My next assignment for the class was to create a 2 1/2-dimensional object using a Laser cutter. We were given recommendations for objects to create, such as a laptop/iPad stand, a smartphone for paper prototyping, or something similar. As someone who is very big on the concept of desk organization, I decided to create a phone stand where I could charge my phone while I was working.
This prototype had to meet the following requirements:
Of course, before diving into the prototyping, I created a series of sketches for how I wanted the phone stand to look. The three principles that drove my inspiration were to create an object that was unique, minimalist, and cute enough to keep on my desk when not in use. As seen in the sketches below, I was inspired to create a “star” shaped phone stand, as I felt this style best translated my principles into a design.
Sketching out different iterations of the design made me play around with what the supports may look like on the phone stand. I had to think about what the stand would look like from multiple angles, as well as what parts were necessary for each step of the project.
Image of the different sketches of the star phone stand.
Despite creating multiple sketches of what the phone stand would look like, I could not truly visualize what would be the most appropriate solution to prototype. Thus, I used cardboard to translate my sketches into real life.
After I had created these prototypes in cardboard, I reflected back on the design principles that drove my inspiration and asked myself how each prototype might weigh more heavily over the next. From that, I narrowed down the 3 prototypes into 1 that I moved forward with during the laser-cutting stage.
Image of my three cardboard prototypes. I chose the one in the middle to move forward with.
I used Figma to create the vector lines of my prototype, which I then printed the prototype using a laser cutter. Surprisingly, this was the easiest step in the process of creating the prototype due to my familiarity with Figma’s vector editing tools combined with my prior iterations giving me insight into the exact measurements I need for my phone stand.
Image of the two pieces needed for my phone stand.
With only two pieces that needed to be printed, the laser cutter job only took a few seconds to complete my phone stand design! As mentioned above, creating the cardboard prototypes before diving into laser cutting helped me get exact measurements and I did not need to use extra Flute. In fact, I only ended up using one sheet of Flute to create my prototype.