural light and ventilation. The labor work from 9am to 6 pm, on the site, while their children are looked after in a school cum daycare center run by Maya Foundation. Warped and broken GI sheets due to improper use
Storing inside houses
STRUCTURE The structures use supports of wooden logs (Nilgiri), mild steel pipes and rods and split bamboo, which are then tied using jute rope, metal wires or elastic. The material is used randomly in a crude manner. School cum daycare for children
Common bathing and washing area
21
System analysis This is the current system followed by construction companies. Material procured by construction company
Material transported to location of the labor colony
Houses rebuilt at new location.
Houses built by workers 60 percent material is damaged and sold as scrap after the first site
Material transported to new location
The houses are dismantled (After an average of 2 years) 22
Focus points Aiming to focus on providing these basic features in the houses. We hope to achieve a decent level of improvement in these aspects, from what exists.
Weather resistant structures
Appropriate space for cooking in all weathers
Reusable for a minimum of 4 years. (Shifting once after 2 years)
Appropriate ventilation
Low maintenance
Modular structures for varying family sizes.
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Model 1 In this first model, we worked out the structure using parts available in the market. The epoxy painted sheets, heat less compared to the non-painted ones, thus, reducing the amount the heat trapped inside the house.
L sections (Mild Steel)
Epoxy painted GI sheets
Pipes (Mild Steel) Tarpaulin cloth Nut & bolt C - clamps (mild Steel)
Wing nut Nut & bolt
Allen key Cotton rope
Fasteners J - clamps
Tap screws
As part of market research, we studied and shortlisted a few fasteners, relevant to our requirement. So far, we have chosen a wing nut for fastening GI sheets with the supports. 24
A plinth of PCC (Plain Cement Concrete) 1ft high is suggested, in order to prevent water logging, insects etc. Most of the parts are mild steel, that increases the cost of material as well as the overhead charges such as transportation. Also, rusting of metal, especially support pipes, leads to reduced lifespan and adds crudeness to the structure. 25
Model 2 Taking bamboo as our supports, we proceeded with this model and explored different types of knots. The knotting looks crude and may not always be reliable, considering the labor skills. Also, it consumes a lot of time.
WHY bamboo? Low cost, no termite issues, structural strength both in vertical and horizontal direction, strong, water resistant and easy availability are some of the advantages of using bamboo for our structure. Using bamboo involves a certain complexity due to variations in its sizes and also its internal structure.
26
Joinery explorations Scaled low fidelity explorations for trying out different materials and mechanisms.
NEED FOR A JOINERY Tyeing does not satisfy the criteria of modularity, reusability, easy assembly that is mentioned in our brief. All the other existing joineries for bamboo involve cutting, drilling and other operations which increases time and effort of the labor. No other holes can be done on the sheets for maintaining its structural strength.
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This kind of locking is used at the end of gas lines in houses which gives us the flexibility to lock varying diameters of bamboo with one another.
28
Display and control Interaction Design / 4 weeks Brief To redesign the display and control of the current LG 30 L Microwave Oven - MC8084AB, in order to make it more user-centric through ease of understanding and proper execution of commands for domestic users.
Team project - 2 members
29
Quick time input with numbers
Tedious time, weight and temperature settings
Market research Different panels in the market were analysed in terms of their user centricity.
Symbols can be misinterpreted
Ambiguous hierarchy of keys
Illegible text
Clear communication with text Dual display creates ambiguity
Quick, easy settings with knob
30
Current panel Analysis of the chosen panel
Hierarchy is not well thought
Recipe buttons are not used very often
Mode in progress
Next step guides
Inconspicuous symbol for render
Symbols Inconspicuous Appear in different places on the panel, owing to the seven segment screen constraint 31
Making a cake Studying the process in existing panel.
Press mode
Rotate to select convection at 180•C
Press “Enter” to confirm selection
After pre-heating, the microwave beeps thrice.
Press “Start”!
Rotate the knob to set time for baking.
Open the door, place the batter inside.
Press “Start” to begin preheating at 180•C 32
Concept generation A number of low fidelity models were made for carrying out the cycle of user testing, feedback and refinement.
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Model making For final presentation and feedback, this final model with the whole microwave oven was made.
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Final concept Clear, noticeable symbols for indicating the mode in progress. Definite instructions for next steps with text and symbols. Colour differentiation: Everything in red indicates the ongoing process. The selected mode is also clearly indicated in this back lit panel. Direct access to modes, reduces number of steps.
Four buttons added for direct access to frequently used functions
35
New process for making cake
• • •
Back lit panel, indicating the mode in progress. Reduced number of steps. Combination of text and symbols for clear instructions. 36
cruzar Value Engineering / 3 weeks Brief To select a piece of furniture from a showroom, constrained by its scope of value engineering framework, evaluate it in order to determine the criticality based upon the type, quality and quantity of material used, skill of labor etc. Redesign it in order to increase the ratio of Value/ Cost, keeping in mind the design language, target audience, market positioning.
Team project - 2 members
37
Chosen table This coffee table was chosen from a showroom named WOODEN. The joineries of the chosen table are messy and complicated, trapping a lot of dust. Too many pieces of wood are used to create literal crosses on three sides, making the design dull. The beauty of Ghana teak, its grains, are suppressed by the dark polish. 38
Bill of Material Item
measurement
quantity
unit price
final cost
24” X 36” (8mm)
1
120/- (per sq. ft.)
720/-
Glass Polish
1200/-
Labor
500/-
Studs
1” diameter
4
10/-
40/-
Buffers
1” Diameter
4
2/-
8/-
Overheads Ghana teak
Total
100/16 logs
1500/(Per cubic ft.)
630/-
3198/-
Selling Price: Rs. 9500/-
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CONSTRAINTS Production facility constraints such as raw material, workshop setup and labor skills were taken into account while developing new design concepts.
40
Ideation Taking the element of CROSS to define the design language, we started developing our concepts and made low fidelity models to understand and test structural strength.
41
Making The half-lap joints were used for fixing the cross elements and the legs. To enhance and flaunt the beautiful grains of Ghana teak, the legs were only coated with lacquer and the crossed legs were given a grungy texture, highlight the element of cross, when viewed from different angles.
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The final piece We froze our concept and got it made by a carpenter, keeping in mind the value engineering constraints of cost, workshop set-up, labor skills and raw materials available. The production cost of the new table is Rs.3500, which is not much higher than the cost of our chosen table, while the aesthetic value increased exponentially, without compromising its functionality and durability.
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Power drill Techno aesthetic detailing / 2 weeks Brief To develop design capabilities to integrate the skills into aesthetic and stylistic form development with technological awareness, skills and collaboration.
46
Air vents
Chuck (with key) Lock key Housing (Armature assembly, field assembly, bearings) Trigger (Pressure sensitive)
Product study Manufacturing: China
Capacity: 10 mm
Price: Rs.650/-
Chuck Size: 3/8 inch
Power: 400 W
Weight: 1224 g
Rpm: 2600 r/m
Weight of the key: 20 g
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Ideation
48
New form Keeping in mind the existing technology and parts used.
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Final model MDF
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Key-less chuck
Cylindrical profile handle Offers better grip
Ergonomic T - handle A T - handle (a handle near the middle of the drill body), is ergonomically better as it distributes the weight of the drill, enabling better balance and less wrist strain.
Trigger Pressure sensitive, long trigger to accommodate two fingers while operating, reduces discomfort and risk of injury.
Textured Rubber grip Provides a better grip as it reduces the effort, prevents slipping and absorbs vibrations.
Final render Adobe Photoshop
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MIT media lab workshop Design Innovation workshop, Mumbai, 2014 / 1 week Brief To develop design capabilities to integrate the skills into aesthetic and stylistic form development with technological awareness, skills and collaboration.
Team project - 4 members
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MAGICAL INTERFACES The workshop aimed at bringing together engineers, designers, programmers and hackers. My group consisted of two engineering students, an architecture student and me, a product design student.
TINKERING AND BRAINSTORMING Tinkering with ferro fluids and lasers to experience fascinating interfaces. These five amazing days of learning with a diverse and talented crowd. 53
THE EXHIBIT Our final idea was to create an interface where you could use a laser to operate your PC. Also, the laser was programmed to make digital 3D graffiti that could be saved and printed. At the exhibit, the audience could play Breaking Bricks with a laser point or create their piece of digital graffiti.
Poster for the exhibit.
I was mainly involved in brainstorming ideas, documenting the project and designing posters for the exhibit. Programming was done by Chinmaya, on MATLAB. 54
Thank You !
Contact: E: devanshimehra28@gmail.com T: +91 - 9909002775 W: www.behance.net/devanshi_mehra 56