The Family Ideal Extension Powerstrip
Plastic, Clay, Cardboard
12 x 3 In
January 2021
Plastic, Clay, Cardboard
12 x 3 In
January 2021
The extension powerstrip was to created as a solution to everyday outlet and is targeted to the average US family. People tend to use the common extension cord that cannot do much, so this extension powerstrip 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.
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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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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Process
Prototype 1:
For the first prototype, I was experimenting with the what kind of electrical sockets do I want to use for this extension powerstrip and the size of each sockets. I experimented with different kinds of plugs that I have from my devices. One being a phone charger while the other is a laptop charger. I knew I wanted my socket to be in a shape of a sphere, as I plan for socket to be portable from the power strips. Which make could possibly mean that these sockets will be wireless.
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Prototype 2:
For the second prototype, I was able to have a solid idea for my sockets. The sockets for my prototype were more detailed as I was able to find some empty egg cartons to use as my mold. Using the same four mold, I experimented with what kind of sockets do I really want. Did I want the traditional sockets? International sockets? Using the egg carton, I was able to obtain a prototype of my power strip with better proportions.
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Prototype 3/ Recent Prototype
The latest prototype have a lot of changes thanks to the critique session after prototype 2. Leaving the critique session for prototype 2, I was given multiple ideas how to improve my extension powerstrip. For the third prototype, I made it so that there were more outlets on one power strip. In addition to having 24 outlets instead of four, the new power strip/board have the ability to bend so that it can be place in corners. Which makes the prototype more organized compared to traditional powerstrip.
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Experimentation
My main experimentation for this piece would be the plastic used for the power strip and the struggles in trying to make the plastic carton bend in the way I wanted it too. I first began by trimming the middle of where I want it to bend. Since it is the middle, it is very sturdy, so I had to do a hefty amount of cutting and trimming. However, even though when I have almost cut through the whole carton it still didn't bend the way I wanted so then I had to think of an alternative.
So then i decided to cut the 24 socket carton into two, so that I have two 12 socket carton left. I then brainstormed of what should I put in between these two carton in order for them to bend and fit in the corner neatly. Which I was then able to find some left over cardboard from Christmas. Then I used it as the bending part of the extension powerstrip, by hot gluing the two carton on the ends of the cardboard. Before being the middle of the cardboard strip, which then make it way easier to bend.
In addition, my last brain cell decided to use heat to clean up my choppy cutting skills on the plastic carton which i do not recommend as that is dangerous for your health.
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Reflection
In general, I am quite disappointed with the outcome of this project as the handicraft of the piece could have done better then using plastic egg cartons. But as the pandemic threw us off, it was the best material that I got at hand. I was very happy with creative process as I was able to add additional aspects to my coord that differentiate it to existing extension powerstrip. I am pleased to see how the extension powerstrip branched out to be targeted for average families instead of just families who wanted to protect their babies from electricity. I am a bit sad that I wasn't able to get to my cord, as I wanted the cord to be a flat cord similar to those of LED lights so that it would be more organized. If possible I would like to make a better prototype of the recent prototype with better materials then egg cartons.
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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/.