#break2

9th September (Sat)

Description

The final prototype plan went the same way as the initial prototype plan. First, I listed the contents of the toolkit and devised a way to produce each product. I chose to handcraft most of the products by printing them on coated paper.

Once I've chosen how I want to produce all of my content, I've distributed the workload across Weeks 7 and 8, the final prototyping period. My goal is to have the full print and files for the maker completed in Week 7, with the rest of the craft work completed in the early part of Week 8, with time to reflect and move on to other productions.

-> From the Miro board, Final prototype material plans and weekly schedule.

My material research went in two directions. Firstly, for the items I am making myself, I research the materials I am going to use on various websites and compare prices to find the most affordable and readily available materials. Secondly, I research fabricators for acrylic items, but most New Zealand fabricators have a minimum quantity of 50 or 100 pieces, so I research out from New Zealand.

-> From the Miro board, Material researching. All the image links are provided on the Miro board. (1)

Feelings

The final prototype was something I was looking forward to, so planning went smoothly. In particular, I had decided whether I wanted to make each item myself or have it made by a company, and since I had used a company many times before, I decided on the final method relatively quickly.

I feel like I'm finally at the end of the project's prototype phase. There are still a lot of things to reflect on, and a lot of things that need to be developed design-wise.

As I listed the components I needed for the final prototype, I realised that I needed a lot more ideas and designs than I had previously designed, which made me feel overwhelmed and stressed by the amount of work I was putting in front of myself.

Evaluation

Project process 3/5 - While planning the final prototype, I realised that there are many toolkit components that are still lacking to proceed with the actual final. I think I should proceed directly with the design of the planned items.

Time management 5/5 - I completed the project within the planned timeframe. I completed the material research in the short term because I continuously researched various materials and contacted manufacturers since Week 6.

Project outcome 4/5 - I completed my research on materials and suppliers for the toolkit, but I wish I had found materials that were more affordable and easily accessible within New Zealand.

Analysis

The final prototype planning allowed me to create a systematic progression plan for my project. In particular, planning gives me the opportunity to reflect on my project and identify gaps. In this case, I realised that my previous designs and progress needed to be improved. This clarified my plan for the future and helped me see where and how the project could evolve.

However, planning is not always right because planning must be accompanied by time, and planning alone does not anticipate all of the future. For example, despite my initial prototype planning, there were still a lot of changes in my final plan. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly reflect on yourself and work without a plan.

Conclusion

I learnt the two sides of planning. I think planning is important; it is the foundation of a project and allows me to be prepared for different situations. However, sticking to a plan was a fatal flaw for me. As I worked on my new plan, I found gaps in my project that I had yet to notice.

This happened because I only trusted my plan. To avoid this in my final prototype, I will review the previous plan and build a new one each time I move forward with the project to avoid repeating my previous mistakes.

Action Plan

I'm happy with my prototype plans and material research, but I've been investigating if there are other ways to print acrylic other than from overseas manufacturers, and Fablab has suggested one.

The idea is to buy clear, thin, printable acrylic paper from Gordon Harris that can be printed on a university printer, print it, and then use a laser cutter to make a thicker acrylic block to hold the two materials together with resin. This is obviously a material that is readily available in New Zealand and would save on delivery fees and time. However, as it is something I am not familiar with, the time and labour involved in making it makes sense to use a manufacturer. Nevertheless, I would like to try the method recommended by Fablab, as it is interesting.

Next Plan

Continue to evolve the design of the prototype to reflect the initial prototype.

Work on the final prototype files for print-out and send to manufacturers

At the end of next week, I'm planning to start a video storyboard for A3

Reference

7th September (Thu)

Description

This week I aimed to build an initial prototype in order to start building the final prototype in Week 7. I based my creation on the Prototype it tool from The collective action toolkit, so I started by sorting out my materials list.

-> Prototype it tool from frog’s The collective action toolkit. (David Sherwin, 2023) (1)

Since my idea is a physical toolkit idea, the actual size was important to me, so I made various sizes and measured them in the fridge to come up with the ideal size before I started working on the specific idea. In the case of the food card, I actually made it and found that my first idea was too small, so I made a new size.

-> Illustrate digital sketch of Prototype sizes

I created the pixel icons as previously planned but reflected on them midway through the process. I realised that I didn't have enough time to complete the pixel art style and that the project positionality wasn't fully involved and reflected, so I went with a 2nd initial prototype.

-> From the Miro board, 1st initial prototype ideas

Prior to the 2nd initial prototype, I reworked the existing logo and fonts as the pixel art style had been abandoned. I decided to use the Goodkitty font for the logo, with Montana as a sub, and keep the existing font, Acumin Variable Concept, for the body font.

-> From the Miro board, new logo ideas

The lack of positionality meant that my project didn't have enough Māori elements since my project is based on indigenous culture. Therefore, I researched various Māori patterns and chose Pātikitiki, which I felt was the best fit for my project topic. Pātakitaki is a pattern that means 'hospitality' and 'availability of food'.

-> Pātikitiki pattern from Kōwhaiwhai for beginners (2021)

This is the 2nd initial prototype design, incorporating new ideas from the 1st initial prototype reflection. I put the Māori pattern, Pātikitiki, on hold because I had not yet received direct permission or checked with indigenities.

-> From the Miro board, 2nd initial prototype ideas

I later printed a 2nd prototype design to create a physical prototype. I printed my design on coated paper and glued it to thicker paper so that it would resemble the actual product. For the magnet products, I glued pieces of magnet sheet to the thick paper.

-> Prototype hero shots

Feelings

As with the previous logo design process, I feel the most stressed when I'm working on a creative design. This time, I found a lot of errors and shortcomings in the 1st prototype design, which caused me some confusion. However, through critical reflection, I was able to figure out the problems and create a more advanced design.

The 2nd initial prototype design is still lacking, but I am getting closer to the ideal physical prototype model of the project as I see the toolkit components evolving little by little.

Evaluation

Project process 5/5 - I am satisfied with the current direction of the project and the percentage of progress above 50%.

Time management 2/5 - I thought I had enough time to prepare, one week, but it was a short period of time to organise the design ideas. I completed the prototype in insufficient time, which resulted in unsatisfactory work.

Project result 3/5 - I completed the prototype I had planned but did not complete a satisfactory design. The design needs more research and development.

Analysis

The toolkit 'Prototype it' was the only tool in The collective action toolkit(David, 2023) that was related to prototypes. However, despite being the only tool, the explanation and understanding of prototypes needed to be improved. This is because The collective action toolkit is a toolkit for group projects. The point where 'Prototype it' differs from the other tools is the idea-sharing session in a group at the end of the tool. However, considering the project's ethical situation, I could not share ideas and reflect with others, so I generated the maximum effect through multiple reflections on my own.

Conclusion

Creative activities always took time away from me. I realised again while designing this project that design is a continuous process of reflection. I had two initial ideations, but there were six design changes, including hand sketching.

Also, if I were to reflect on myself, I need to develop better time management skills. I need to set a time limit and distribute my time appropriately by learning to give up when the creative design process is not progressing within the limited time and reflecting back.

Action Plan

If I were to go through the initial prototype process again, I would set aside more time than I do now. While my improved time allocation skills are important, I believe that if I had more time, I would have been able to reflect on the design and complete it sooner.

Next Plan

Final prototype planning and material research

From my initial prototype reflection, I will continue to develop the design of the prototype.

Reference

(1) David Sherwin. (2023). frog’s Collective Action Toolkit. DAVID SHERWIN. https://www.davidsherwin.com/collective-action-toolkit