DT Assignment 1
Improving the Design Technology Department
Daniel Worthington Candidate no. 100
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Contents
•Introduction
•Brainstorm
•Main Focus
•Design Brief
•Justification of need
•Questionnaire
•Design specification
•Plan of action
P- 2
P-4
P-7
P-8
P-9
P-11
P-13
P-15
Daniel Worthington Candidate no. 100
Introduction
Bangkok Patana School is situated in South East Asia in Bangkok, located on Sukhumvit Soi 105 or Soi LaSalle. It provides a
world class education to over 2100 students from over fifty three nations. The schools environment is drawn from
both the culture of the region as well as elements of its philosophy. The first impressions intend to reflect a sense of
peace and calm, and spaciousness. Patana is an academically directed school. It is focussed to offer all students the
best intellectual and physical preparation for further studying. Patana is a school that respects and celebrates
differences – in culture, language, tradition, as well as in learning and teaching styles. They teach within the National
Curriculum as well as teaching the International Baccalaureate. The school has multiple facilities covering sports, arts,
and sciences, one new addition is the schools sports hall (5), which houses multiple sports facilities for all ages. The
latest addition is the new Visual and performing arts building (22), which has just finished construction and has been
the main part of Patana’s refurbishment plan in the school. More recently the school as reconstructed a new library
out of the old auditorium (not pictured) as well as a new exam hall at the front of school.
“Our Mission: To ensure that students
of different nationalities grow to their
full potential as independent learners
in a caring British international
community.” – Bangkok Patana Mission
Statement
Daniel Worthington Candidate no. 100
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Identifying a situation
The Design Technology department is due for refurbishment. A large
budget, provided by the school, has been allocated for
improving the existing facilities. In order for the school to take
on board student ideas and opinions and as IB Design
Technology student, I have been given the task of investigating
the areas to be improved and integrated into the new Design
Technology department profile.
I will start by analysing the different areas in the Design Technology
department and taking pictures of four specific parts that I think
could use improvement. Then I will brainstorm the problems in
each area. I will then analyse my main focus in more detail,
which will be the chairs of the Design Technology lab. After
analysing the chairs, I will look at the existing solutions that are
available in Bangkok and produce a design specification of what
is needed to make a successful chair.
This is the design cycle model (right). It
represents the process that designers take when
they are designing and producing new ideas. In
this project, we shall only be analysing the
‘Identifying needs’ part up to the ‘Research’ part
of the model. The assignment is based in the
Design Technology lab area, and will focus on
problems with the safety and practicality of the
area.
identifying or clarifying a
need or opportunity
testing and
evaluating the
chosen
solution
analysing,
researching and
specifying
requirements
Identifying
needs
Evaluating
Researching
Generating
ideas
Realising
solution
realising the
chosen solution
Daniel Worthington Candidate no. 100
Developing
solutions
generating
ideas and
solutions
developing the
chosen
solution
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This page shows a brainstorm that
outlines where all the possible
issues throughout the DT lab are
and how they could be solved
Use higher
quality chairs
Chairs and
stools are
constantly used
Install a
vacuum
A lot of
dust is
produced
Seating
Cutting
DT
DEPARTMENT
Machinery
Use chuck key to
tighten drill bit
Regularly
replace
fabric
Joints in wooden
stools weaken
due to overuse
and may break.
Sanding
Apply eye
protection
Drilling
Use better
quality
stools
Use solid
material
instead of
clothe
Enforce joints
with adhesive
etc
Storage
Drill bits can
be
improperly
secured
Drill bits
misplaced
Material
improperly
secured
Do not leave
the drill bits
in machine
Use a stronger
and more
durable fabric
Fabric on chairs wear
and tear causing
discomfort to users
Blades get
damaged
Use a
vice/weight to
secure the
material
Remove
incline utility
Maintain Blades
on a regular
basis
Replace
blades
Wear an
apron
Harder
materials
Strengthen the
back support
Back support on
chair weakens
due to overuse
and may break
Put the drill
bits into a
drill bit
storage
system
Insufficient
room to
store all
objects
A wide
range of
objects
must be
stored
Waste
material
must be
discarded
Different
materials
are often
mixed
Materials
may break
when stored
Waste
materials
are not
recycled
Different
types of
objects
become
cluttered
Waste is
mistakenly
kept
Incorporate
a recycling
bin system.
Discard waste
materials and
organize stored
objects more
efficiently
Place bins
throughout the
DT lab and
regularly look
through the lab
for waste
Daniel Worthington Candidate no. 100
Enforce a
more
organized,
labeled
storage for
products
Utilize more
organized
storage
products
Store products
in a secure,
protected
environment
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Brainstorming
Tool Shelf
The tool shelf does not have any
glass casing or doors in front of it.
This means all the tools are
exposed and could fall out easily,
which is a concern, mainly for the
younger design students, who will
not be as experienced and sensible
in the workshop. Placing a
transparent door, made of
materials such as glass, on the
cupboard would cancel the risk of
any of the tools falling out and
injuring people.
The shelves in this cupboard are not organised
in the best way possible. Especially the glues
which need labelling so that people can find
the specific glue that they require.
The tools in the cupboard are not stored in the best way
possible. It is a little bit untidy, and the only thing
separating tools are baskets, which are not that big and
therefore need to be used wisely to store all the tools, if
any more tools were added space would become a
problem. Including slots on the shelves for the specific
tools, and categorising them in some order would help
improve the organisation and make it easy to store and
find equipment.
Seating
Seating
The stools are not
crafted in the most
comfortable way, they
lack any support for the
upper body which means
it is not going to be
comfortable for
designers. Having so
much as a small back
support to make it easier
to relax, would improve
the comfort in the DT lab
and reduce risks of
accidents that occur due
to stress
The chairs themselves
are not extremely
comfortable, they stick
to one shape instead of
allowing some flexibility
to mould into the
person sitting in it, it
also lacks arm rests,
meaning the occupant
of the chair must rest
his hands on the table.
The chairs are made of materials that can
easily be damaged and ripped, which is
not suitable for a chair in a place where
sharp objects are constantly around
Daniel Worthington Candidate no. 100
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Brainstorming
Work Benches
The wooden clamps are easier to
break than the metal ones. The
fact that they are easier to break
leads to splinters, which could
cause injuries in the lab, and
equipment that does not work
because it will not hold anything
as well anymore
The materials used for the tables are not
suitable for the lab. In my opinion, they need to
be made of a material that could be cleaned
easier, removing paint stains, and glue, that
sticks to the table. An example of an alternative
material would be granite or marble
Supplies cupboard
The goggles in the workshop also
take up table space. This does not
allow people to use the tables and
therefore creates a lack of space
They need a rack for them to be
stored in so they allow more desk
space to be used, and it makes it
easier to store and find them
The guillotines are
constantly left on tables
and counters in the lab. This
means that they take up
space and are constantly in
the way of people. Also,
since the guillotines are
sharp, having them left out
exposed to everyone can
pose a risk, especially to the
younger students
The items in the shelves
are poorly stored and
could use a lot of
improvement, the use of
boxes to store everything
means there will be mess
within the box. If drawers
were to be used instead of
boxes, then it would be
easier to get to items
instead of having to lift out
a box.
All of the equipment on the floor
is all unorganised. There are no
indicating labels or shelves where
to store these things, and there is
a lot of floor space used up,
which makes getting to items in
the back harder. A bigger storage
space would be one
improvement needed for this
area, as clutter on the floor can
be a minor hazard.
Daniel Worthington Candidate no. 100
This window has absolutely no
use here. It is blocked by items
being stored and does not even
serve a purpose of checking
what is in the store. The glass
window should be replaced with
a less dangerous material, for
example a wall.
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Main Focus: Seating
Chairs
The current chair, used in the design
studios in the DT lab could use some
improvement. The back of the chair does
not flex properly, which is irritating for the
person sitting in the chair, as a rigid
backrest is uncomfortable especially during
long hours of work, for example when a
student is meeting a deadline, he or she is
most likely to spend the final days glued to
their project which will mean a lot of
computer time. If they have an
uncomfortable chair then this is going to
add to the stress they already feel Also the
pivot by which the backrest leans back
does not hold its position when it is set to
upright, which causes it to lean back even if
you want to keep yourself sitting in an
upright position. Also, these chairs cost
3,707 baht each, therefore a replacement
chair would have to cost the same or less
to manufacture or buy
Stools
The material used to make the chairs in the
design studios, is very weak and can be
ripped easily. Also these holes that form in
the chairs, no matter how small, cause
students to start poking pencils into them,
which enlarge the holes and also get stuck
inside the chair. Using a stronger material,
possibly one that is not hollow on the
inside, would strengthen the chair and
allow it to last longer.
The stools used in the DT workshop could be made
slightly more comfortable. The lack of a back rest on
them does make it uncomfortable when a student
needs to work at a workshop table for a long time.
The stool face itself could be made a little bit bigger,
especially considering the larger students may find it
uncomfortable. By adding a larger stool face, and
possibly designing the stool more like a bar stool with
a backrest, the stool can be made more comfortable
which allows students to sit down and work longer,
especially during the final days of projects as many
students will be spending a lot of time on either the
computer or on their models, which means they will
be sitting on these stools hours on end and the lack
of comfort will not help with their concentration.
The stool legs tend to bend easily and
the cushions come apart from the frame.
The stools in the DT could use some
reinforced material for the legs and have
a better attachment method, for
example using longer screws to hold the
stool top in place.
Daniel Worthington Candidate no. 100
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Design Brief
I intend to focus solely on the chair aspect of the seating issue within the Design Technology lab. I intend to design a
chair that can be used in the DT lab. The chair is to be comfortable, and made of a durable material that can
withstand sharp objects. I intend for the design to be directed in a more youthful direction and have a more
youthful design to appeal to the students, for example shaping the chair with more curves, like many modern arts
pieces today. Furthermore, I intend for the new chairs to be more durable and tougher, and to withstand the sharp
objects that are present in the DT lab. The chair should also be affordable, and not be too expensive for its location
(i.e. Should not be expensive and fancy), when there is the risk that it will be damaged, and then be replaced which
costs more money. Also, the chair will have the same extras that the current chairs have, such as height adjustment,
and inclination adjustment, all whilst improving the current product.
Daniel Worthington Candidate no. 100
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Initial specification point
Research required
Method and source
The chair will be made from durable, and strong
materials
The safety and strength of the materials will have to
be checked e.g. Flammability and durability of chosen
materials.
Primary data. Investigating materials available in
Bangkok, using the internet.
Cost to be under 4000
Look at costs of different materials and
manufacturing process used to make a chair.
Research prices of existing products to check what
chairs will normally cost.
Internet
Style to appeal to the youth, without being offensive
to school conduct.
Research design styles aimed at the youth
generation. Search for concept designs for
inspiration. Look for designs that will not cause a
hassle in the lab, for example chairs that are too large
or too comfy (e.g. Sofa chairs). Research what the
youth generation aspire to in styles, what trends they
are in to.
Internet, furniture catalogues, furniture shops in
Bangkok, opinions of potential clients who might buy
the product.
Safety of the chair.
Look at the safety of materials being used and
research on what material will resist objects in the DT
lad, for example sharp objects.
Internet
Ergonomics of occupant of the chair.
Research the relationship between user group and
chairs. Conduct tests and trials.
Surveys, internet, books, primary research.
Function of the chair.
Look at the situation the chair is being made to solve,
find out what the client is expecting to receive when
the chair is made
Surveys, primary research
Components that make up the chair
Research the separate parts that make up chairs, look
at all the different components used
Internet, books
Manufacturing process to make the chair
Look at what is needed to make all the components
and how they are put together, find out how all the
components fit together to make the chair
Internet, books, surveys to people in the
manufacturing business
Size of the chair
Find out the sizes of the clients and how much space
they require on a chair, research competing chair
designs and analyze the sizes already available
Internet, books, surveys
Daniel Worthington Candidate no. 100
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Justification of need
In this section I will examine some alternative solutions that are already available to solve my
situation.
IKEA: JANNE swivel chair
Key Features
-Height adjustable for a
comfortable sitting posture.
-Removable and washable
cover; easy to keep clean.
Evaluation of product
This design is quite bland, and has no youth appeal whatsoever, which makes it
quite dull for a school environment. Also it has an upright and rigid backrest
which will make it uncomfortable, especially during long hours of work, for
example when a student is working on meeting a project deadline. This chair,
though cheap and easily affordable for the school, does not make a suitable
solution, as the quality is defiantly sub-standard compared to the current
chairs
IKEA: ALLAK swivel chair
Key features
-Seating surface in easy care split
leather.
-Height adjustable for a comfortable
sitting posture.
-Adjustable tilt tension; increase or
decrease the resistance to suit your
movements and weight.
Evaluation of product
This design appears very comfortable, and it has
wheels underneath so it can be moved around easily.
However, it is a relatively pricey chair, and the
material needs to be looked after. Leather is not the
most suitable material for a school chair, as it will get
scratched easily and requires constant maintenance.
Also this chair would be costly to the school in the
long run because when they would need to buy
replacements, it would cost them a lot of money, as
would buying a whole set for the lab.
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Daniel Worthington Candidate no. 100
Justification of need
IKEA: JAKOB Swivel chair with pad
Key features
-Swivel function; allows you to sit down at and rise
without having to move the chair.
-Pad with filling for enhanced seating comfort.
-The pad is kept in place by touch-and-close
fastening; easy to put on and take off.
-Hard-wearing cotton/viscose blend with
structure.
Evaluation of product
This design is slightly more funky than the
previous two, however it is very basic and
sticks to one shape only. Furthermore, it
lacks wheels and therefore requires the
students to carry it, should they want to
move it around. Also it lacks the armrests
once more, and that is a key function in what
I am looking for. It also lacks an incline
function on the backrest which is something I
think would be quite important.
IKEA: JERRIK Swivel chair
Evaluation of product
This chair has a very basic shape, and
although padded for comfort it looks way
too slim to support a range of people
comfortably. Also the synchronised tilt
function may get tiresome after some time.
As having the backrest follow you when you
lean forward may not be something you
want. Also, the chair lacks armrests, which
is what I am trying to improve with the
current chairs.
Key features
-Height adjustable seat and backrest for maximum support
regardless of body height.
-Adjustable and lockable tilt function for increased stability
and control in different sitting positions.
-Synchronised tilt function in seat and backrest; the chair
follows your movements when you lean forward or back.
-Built-in lumbar support; provides extra relief and support
for your back.
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Daniel Worthington Candidate no. 100
Questionnaire
In order to find out what the client is looking for in a chair, I have created a set of questions that can give me an idea of what the clients want.
1. Does style of a chair matter to you? Y:
N:
2. If style does matter, which of the following would suit you best?
Modern (funky concept designs):
Classic:
Colourful:
Plain:
3. Do you prefer armrests on a chair?
Y:
N:
4. Do you want a recliner? Y: N:
5. Do you want an option to change the height of the seat? Y: N:
6. What would you consider the best material to make the chairs out
of?
Leather:
Cloth:
Canvas:
Net:
Daniel Worthington Candidate no. 100
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Questionnaire Responses
modern
Question
1
Question
2
yes
colourfull
no
Question
3
classic
plain
Question
4
yes
yes
no
no
leather
Question
5
yes
Question
6
no
cloth
canvas
net
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Daniel Worthington Candidate no. 100
Design Specification
I intend for the design to:
•
Be made from durable materials that will resist being cut from sharp objects easily
•
Be styled in a more modern youthful style that appeals to the students.
•
Have armrests, so that students can relax easier during long periods of working.
•
Have a reclining lever, to allow rest periods to be more comfortable.
•
Have the suspension to change height, to allow the chair to be practical for people with different heights.
•
Be affordable, without being too poorly made for a cheap price, but keeping it affordable and within a price range
that lets the school buy replacements if need be, without trouble.
•
Have a backrest that is more flexible or soft, to allow it to mould into the back of whoever is sitting in it.
•
Have a sturdy lock on the reclining lever, so as it does not recline when it does not need to.
•
Not have holes and a hollow inside, to remove the temptation of students poking pencils into the chair.
Daniel Worthington Candidate no. 100
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Plan of Action
Below is the plan of action I intend to follow for the making of the chair.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Create a set of initial ideas that can solve the need
Chosen idea is chosen based on how well it fits specification or if improvements are possible.
Chosen idea is developed and new research is carried out on the concept.
Suggestions from research are taken in and more development is done if it is needed.
Once the concept has been developed to its full potential, manufacture of a prototype is started.
The prototype is then used for a test run after manufacturing with a user group.
Observed comments about products performance will be noted
Test group will then fill out an evaluation form on the product, which will then be used for final
evaluation.
All comments and suggestions are used for a final evaluation of the product before it goes into
mass production.
Daniel Worthington Candidate no. 100
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Bibliography
Introduction inspired from www.patana.ac.th, accessed on January 2010
Daniel Worthington Candidate no. 100
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