LED Herb Planter
For this assignment, we were tasked to created a LED Kitchen Planter, with a minimum of 3 pot places.
We were only allowed to use ABS plastic (1.5mm thickness), and Methylene Chloride for bonding. No heat application was permitted.
Below is the design process, from the inspiration right to the final product.
RESEARCH
I created 2 research boards in order to get concepts, ideas and facts down in a visual way.
I then used these boards to conceptualise and sketch out numerous ideas incorporating ideas and important considerations in the designs, in order to see what can and what can't work
IDEATION:
Below are rough ideation (the formation of ideas or concepts) sketches.
For the ideation phase I went through multiple ideas, each with their own thought process but the main idea being a "staircase" effect.
After going through these basic concepts, I chose 3 of my favourite concepts and created three clear concept direction pages.
I then took these developmental sketches to create 1:1 prototypes of the ideas, including accurate dimensions:
These models aided me in determining correct scale and measurements when making the ABS planter.
Prototype 1: based on Concept 1:
Prototype 2: based on Concept 2:
Prototype 3: based on Concept 3:
Each prototype had the issue of size as they all were too small realistically. However the main issues with the individual models are as follows:
Concept 1: The idea of having each pot suspended I the air with no base support did not work as the weight of the plants would have been too heavy.
Concept 2: Here a similar issue occurred with the pots not having any support therefore not realistically working.
Concept 3: here I did not see any serious, preventative issues. Just minor issues wit spacing of the pots and drainage ideas.
Here I sketched out multiple pages of refinement, demonstrating what the end result would possibly look like.
I incorporated different aspects from the three above as well as new ideas into this refinement, taking a lot of inspiration from concept 3.
Below, are images demonstrating production images. Firstly, I began by cutting out all the pieces. I used a small paint can to create and maintain the shape of my circular pot. I then (with the help of my mom) attached my circular pot to the "main" pots, using Methylene chloride in a syringe, and applying compression. After glueing together the parts, I used pieces of string to help keep the oval shape of the pots.
Then cut out my drainage base and drawer, and attached it to the pots, using the same method.
After all. the pots were assembled I then sanded the entire planter down. I then attached the LED strip to the piece of ABs using the adhesive backing on the strip.
OUTCOME:
Reflection:
During this process, I faced numerous challenges from the start.
Cardboard prototypes: these often had issues with scale, and proportions. As well as the fact that making these prototypes were somewhat easy and gave me a false impression of what the ABS would've been like.
The ABS prototype: The main issue I faced was how to create curves and bends without the use of heat, this challenge led me to use creative ways to achieve my design. The second issue I had, was all the attachment, this was due to the intense friction on the curves.
Despite challenges, this was a good challenge and I think had a good result.
Tools used:
Methylene Chloride, Safety gloves, a Dremel, Steel ruler, Pliers, Stanley Knife, 10ml Syringe.
