Portfolio

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Aileen Tran Product Design Portfolio


Who I am My name is Aileen Tran, and I am a Product Designer based in Portland, Oregon. Growing up in Portland I found that the only products I used came from thrift stores, garage sales, and free piles. Over the years I’ve kept a lot of things, some I still use, but a lot that have become completely useless. Although I don’t use these things I have a hard time getting rid of it. I’ve realized the reason why I love these products so much is because of the stories of how I found them, and the memories I have attached to them.

Why I Create I create because I want to give that feeling to other people through design, I want to tell stories through products. What I really want to do is bring quality of life through interaction with products, and a lot of what inspires my work is to create in a way that celebrates unique people.


FORM EXPLORATION

JetBlue

STORYTELLING

365 Native

AESTHETICS

Morning Mugs

USER CENTERED

Venus

The Hideout

PROBLEM SOLVING


The Hideout Multi-functional furniture for small living spaces



81%

49%

of people in the US live in urban areas

of people say the main cause arguments comes from different feelings of clutter


Experts predict the world’s urban population to double by 2050

Having too much stuff is the single biggest cause of stress in the home


Small Apartments Focusing specifically on small apartments and studios in large cities. As high density populations are increasing, the cost of living is increasing, causing people to downsize their lifestyle. People are having to do more with less.


Users Users in their late 20’s to 30’s are the largest age group living in urban areas. They are independently living and are found to be putting off home ownership.


Living Space Living in a small environment results in users doing a variety of activities in one space. Users are often eating, and drinking, in their living rooms. Some users find their couches more comfortable, while others lack space for a desk/dinner table. Through talking to users in these spaces, I found that they prioritize keeping their living rooms clean because it is a common area.


Insight “Things that shouldn’t be in my room, were in my room” - Krystie Van

“I have everything but it’s very cramped” - Channy Chan


How might we accommodate those living in small apartments that must eat, and drink in one space while also considering the issues of clutter?


Finding the Solution Finding ways to consider comfortable seating for eating and drinking. Another feature must be added to maximize space by utilizing storage.


Pull out table This concept experimented with having some a pull out table. I was playing around with the form, and having the table pull out from behind. I went further to minimize material and add comfort.


Pull out storage This concept played with having pull out drawers and ottomans that would have hidden storage underneath. I wanted to create a comfortable nook by having it somewhat secluded, but still open.


Further Ideation From there I changed the drawers to rotate on a pivot for easier access and minimize material and parts. I created a circular seat, but found that it compromised storage. Next I decided to add harder edges.


User Testing Going farther with the rotating drawer option, I developed a large scale model to understand how it fits in the space and how people would interact with the product. People tend to use the table and side of the chair as arm rests. Most feedback suggested the chair should have a more comfortable back angle.


Process: Bending Wood


Process: Finishing + Upholstery


CAD Modeling The CAD model was made and used to gather accurate dimensions for the final prototype. It was a way to confirm the design in proportions and structure.


Packaging Concept Packaging for this product is to protect the piece during transit before it reaches it’s home. Transportation through a building or elevator can be especially difficult when living in an apartment, which makes furniture shopping so hard. With the built in disposable wheels, you are able to roll the furniture piece with ease.


Final Design A comfortable upholstered seat with a side table that has a storage unit underneath to save space. The storage and backrest is made of bent plywood and is held up by a bent steel tubing as the frame. Rotating drawers help the product maintain a visual lightness in the space.



Rotating Drawers



The Hideout A special nook where you can truly enjoy your space




Venus Dish washing for one handed users


Grant Polson Grant is an athlete who pushes his body to the limit. Growing up playing sports, he’s learned to never let any challenge get in the way of his goals.

Athletes Journey When we are looking at improving an athletes athletic performance, we look at the train and game. Although recovery takes an important role, it is often overlooked. When asked Grant about how he recovers, he said “I don’t.”



Train

Life

Game

Recovery


re¡cov¡er¡y noun 1. a return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength.


Problem Areas Grants biggest challenges come from his disability, in which he was born without his left hand. Looking at nutrition recovery and problems in the kitchen, Grant has trouble in two key areas. This project will focus on dish washing.

DISH WASHING

FOOD PREPARATION


Empathy Exercise Insight: Left arm to push and stabilize dish ware Difficult to thoroughly clean dishes Higher risk of breaking dish ware


How might we create a dish cleaning experience that gives independence to one handed users while helping to focus on nutrition easily, safely, and stress free?


Must

Should

Could

Support

Clean cups,

Beautiful

Grip

bowls,

Unobtrusive

Leverage

plates, and cutlery


Functional Exploration Adjustable dish washing station that leverages dish ware

1. Silicone bed adjusts for dish ware

2. Gripping finger like texture


Further ideation included having an adjustable frame and built in sponges.

1. Silicone sponge helps clean cutlery and knives

2. Adjustable for variety of Open texture grips dish ware while draining water

Built in silicone sponge

sink sizes


Understanding Form I found that through the solutions I was able to come to a concept that solved for functionality, my next step was to simplify down to a unified form that would be aesthetically beautiful.




Material Tests Throughout this process I was strongly influenced by paper folding techniques. Testing patterns, cuts, and folds on a series of materials, I needed to find the right material that would offer enough rigidity, but also flexibility to mold to a variety of shapes.


Final Concept + Materials Using high density polyethylene plastic to create an outer shell that is flexible enough to bend, but rigid enough to maintain original form and using silicone that is soft enough to support dish ware. This concept is a barrier that leverages dish ware and prevents it from breaking against the sink while cleaning one handed.

Silicone

Rubber HDPE


1. Can flatten out to accommodate bowls and plates

2. Finger texture creates a built in sponge for cutlery cleaning

3. Natural shape secures rounded cups


Flexibility Structure gives malleability that allows flex in all directions, but permanent folds allow it to maintain main structure.

1. Ability to fold in different directions


2. Flexible enough to bend and twist

3. Can temporarily hold new structure


Final Form The final form consists of a paper folding technique as an outer shell structure, while the inside silicone is a soft barrier and grip to stabilize dish ware for one handed cleaning.


Stabilize + Grips The structure molds to different sizes, but the outer shell is able to enclose the dish ware to stabilize, while the textured silicone provides further grip.


Easy cleaning The Venus holds onto the bowl keeping it from racking around the sink, so that the user can safely clean one handed.




Morning Mugs A collection of ceramic ware dedicated to the students at the U of O College of Design


Mornings are essential to students A good morning is an important foundation for the rest of the day. Students focus all of their energy on their work, and often neglect the personal care they need to really perform at their best abilities. To lessen stress, students need integrate calm mornings.


Design Opportunities Standard mugs face flaws in aesthetic and function. With this project I wanted to create a functional form, but also a form that was more fun to interact with. This would encourage drinking coffee at home, rather than on the go.

Handle addition lacks harmony in form

Handle makes storage difficult and takes up space.


Color + Form Influences

MUTED COLORS

SHADOW

NEGATIVE SPACE

SHARP ANGLES


Ideation


Prototyping Paper models, CAD modeling, 3D printing


Production Plaster mold making, slip casting, sanding, glazing and firing


Negative Space This design plays with negative space, and how the form of the cup changes at different angles but still remains beautiful from any side.



Color Palette Using muted pinks and blues, as well as bold and dark colors


Lighting + Shadows Different lighting conditions will affect the visual aesthetic of the mug by creating shadows along the handle.



Packaging The packaging for this project focuses on protecting the most fragile and main piece of the design, which is the handle.





365 Native Bag Line A series of street wear bags designed for the Klamath tribe


Tribes in the United States There are hundreds of tribes in the United States, each with their own unique customs, beliefs, and traditions.

567 Federally recognized

250

Non-federally recognized


Not all natives are the same


Educating and instilling pride 365 Native is a collaborative project with designer Tracie Jackson. The purpose of this brand is to bridge the gap between traditional native fashion and modern street wear. We strove to create culturally appropriate Native American designs that educates non natives and instills pride to natives.


Klamath tribe With this project we wanted to focus on the Klamath tribe, which is a tribe local to Oregon. The Klamath are a semi-nomadic tribe. They were fishers, hunter-gatherers and are located on the Klamath reservation, in Chiloquin Oregon. The Klamath people are known for their basketry. Basketry was developed into an art form, used often for caps, shoes, and baskets for carrying food. The baskets were then used for ceremonies and collecting materials. Baby cradles were made out of cattails, porcupine quills, and tule wood which was used for the back and twine was used to tie it all up so the baby would stay in. Klamath people also practice traditional crafts such as bead work and bone work.


What do people want? Authenticity, more native designs made by native people. People want to see information behind the designs for further authenticity and to really appreciate the designs.


“It shows that we are still here, our existence is important� Noly Chouinard explains why he wears native clothing and regalia.


Color/Material/Pattern Influences Throughout this project we worked alongside Gordon Bettles. He is a Klamath elder and a former tribal leader. Gordon taught us about Klamath history, informed us of significant colors and patterns for us to use and what they represent.

COBALT BLUE BEADS

CRADLE BOARD INFLUENCE


CHIEF JOSEPH PATTERN

QUAIL BASKET WEAVING



Quail graphic repeated in leather pattern

Quail basket pattern

Chief Joseph

as graphic

patterns



Quail Design This leather flap includes a quail design that represents a mother quail and her babies. It strongly symbolizes nature and motherhood.


Bear Claw

Cradle board


Educating Each purchase comes with informational tags that gives background about the tribe and meanings behind the designs being used.


Website + Branding The website is a place to purchase products, and is an important resource for people to learn about the Klamath.




JetBlue Meal Ware Cara Murray and I were challenged with re-designing JetBlue’s current meal ware, because meal ware should be fun.


JetBlue’s Meal Ware Currently jetBlue offers meal boxes, snacks, and fresh plates for their coach riders. Their meal boxes are packaged options while their fresh food is served in standard plastic dishes.


Experience jetBlue JetBlue emphasizes giving their consumers a great experience, though their current meal ware doesn’t reflect the fun attitude of their brand. We wanted to focus on creating a playful form that is lightweight, stackable, easy to transport, and space saving while also representing jetBlue.


Form Sketching focused on the small details of simple forms. We needed to develop forms for bowls, cups, and cutlery. We needed to create a consistent style throughout and we emphasized stack-ability



Final Concept The final design is a series of four bowls sized to stack within each other. The form consists of circles that meet together at a point. The circles are designed to play with jetBlue’s current use of circles in their branding.


Cutlery The cutlery is designed to mimic the geometric form of the bowls and cups by creating a sharp curve in the body of the handle. This curve creates rigidity to the plastic cutlery for strength, and also provides stack ability.


Final Design The final design plays with a series of curves and sharp corners to create a more playful form that JetBlue’s traditional food boxes. The colorful seals ensures freshness of food while mimicking the form through the graphic element.


Color Application + Branding

S

S

P

P S

P


JetBlue An experience that makes flying a little more enjoyable


Aileen Tran aileentran.503@gmail.com tranaileen.com


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