designapalooza’s posterous

I was organizing some documents today when I realized that I have some
thoughts to share about my trusty Acco hole puncher. This device's one
purpose is to create three identical holes of specific size and spacing
relative to one another in paper, for compatible inclusion in standard
3-ring binders. Everyone in society, from students to lawyers to
engineers, inevitably must use a 3-hole puncher at some point
 
My particular Acco puncher's biggest design strengths lie in its
simplicity and intuitive use. The mechanism is very comprehensible (the
hand exerts force on the top plate, which translates this force onto
three identical cylindrical hole cutters, which impart this force onto
the paper). Most of the population would have no problem using it
without explanations.
 
A problem exists with current standard for paper-circle scraps storage -
a rubber piece running along the length of the hole-puncher (usually
itself the base of the device). This is problematic, since it is very
easy to accidentally pull this piece off, resulting in paper pieces all
over the floor, desk, etc.
 
Although one can probably brainstorm and find alternate ways for storing
these paper squares, I believe that unscrewable fasteners at either side
of the base/rubber piece is sufficient. Additionally, this change in
construction could take place while retaining most of the original
design intact (less manufacturing concessions, inexpensive to
implement). Again, I still consider my Acco hole puncher one of my more
useful possessions.

-Wei

I examined a Sunpentown SP-3000 water heater, which is used to heat
water to boiling and to dispense it when needed by a user. This type of
product is a part of everyday life for many who need boiling water, to
make hot chocolate, ramen noodles, coffee, tea, etc. Even as a college
student, I use this device almost every day.
 
There are many positive aspects to this product's design. On the side,
there's a gauge that shows how full the internal basin is, and there's a
convenient handle that allows for portability. The interface is very
intuitive; push the "boil" button, and the device's red LED starts
glowing, and the green LED illuminates instead when the water is at the
right temperature. The water reaches boiling fairly quickly as well
 
Unfortunately, the design is not perfect. It is difficult to clean,
since the basin is permanently fixed to the interior of the water
heater; one must resort to putting the entire heater in a sink and clean
as if it is a cooking pot (which is highly impractical and inconvenient,
seeing as it is an electronic device).
 
I propose a removable inner container, maybe with its own wire handle,
that can be taken out and cleaned without having to needlessly involve
the entire water heater. Other than that, I am satisfied with the water
heater's features and performance.
 
- Wei-Yang Sun

I always buy this packet of deli thin turkey that comes in three different
flavors.
 
The thin slices of turkey are packaged in a ziplock plastic bag. The bag is
resealable so it keeps the turkey fresh even after it is opened. It is also
designed well because there is an even amount of each flavored turkey, and the
fact that there is a combination of flavors means that I only need to buy one
packet.
 
However, what really annoys me about this packaging is the fact that first of
all, all the slices of turkey are piled next to each other, so it is difficult
to tell where the other flavored turkey slices start (there is no set mark or
separator that indicates which slices are the smoked, which are the honey
roasted etc). So sometimes I eat the wrong turkey.
Another thing that annoys me is that because the turkey is packed sideways, they
stick to each other and it is hard to remove them from the package. They are
also very thin, so it is almost impossible to pick just one slice without
ripping it. So I usually end up taking two slices instead.
 
If I could change it, I would put separators in the bag, and make one whole side
of the package open rather than just a slot in the top.

-Iman

While traveling in China this summer, this baby never left my side.  It is thin, durable, and discreet.  But most importantly, it kept my money/passport/tickets safe!  The waist belt is elastic and adjustable and includes an ultra-thin, quick release buckle.  The backing of the pouch is soft and sweat-proof.  Overall, great design!

   

Click here to download:

A_traveling_must-have_the_mone.zip (76 KB)

Here are some reasons why I worship this tote bag.

1. It is made of a durable nylon material that doesn't show wear.
2. The wide shoulder straps are strong yet comfortable, and long enough so you can wear it over a coat.
3. There are multiple zippers/pockets on the exterior to keep small items easily accessible
4. The interior is lined with waterproof material.
5.  Inside is a tethered key holder with a button release.  I never have to dig around for keys again!
6. A hidden fleece lined pocket on the side.  I use this to keep my drinks cold/hot.
7. It is affordable!  I bought it on sale for ten bucks :)

   

Click here to download:

The_perfect_tote_bag.zip (76 KB)

This power strip allows for multiple uses and 8 while taking up minimal
space. The design raises the middle of the strip which allows for more than
the standard 6 plugs that are too close together to allow for larger plugs.
The strip also includes connections for network cables and the strip can
also be turned so that you can's see most of the plugs, hiding the ugly
wiring. My one complaint is that there are only plugs on one side of the
middle divider. I would change the design by adding additional layers
vertically and plugs on the opposite side. I also would add multiple usb
ports rather than the network cables. Sarah Southerland

     

Click here to download:

power_strip.zip (6919 KB)

It's designed to allow anyone to render an object or building in
cad. Sketch up is a free program so it allows anyone to learn basic cad. The
tool bar is simple to master with buttons that look like their actions. The
website has a wide range of free objects designed by other users which cuts
the time of rendering a larger project but are hard to modify to your
specifications. Sketch up allows you to easily modify objects by physically
changing them with the mouse rather than typing in dimensions into another
screen. But at the same time sketch up does not recognized a group of lines
as a distinguishable item unless you link them and name them that or
download a chair or table from the website. Because of this, you can
accidentally delete one line of a chair and multiple sides of the rendering
disappear until you can isolate the problem. Another problem is that the
program often gets confused when two lines intersect and breaks the plane in
strange ways making it flicker. Sketch Up also allows you to place your
buildings on a specific location on Google earth.
 
Sarah Southerland

Name:

Kevin Rustagi

What is the 'thing' you are observing?

 1975 Corvette  

What is the purpose of it?

The purpose of a 1975 Corvette is to be awesome.  With my ultimate dream car, does there really need to be a purpose?  All right.  I guess it can take you from point A to point B.  I guess you could also pick up girls with it, or if you're a girl, pick up guys.

How is it a part of one's everyday life?

It's part of one's everyday life in that if you'd drive it, it'd be awesome to drive in style.  Dream cars are sleek hotrods plus sunny days.  You do the math.   

How is it designed well?

It's designed well in almost every way.  Objective, I know.  Realistically, it has 350 horsepower under the hood, drives low to the ground for great handling.  It has dual side air intakes to pump extra oxygen into that wonderful engine.  The hallmark of American muscle, it also comes with an option to remove the roof panels.  The symmetry of its design is just classic.  The curves are just killer, too.  Lastly, it comes with a sweet black leather interior.  Need I say more?   

How is it designed not so well?

It's not.  OK, well maybe the convertible option could be a bit easier, and the car's internal engine systems could last a little bit longer.  But other than that, it's perfect in every way.

What improvements would you make?

This car cannot be improved upon, but I might put an air intake on the hood, and a tape cassette adaptor for an MP3 player in it.

Anything else?

The only other improvement I can think of is for me to own this car.  Simply put, this is my dream car.  If you don't like this car or feel differently, I'm sorry you feel this way, but to me, this is the best car that ever was, and I will some day possess it.  For now, I will just have to drool all over my computer.

email address

            rustagi@mit.edu

       

Click here to download:

1975_Red_Corvette_Convertible_.zip (397 KB)

Name:

Kevin Rustagi

What is the 'thing' you are observing?

 FedEx Drop Off Box  

What is the purpose of it?

The purpose of a FedEx drop off box is to service as a place to drop off FedEx packages as well as let someone know whether or not the packages have been picked up.

How is it a part of one's everyday life?

It's is where you drop off FedEx packages easily, and it serves as a localized, specific drop point for FedEx packages.   

How is it designed well?

It is designed well especially in its user interface, which very specifically details when the normal pickup times are and with a simple color dial whether or not the pickup has or has not occurred.  It also contains packing supplies and a very easy to read holiday schedule which is very clear.  This is due to the font selection, varying colors and overall layout.

How is it designed not so well?

            It is size is limited to a certain size package.   

What improvements would you make?

I would make it larger and perhaps with a system that eased the packages to send into the container.   

Anything else?

The user interface for denoting whether or not packages had or hadn't shipped was much clearer than the DHL box sitting next to it.

email address

            rustagi@mit.edu

     

Click here to download:

FedEx_Drop_Off_Box.zip (1122 KB)

Name:

Kevin Rustagi

What is the 'thing' you are observing?

The Clapper    

What is the purpose of it?

            The purpose of a clapper is to turn on and off lights with a few claps .

How is it a part of one's everyday life?

It is part of one's everyday life in that if you have it hooked up to one of your lights it can be either a party trick or actually useful to lazy people.   

How is it designed well?

It is designed well in that it does what it says most of the time and can turn the lights on and off, as long as one knows how to use it.  It also has a dial for sensitivity and a switch between two modes, two claps and three claps for the number of claps required to turn on and off the light.

How is it designed not so well?

It is designed not so well in that your claps must be of a certain frequency, a certain time apart and there must not be any other noise while you are clapping the lights on and off, making it a very specific process.

What improvements would you make?

I would make the clapper much more intuitive and digitally based.  Right now it's a computer process called a state machine which is a very simplistic computer design.  The clapper should work for two claps in most any way that you can make them.

Anything else?

It's really fun for parties in that it becomes a contest to turn on and off the lights and there's actually some game aspect to it.

email address

            rustagi@mit.edu