Skills Developed: Fusion 360 modeling, Animation rendering, Keyshot Rendering, Photoshop, User- based thinking
Personal Project | Summer 2023
The Triad Table
A multi-usage, modifiable, space functional, and collaborative work and play desk for elementary aged children.
Concentration challenges are typical in young students. With a relatively short attention span and the massive increase of technology in their everyday lives, the average twenty first century child is bound to find themselves unfocused. Instead of working against this normal stage of cognitive development and the reality of modern tech dependence, the TRIAD table works to support learning and creativity while allowing for healthy collaborative entertainment with their peers.
Meet Lila,
Lila is five years old heading into kindergarten. She is very extroverted. Lila struggles to focus when doing her homework. She needs a space that allows her to converse and collaborate with her classmates, but also gives her room to work without distraction.
Market Research.
Diving into research on children’s work and play desk products. Gathering examples from those products and companies that are leading the market. Noticing what can be added, developed, and improved.
Intent/Inspo.
space funtional
modern
exciting
playful
Ideation.
Beginning with inspiration and setting objectives which then inspired ideation in sizing, layout, and style. Deciding to lower stool height during the design process to fit the average height of elementary aged children and their respective knee height when sitting.
Materiality Research.
Why Plastic?
Researching materials and finding that hardwearing wood, plush fabrics, and plastic to be the most commonly used materials for children’s furniture products. Deciding to move forward with polypropylene plastic due to its lightweight and convenience. Plastic is easy to use for injection molding which allows for easy reuse in mass manufacturing. This would be a relative high cost of tooling (>25,000), however would allow for a high volume of production and number of units (>100,000). The cost of goods would be low, creating both a high profit per unit and estimated total profit. Not only would plastic be great for manufacture, but it can also handle toddler’s rough handling and is low maintenance in comparison to other materials. On top of this, plastic injection molding allows for more vibrant shaping and colorful outcomes, making it a perfect addition to a playful child space.
Final Product.
Working in Fusion 360 to create all components of the table modifications. Including, but not limited to a larger nine seat desk, a smaller three seat desk, the stools and compatible stool storage lids, and the detachable center organizer. All sizing is based on the same measurement pattern for easy modification in production. Models were also animated in fusion. After creating and rendering in Fusion 360, working in Keyshot and photoshop to create in context renders, displaying different color options.
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The dynamic shape of the desk promotes discussion and exploration. Giving every child the perfect amount space to collaborate while working.
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Every aspect of the TRIAD compresses. The top organizer and seats can be taken out. The stool tops are designed to be removable in order to store books, games, etc. Handles and edges have fillets to ensure smooth handling.
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The TRIAD is transformed with stools that easily change location. Additionally, two designed sizes allow for larger groups (aimed for the classroom) and a smaller three stool version (for the home). Colors are also interchangeable.