An Ideal Extension Plug
Foam Core 20 x 30 In November 2019 The extension cord was to created as a solution to everyday outlet and extension plug problems and possible harm to babies. People tend to use the common extension cord that cannot do much, so this extension cord was designed to improve on the original and make it possible for everyone to use it. I was inspired by the Apple´s ¨HomePod¨ and industrial designer Lawrence Murphy.
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Planning
My inspiration for this project was to be able to create an ideal extension cord or outlet that would be able targeted to everyday families in America and families in underdeveloped countries as well. For this project, I used my family as the family model that I would want to design the plug for and asked them what are some everyday problems that they encounter with the extension cords or outlets. Then I began laying out a map that would help this product become the ideal plug/ cord for a family.
Through this interview I was able to learn more electricity problems that occurs in underdeveloped countries like Vietnam from my aunt. In underdeveloped countries, electricity outlets or plugs can be quite harmful for children and kids . The fact being that since in underdeveloped countries many of the houses and it´s layout can not support electricity properly or safely. So most of the time, whenever contact is made with electricity outlets, there is high possibility of being electrocuted which very dangerous to babies and children. So I want to be able to make this extension plug/cord ¨baby proofed¨ so that possibilities of such problems will decrease.
Through this interview I was able to learn more electricity problems that occurs in underdeveloped countries like Vietnam from my aunt. In underdeveloped countries, electricity outlets or plugs can be quite harmful for children and kids . The fact being that since in underdeveloped countries many of the houses and it´s layout can not support electricity properly or safely. So most of the time, whenever contact is made with electricity outlets, there is high possibility of being electrocuted which very dangerous to babies and children. So I want to be able to make this extension plug/cord ¨baby proofed¨ so that possibilities of such problems will decrease.
My final design was inspired by Apple and it´s design of the ¨Homepod.¨ I had always love Apple´s designs in its products, I love the modern yet sleek look that the product have. Although it is very simple and minimalist yet the technology is very complex. I want my design to reflect such elegance in it as well. What intrigued me to the ¨Homepod¨ was it´s shape and the possible things that I can make it into instead of just a smart speaker.
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Sketches
Something that I wanted for all my possible design was something call a ¨Donut¨ outlet that can let any plug be used in it. In this way, it can be use internationally (since different regions of the globe uses different plugs) and maximize the use of my design, so that people don´t have to buy different extension cords because of such a small problem.
My first idea was to create a ¨click-able¨ extension cord. I was inspired by mechanics of LEGOS and wondered if I would be able to tied that mechanics into my extension cord.It basically was an extension cord that had the ability to add or take away how may plugs there is, until it is at max point of safety. Since the plugs are able to lock in and out to one another, I designed it so it would be able to rotate 180 degrees so that it would be easier for the user. In addition, the cable wire of the extension cord shall be retractable as that would be more neat and organized.
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Putting our instructor Murf´s word in mind of thinking outside the box and explore the different shapes that certain things can be, I was inspired to create this other extension cord. Inspired by the Apple design of the ¨Homepod¨ designed by the Apple designer team, I based the shape of this idea similar to that of the ¨Homepod ¨ For this idea I was thinking of a wireless extension cord, where the portable sockets are charged on the wireless charging pad and can be used separately.
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Sketches
Process:
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Experimentation
My experimentation of this project was mostly me trying to comprehend how to use professional editing sites such as Photoshop and Photopea. I spent most of the time figuring which button does what and what to click to make the program do what I want it to do or editing the pictures so that the sketches can be seen nicely since sometimes the scanner goes a bit too light. So I had to darken the picture and add more contrast so that the sketches I drew will stand out more. I try to edit the pictures so that they all match and matches the white background as possible without whitewashing the own photo.
Reflection
Critique
Overall, I think I did a pretty good job especially with coming up with a new extension cord that could meet all my requirements for an ¨ideal extension cord¨ while still solving my problem. The design chosen for next semester pleases me as well as I think I did a good job of making it look aesthetically pleasing and practical as well. For my photo-shop job, I have mixed feelings about it as I like the color scheme, how I edit my photos and the top layout of the board, but I felt like I could have done more on the bottom part as it is a bit empty. So I could have made the images larger or add more things into the board. My edited photos however came out pretty nice as I spent the majority of the time editing them, so I am quite proud of them. The mounting however, if I were to be honest, could have been done way better. I focused too much in lining the printed poster and board in one area that I forgot about the other so the poster had some paper poking out on the sides. So I had to trim some excess paper.
Compare and Constrast
Similarities
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Differences
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ACT Responses
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork:
The modern design of the Apple´s ¨HomePod¨ and my problem with the classic extension cord caused me to create a design for a new extension cord that utilizes Apple´s characteristic in design while solving the problems I have with the extension cord.
What is the overall approach (pov) the author (from research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The research and approach to my inspiration included problems that people had with outlets or extension cords on an everyday basis while with more serious research with electric shock regarding babies. In addition my research from the Apple ¨HomePod¨ led me to an inspiration that can solve such problems while still looking nice.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
The main generalization that I formed during the project is that there is a lot of problems in everyday life and every tool and item that we use have a flaw in it. If someone took the time to sit down and design a new item that can resolve the flaw of the previous one and have the resources to go through with it, then the world would be advancing faster than it already would.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea around my inspirational research was to see possible designs that already exist that can help with my problems and incorporate them together to solve my problem, and let the design be realistic as possible.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
I inferred what kind of extension cord the whole world wants based on one family and that the design would work and have the things I want it to do.
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork:
The modern design of the Apple´s ¨HomePod¨ and my problem with the classic extension cord caused me to create a design for a new extension cord that utilizes Apple´s characteristic in design while solving the problems I have with the extension cord.
What is the overall approach (pov) the author (from research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The research and approach to my inspiration included problems that people had with outlets or extension cords on an everyday basis while with more serious research with electric shock regarding babies. In addition my research from the Apple ¨HomePod¨ led me to an inspiration that can solve such problems while still looking nice.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
The main generalization that I formed during the project is that there is a lot of problems in everyday life and every tool and item that we use have a flaw in it. If someone took the time to sit down and design a new item that can resolve the flaw of the previous one and have the resources to go through with it, then the world would be advancing faster than it already would.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea around my inspirational research was to see possible designs that already exist that can help with my problems and incorporate them together to solve my problem, and let the design be realistic as possible.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
I inferred what kind of extension cord the whole world wants based on one family and that the design would work and have the things I want it to do.
Bibliography
AAP. “ELECTRIC SHOCK INJURIES IN CHILDREN.” HEALTHYCHILDREN.ORG, PERRIGO, 2019, WWW.HEALTHYCHILDREN.ORG/ENGLISH/HEALTH-ISSUES/INJURIES-EMERGENCIES/PAGES/ELECTRIC-SHOCK.ASPX.
HOME SAFETY. “ESFI EXTENSION CORD SAFETY TIPS.” ELECTRICAL SAFETY FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL, 2015, WWW.ESFI.ORG/RESOURCE/EXTENSION-CORD-SAFETY-TIPS-478.
MIKKELSON, DAVID. “BABY KILLED BY ELECTRIC SHOCK FROM CORD.” SNOPES.COM, 2015, WWW.SNOPES.COM/FACT-CHECK/SHOCK-SCHLOCKTRINE/.
HOME SAFETY. “ESFI EXTENSION CORD SAFETY TIPS.” ELECTRICAL SAFETY FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL, 2015, WWW.ESFI.ORG/RESOURCE/EXTENSION-CORD-SAFETY-TIPS-478.
MIKKELSON, DAVID. “BABY KILLED BY ELECTRIC SHOCK FROM CORD.” SNOPES.COM, 2015, WWW.SNOPES.COM/FACT-CHECK/SHOCK-SCHLOCKTRINE/.