Robert Chapman
id portfolio | 2018
About me... I have recently graduated from Loughborough University with First Class Honours in Industrial Design and Technology (BA) and exhibited at New Designers. If I'm not at my desk, you'll find me up a mountain or deep in a forest, camera in hand.
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Contents:
01 Bramble p3: An award-winning cluster computer concept that utilises repurposed smartphone parts, designed for a DCA Live Project.
02 Note p13: My final year major project, a digital camera for the visually impaired. 'Note' was exhibited at New Designers and commended by Belmond.
03 Luna p31: A conceptual navigation app for the smart city of the future, designed to make travelling on foot at night safer.
04 Bee p41: A drone designed to be more socially acceptable. Using the internet of things and an open network, Bee gives control back to the observed.
05 Small Projects p49: These smaller projects were selected to show a greater breadth of accumulated skills throughout university.
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01 Upcycled Cluster-Computer System Bramble was developed during a ten day live project set by DCA. The brief was to design a product that would not contribute to the global landfill crisis. Bramble uses upcycled smartphone electronics to create a modular and efficient cluster-computer for home use. Bramble won first prize.
Live P
bramble
roject
bramble | live project
An upcyled computer A modular cluster-computer utilising upcycled smartphone electronics "There are now more smartphones in the world than people. 7.7-billion smartphones have been manufactured since 2007. In 2018, the global problem of e-waste continues to grow."
Bramble uses re-purposed Android smartphones with the fragile casing, display, and battery stripped away; keeping the efficient CPU and memory to create a modular cluster-computer with a variety of uses. The design takes inspiration from the early days of home computing; a time when computers arrived as a clean slate, and were limited only by the creativity and skill of the user. Running Linux OS, Bramble can be used as a server, render station, or even a cloud based super-computer.
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bramble | live project
Scenario of use One user setting up their home server
Step 1 - Assembly The base module’s legs are attached, and cartidges containing repurposed smartphone components are inserted into the stackable processing nodes. Each node contains a flexible mount system designed to hold smartphone mainboards of all shapes.
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Step 2 - Learning The user learns how to program for parallel processing in a cluster-system. The base module can be used in education or at home as a low power Linux based PC. It has limited processsing power and it’s main purpose is to provide power and cooling to a larger cluster.
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bramble | live project
Step 3 - Expand the System The user has set up a functional server system to host their startup website, but as traffic increases, more power is needed. More processing nodes are stacked onto the base to keep up with the increased usage.
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Step 4 - Maintenance One of the node's flash-memory needs upgrading. The node is released with a click and replaced without having to remove any other stacked modules due to the drawer configuration.
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bramble | live project
Details A modular construction streamlines maintenance and upgradability
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↑ The LEDs show the status of individual nodes. Pressing the front of a node mechanically ejects the mainboard and CPU housing.
� The main module powers the nodes and contains the main CPU. The lower air intake is pillowed to prevent stacking of main modules. 12
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Main P
note A digital camera for the visually impaired. The Note digital camera was my main project during final year. It is designed to allow users to creatively engage in photography and challenge preconceptions, regardless of their sight, using tactile controls and adaptable UI. Runner up for the New Designers Belmond Award.
Project
note | main project
Challenging misconceptions
161 million people are visually impaired worldwide. Only 4% of these have no useful vision.
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Of the 96% who do have useful vision, many wrongly assume that they are unable to communicate visually or that they have no desire to do so. Of the very few who have managed to access photography, they have found the experience provided them with a very positive therapeutic experience, but required great input from others.
Note is designed to challenge the misconceptions associated with visual impairments and allow everyone to capture their perspective of the world with creativity and control, regardless of their sight or knowledge of photography.
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note | main project
The project’s inspiration A pair of empowered photographers with fresh perspectives
The inspiration for the project came from studying the works of visually impaired fine-art photographers, such as Craig Royal and Pete Eckert, and their journey with photography. They both experienced periods of great challenge and elation.
↑ Craig Royal uses photography to communicate the surreal effects he sees due to his visual impairment (copyright: Craig Royal).
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These photographers found the entry into photography extremely challenging. Current cameras are highly complex and a challenge to master, even with perfect vision. They spoke of the struggles associated with their visual impairments: a lack of independence, strained relationships, and a sense of frustration as others failed to understand their perspective.
With the support of others, Craig and Pete found their way into photography, giving them a way to capture and communicate their perspective of the world with control. Photograpy ultimately helped them to come to terms with their vision, empowering them and allowing them to challenge the preconcieved notions associated with being visually impaired.
↑ Pete Eckert shooting for Volkswagen (copyright: Pete Eckert).
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note | main project
Primary research Testing cameras with visually impaired users. To effectively understand the problems experienced by the visually impaired, user testing was conducted with current cameras and participants with varying levels of vision and photographic knowledge. This process revealed key insights and built empathy between the design process and user.
↑ Visually impaired participant struggles with reading settings on a conventional DSLR.
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“Overloaded controls marked by very small symbols.” “Many settings rely on touch screen interactions.” “Small single screen makes composition hard to judge.” “Participants often resort to trial and error.”
Current cameras often have many tactile controls, however the only way to read the settings is using the small display or viewfinder, which was almost invisible to the users. The variable function of the main rotary control compounded this problem, as user's rarely knew which setting they were changing.
The aim was to allow the visually impaired to creatively engage with photography, without relying on trial-and-error or 'auto' settings.
Users often resorted to trial and error, taking multiple photos with different settings and hoping the result matched their intention. They reviewed their photos on a large monitor at home, only to be disappointed and the opportunity missed. This cycle would repeat and discourage them from photography. Designing a tactile, beginner friendly camera that allowed the UI to be customised, and provided a better 'on-location' photo review experience became the focus of the project.
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note | main project
Roughing out the concept Cardboard lash-ups and early-AM sketches → Cardboard mock-ups and taped up goggles were used to quickly test ideas without relying on perfect vision.
↓ After the concept became clearer, a 3D printed body and lens were produced with card interaction points attached for testing.
The ideation phase used an iterative loop of fast, rough sketches and mock-ups, testing, and sketch renderings to quickly develop or discount concepts.
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note | main project
Development renders � The first sketch render of the 'Note' camera concept, inspired by a leather-bound journal. This evokes feelings of familiarity, recording of memory, and creativity.
Renders and card mock-ups with the 3D printed model were used to further develop the design, allowing aesthetic refinement without diminishing usability.
→ An inital render of the top profile, showing the soft elastic strap. This gave the concept some direction but the controls needed thorough development to create a usable device.
→ A development render showing early development of the control design and engraved details on the lens.
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� Overall form, CMF and controls finalised with some details with only small details to change. During development a font was designed especially for the engraved details.
↓ Render of final design showing development of controls and detailing. The elastic strap was refined and split into two bands, echoing the dual screens.
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note | main project
Finishing the model
↑ Engraved details were enamel painted by hand.
The model was created using CNC milled aluminium, laser etched leather, and 3D printed parts. Much of the detailing was done by hand, such as the enamel painting of the engraved details, and the leather finishing. Careful attention was also paid to the part-lines and tactile moving elements, creating a realistic representation of the final product.
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UI prototyping with Axure
↑ Note camera prototype running Axure UI mock-up from laptop.
To test on-screen interactions, a prototype was constructed from 3D printed parts and working displays, with details added for realistic control feel. The two displays were connected to a laptop running an Axure mock-up. As the user adjusted the camera's controls, the investigator adjusted sliders on the Axure built control panel, which altered the image on the displays. This gave the impression the user's inputs were altering and capturing images in real time.
� Internal 3D printed mechanism to give realistic tactile feedback as controls are adjusted. 26
note | main project
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note | main project
The final design
The appearance of Note was inspired by the leather-bound journal; a comforting, familiar object associated with memory and creativity. The camera’s body consists of two aluminium casing halves, seamlessly bound in leather and secured with textured chord.
→ The electronic viewfinder works in a similar way to Google Cardboard, with a lens folding over the screen to create an immersive display that can be customised to suit the user's vision.
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The faces are smooth, interrupted only by the key interaction points. The leather’s edges are exposed at the top and bottom, reaffirming the natural, journal-inspired theme and distancing the product from contemporary electronics.
→ The controls are placed and shaped to allow all settings to be felt by touch, so the camera may be operated by musclememory alone if desired.
↘ Dual screens allowing the effect of settings on photos to be directly observed, reducing the need for trial and error. The displays' output can be customised to suit various visual impairments.
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03 Night-time navigation and safety app for smart cities. Luna is a navigation app designed to make walking alone through cities at night as safe as possible. Using the concept of a ‘smart city’, Luna gathers local data and uses it to plot the safest route home based on the user’s ideals and contains emergency functionality.
App Co
luna
oncept
luna | app concept
A part of the city An app for the smart city of the near future The brief was to develop an app for use in the 'Smart Cities' of the near future. Smart Cities aim to integrate data from hard infrastructure (transport, energy, foot traffic etc) with data from individuals and communities. Luna is a navigation app that aims to tackle the fear experienced by those travelling on foot, by night, in unfamiliar areas.
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The app uses Smart City data to create routes that avoid poorly lit, isolated areas, and aims to keep users better connected in case of emergency.
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luna | app concept
Refining the journey Interviews, personas, and user journeys created an emotional understanding Users explained the feelings of vulnerability and isolation associated with walking at night through unfamiliar areas. Their current navigation apps would often lead them down dark paths, away from the safety of a busy, well-lit street. The lack of situational awareness created by watching map directions was also stressful. Luna lets users select contacts to automatically share their location with and send status updates.
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There is also a function to have their directions read to them as if they were taking a phone call. The user can keep their eyes on their surroundings or use the feature to disengage themselves from a difficult social situation without confrontation. Should a situation escalate, there is a quick access feature to call emergency services and share their location.
Wireframes and Prototypes User journeys were mapped out and used to test wireframed concepts and Pop prototypes in a variety of situations, before moving to more refined Axure prototypes.
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luna | app concept
Immersive exploration Luna's details create a light-hearted sense of adventure The primary goal the of the app is to remove the feelings of stress and vulnerability experienced while walking alone at night. The theme was takes light-hearted inspiration from space exploration, emboldening users with a sense of adventure and wonder. The first step in doing this was building the app around the animated, illuminated map, which gives the impression of being viewed from space.
These screens are taken from the animated Axure prototype.
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The second key factor is feeling as though help is always within reach. The user should experience the feelings of exploration and wonder but unlike in space, they must be able to quickly reach for help. Luna allows the user to connect to loved ones, share their location, call for help, or simply create a distraction.
Sliders are adjusted to suit user's perception of safety and alter Luna's chosen routes.
1. 'Mission Control' shows no contacts have been chosen for location sharing.
2. Contacts list with astronaut avatars displays contacts for user to connect with.
3. Destination searched and Luna plans route using city data and user preferences.
4. User begins journey following the light map and instructions.
5. The pull-down menu contains Luna's emergency functionality.
6. 'Mission report' displays feedback and informs connected contacts of safe arrival. 38
luna | app concept
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04 A friendly face for flying cameras. Bee was developed for an ‘Internet of Things’ brief in second year. I chose to focus on drones. My aim was to create a less invasive product that would better integrate into society. This was achieved using a community driven open network, and non-threatening, characterful design.
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Practice
bee | design practice
A character you can connect with... Anyone with an internet connection can connect to Bee's live stream
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Many people feel threatened by conventional drones in public spaces because they have no control over the footage, and feel their privacy is being invaded. Bee overcomes this by being a product of the ‘Internet of Things’ and is connected to the ‘Hive’. The Hive would be a website and app that allows anyone with an internet connection to view a live feed from Bee’s camera and see what it sees. Most of the time this would be a beautiful landscape or epic shot of a skier carving down q slope, but if Bee was misused, the online community would see this and report the user.
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bee | design practice
Creating the concept Analogue processes and a traditional approach A more traditional approach of sketching and hand modelling was used to develop the form, with no CAD involved. The module pushed us to work on our classical design skills, working by touch rather than relying on renders.
↓ Development sketches and early branding ideas. Initially Bee was to carry a Go-Pro, but the design developed it's own character and form language.
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↑ Finished appearance model of Bee. The main forms were turned on the lathe, with details cut and sanded by hand before being painted.
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bee | design practice
Designed for adventure Bee is designed to fit inside a single lens pouch or rucksack side pocket
Bee's snap-on propeller pods are the same outer diameter as the main body, allowing the body and propellers to stack inside a camera lens pouch, or slide into a water bottle side pocket. The tail loop can be used as an attachment point for a rucksack.
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misc. A collection of smaller projects A selection of older work and smaller projects, showing progression and breadth of skills accumulated throughout university.
Projects
misc. | small projects
Tilt (2016) Characterful desktop speaker - Digital sketching - Surface modelling - High quality Keyshot rendering - Integrating Personality
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Snap (2016) Injection Moulded Plectrum Holder
- Design for manufacture - Robust CAD and detailed engineering drawings - Set up of CNC milling machine and lathe - Operation of manual milling machine and lathe - Operation of injection moulding machine
� Mould removed from injection moulding machine and opened, revealing the first product.
↓ Plectrum holder removed from mould and assembled.
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misc. | small projects
Frey (2017) Children's powered origami gliders teaching sustainable creativity A conceptual project for the a brief to create a child's toy with an emphasis on sustainability. The project was research led and inspired by topical issues, Nordic myths and the magic of flight.
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1. The child is greeted by a pop up environment and stonepaper building materials representing this creature’s habitat.
2. The creation is folded according to the pattern. Once their confidence grows, they can use the unmarked materials to create their own designs.
3. The play experience can be enhanced by scanning their creation into the app, providing a virtual ecosystem for their designs to live on.
4. The creature takes flight, powered by natural rubber chord attached to a balsa clip. Different creatures will fly with different character.
5. When the stonepaper body is worn out, the prop assembly is removed, and the paper is composted with other seeds and nutrients provided.
6. With care provided, a plant representing the character of the bird will grow, transferring the memory of use from material to nature.
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CV - Robert Chapman rob.id@outlook.com 0 (+44) 7912 548164 linkedin.com/in/rob-c
Experience 2018 New Designers Exhibition New Designers / Loughborough Design School One of the fourteen students to be selected by Loughborough University to exhibit at the prestigious New Designers exhibition. We had to design and build many elements of the stand, pitch our products to judges and integrate ourselves into the design industry. Degree Show Committee Loughborough Design School I played a key role volunteering on the University's Degree Show Committee alongside my studies. I worked with the Project Manager and Creative Services, guiding the show's graphic communication, ensuring the final deliverables reflected the values of our year. 2016 Native Design - Intern Shoreditch, London - Seven month design internship I worked on projects at Native Design for brands such as Hewlett-Packard, Bowers & Wilkins, and Coloplast. My tasks included concept generation, sketching, CAD, rendering, CMF development, and model making. The environment was incredibly fast paced and the standards high. 2015 Label Magazine Page Designer LSU Media - Loughborough University I volunteered designing page spreads for sections of the termly LSU Label magazine. We would be given a themed brief, content to present, and a week to design our spreads. Ride Collective - Society Committee and Co-founder Loughborough University Some friends and I from the Design School founded 'Ride Collective', a society for BMX riders and skateboarders of all abilities. My roles included organising events, creating branding and designing posters.
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Skills 2D
Sketching/rendering - Both analogue and digital Adobe Suite - Highly proficient in Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign and Lightroom Axure - App prototyping software Sketchbook Pro - For digital sketching on Wacom tablets
Photography - A passionate hobby and key part of communicating my work Illustration - Vector illustrations for work and pleasure
3D
3D CAD - Solidworks/Creo Parametric Keyshot - My strongest tool - combined with Photoshop for photorealistic renders Model Making - Hand tools, marking out, machine tools (milling, centre lathe etc.) Lash Ups / Card Models - Quick concept testing with paper/card models
Education 2018 Industrial Design and Technology BA - First Class Honours Loughborough University 2014 A Levels - Product Design: A* | Chemistry: A | Physics: B Birkenhead School
Awards 2018 New Designers - Belmond Award Runner Up New Designers / Loughborough Design School DCA Live Project with Loughborough University - 1st Prize DCA / Loughborough Design School
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id portfolio | 2018
rob.id@outlook.com 0 (+44) 7912 548164