This process log is a part of series from my HCDE 451: User Experience Prototyping Techniques class taken in Autumn 2023. This class exposes students to several prototyping techniques to solve several types of user experience design problems.
This week’s challenge was to create a model of an object to print in polylactic acid filament (PLA).
Specifications
For this assignment, we had to design something that would be useful in everyday life — it must serve some function rather than just being art or for decoration.
Design
As usual, I started my process with sketching out some ideas.
However, to get precise measurements I created a rough prototype using cardboard.
Once I had the design perfected in the 3D modeling software, I chose to print it.
Analysis
Feasibility
It was easy to test my prototype for feasibility. To test for feasibility, I tried it on several different types of shoes — closed-toed, open-toed, etc. The prototype held up well in all these different shoe styles.
Impact
As a result of this product, I was now able to store my shoes properly, preventing them from being damaged.
Reflection
I chose to create a shoe insert because it solved a problem for me — I have several pairs of shoe that store more often than I wear and that, due to improper storage, are loosing their shape.
Perhaps the biggest challenge for this project was learning advanced 3D modeling software. I had never used one before, so I sought help from my peers in the course. Picking the right software was important because if the software were too complex it would hinder the design process, however, if the software were too simple it wouldn’t allow for sophistication in the end product.
Printing the final product was a challenge too. My first attempt at printing did not yield a perfect result. I printed the object at a 2 mm thickness and it was difficult for the printer to maintain that thinness on the edges. So for my next attempt I increased the thickness to 5mm.
