my contribution on A05 (Coleman Tent Bed Project)

This was our final group project where we had to conceive a product for indoor use from an outdoor/camping product manufacturing/retail company. The group tasks were divided in following manner:


Concept development, Design: Me
Tyler Bi: Packaging
Courtney: Kiosk Design
Trevor R: Presentation in powerpoint


Concept development and Design: As we brainstormed, we decided to go ahead with my idea of a tent bed for children. I developed the concept in 3D with help of Google Sketchup, and elaborated the concept, assembly, dissassembly and storage with drawings. I developed the concept considering following ideas:

1. The product is a twin bed with a collapsible tent for children.
2. Illustrations of how to set up the tent on the bed and how to remove it and store it.
3. It is for people who live in an urban environment. As outdoor living and camping is not an option for them yet (family with babies/young children), the tent bed provides them with a flavor of outdoor in a small environment. If you can’t go to the jungle, bring the jungle to the bed-room. It is also good for playtime as the bed gets converted to a tent, the whole bed-room may become the imaginary camp ground.
4.  Durable Tent fabric made out of 100% recycled plastic bottle.

a.       The tent structure is made out of recyclable plastic beams.

b.      The structure folds up like an accordion and can be stored easily in a small area when not in use
c.       The sturdy bed is made out of recycled engineered wood, with rugged finish, giving the bed a campy, outdoor feel.

 

For the final project, I looked forward to working with the group, and the members were receptive of my ideas, and appreciative of my work. I am also thankful for their co-operation and contribution. However, the group didn't work together as much, which affected our end result. The other members wanted to 'split the work', which I didn't realize, apparently meant not taking any ideas/feedback from other members of the group on the work of an individual member. We never got to formally meet for going over our work for any significant amount of our time.  I wish our group members showed a little more enthusiasm to participate together, then we would've gotten a much better product developed. Overall, I really liked the class and the instructor and the students, and my group members too. It was a great first experience as a design class.