Karli Dendy Product Design Portfolio
Radio To design a radio that was portable and had the option for both cable and battery operation. The concept of the radio was to follow retro styling like the popular ‘Roberts’ radios, as well as being versatile to fit into a modern environment.
Design Workshop For this project we designed tasks to see how people communicated when one of their senses had been removed. This task had to be executed within five mintues These included; not being able to hear, talk or see. To make the participants unable to hear, they were given earplugs, and then asked (using a written sign) to arrange themselves, ordered by date of birth. When simulating being ‘mute’, we asked them not to talk, and then to do the same task as the ‘deaf’ group. The final group was then blindfolded and asked to arrange themselves in order of height. We observed the participants communicate using their hands to express themselves when simulating being deaf or mute. And then in the case of being blind, touching each other to see how tall they were.
Cardboard Chair This was a group project to design something to sit on which could hold the weight of an adult. We created a lot of maquettes to try and create the strongest structure. The final design is this chair which can be slotted together enabling it to be easily pulled apart and flat packed. There were no fixings required.
Empathy Project: Temporarily Disabled To use empathy tools, to see how easy it is for people who break their limbs to cope with their temporary disability. In the hope that we could design something to make their lives easier. We decided to document day-to-day tasks using photographs. We disabled our bodies by; strapping one arm and putting it into a sling. And then asked our tester to use crutches whilst ‘hopping’, so we could accurately imitate the experience of temporary disability. The tasks we chose included; making breakfast, climbing the stairs, taking money out at an ATM, and trying to pay for shopping.
Lighting Project To design a lighting system with an innovative control. It must have a low energy usage. Is used to add an element of fun and interactivity between the user and their table by means of sliding their mugs into the table.
Compressor Project To design an air compressor for small bussinesses operating workshops with 3-5 employees. This air compressor was created to be fully covered to prevent dirt build up on vital components DYNK is portable and uses semiotics in it’s design.
Learning Aid The development of a learning aid for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN), which is inclusive and can be used by all children. My research with children with Special Educational Needs, as well as those in mainstream education, has lead to an interest in developing children’s maths and science skills and social communication. Maths jewellery is the product which I have created to develop childrens numeracy and science skills, incorporating aspects from the national curriculum including times tables. The products can be used within schools as well as at home which addresses the learning need of mathematics. They are also more affordable because it can be used in conjunction with schools’ existing learning resources. A presentation pack accompanies the product, showing teachers different uses of the learning aid. It is important that the product must not have the social stigma of a special needs learning tool, which can sometimes segregate children and create potential for bullying. I have managed to do this by making the toy suitable for all children. The product also had to be safe for children to use unsupervised.