Reviews of Existing 505 Projects

MakerHub by Remdell Quiambao    

Project Review by Michael Abajian

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Only a few libraries possess makerspaces, and thus many libraries, especially those with computer labs, do not utilize their spaces fully to accommate for further collaboration and cocreation.

PROCEDURE / METHODOLOGY

The goal of this project was to develop a product that gives makes and libraries the flexibility needed to provide and work within a more manageable, creative and collaborative workspace. The research done on libraries and makerspaces was derived from databases, expert feedback, and user surveys. Research centers were used primarily for statistical data.

What worked: The research was organized well and collected from a variety of sources, providing statistics, historical data and professional opinions on the topic. The statistics prove that taking down libraries would heavily impact communities. Libraries are tackling the digital divide by providing free WiFi, digital literacy training and other means of digital support.

What didn’t work: The research portion stated possible sub-problems, but there is no background evidence or descriptions aside from the main title blocks.

What could have been done: I believe a few more highlights and descriptions in some categories would be beneficial for readers not fully aware of this project. Aside from that, I believe the research is very well put together.

HYPOTHESES

The hypotheses for this project were formed assuming and addressing possible solutions to the problem. There were three different hypotheses including opening up spaces in libraries, rearranging lab spaces or furniture and adding other resources. The hypotheses were stated as solutions to the problem, but there is no clear method of testing them.

MAJOR FINDINGS

It was stated that this project addresses two communities one being the users and the other being the public spaces for users. The target solutions partially address the stated hypotheses while maintaining benefits for both the user and the public space.

CONCLUSIONS

The product addresses the stated problems. Assessing the user needs and current market lead the design to an ambitious solution that brings together makers to libraries and encourages libraries to create their own makerspace

APPENDIX

The appendix for this project is very thorough stating all places and labs researched as well as all the survey questions and answers used for research.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, I think this was a great project. All the research is very well organized, the only thing I would add are some descriptions to parts that don’t have any background. The app layout as well as the product itself are very well thought out and the different stages of iteration were shown as well. The graphics are also very well put together, especially the examples showing the application on the phone and in user hands.

Life Outside the Home by Eunyong Shin

Project Review by Michael Abajian

PROBLEM STATEMENT

There are some negligence of senior’s needs in our community. Thus, they have hard time to get all the information that they need.

PROCEDURE / METHODOLOGY

The goal of this project was to design a new city map that includes a “Top aging friendly places to go in San Francisco” for whom are aging and/or have disabilities, including issues with physical mobility and stages of forgetfulness. Research was done through the library, internet searches, surveys and observational research.

What worked: The information is fairly well laid out and some of the key statistics gathered from research are highlighted to guide the reader to the important information. The information gathered from surveys of people is very thorough in analyzing their daily scenarios and identifying the problems.

What didn’t work: There is a lot of research data gathered however it could be better arranged and organized as it is hard to understand some of the significance behind it.

HYPOTHESES

This project contains multiple hypotheses, some formed at different points of the project. This shows the original assumptions and hypotheses that are improved upon following the research. The general purpose of the project remained the same and in line with the original hypothesis. The final hypothesis being that a new pocket sized map would be an effective way to encourage seniors to participate in neighborhoods around San Francisco.

MAJOR FINDINGS

Based on the research focused on family members and care takers and senior citizens who lives in bay area. The current city guide map is not properly designed to meet the needs of seniors. Elderly people should be given better city guide lines and community services to participate in our community. Overall, this map will be good indicators that connect neighborhoods in San Francisco and helpful for seniors to get community supports and services.

CONCLUSION

The feedback from experts and users were generally positive about design concept. A new pocket sized city map would be a good way to put the information into user’s hands. Some users mentioned that some text are difficult to read and there could be improvements to the map. Based on feedback and following up the research the project is a success.

APPENDIX

This project contains a fairly short bibliography of articles used during this project, but does not contain much information to reflect the research collected.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This project addresses an important topic about seniors in the community and aimed to improve their accessibility to information and the community. The research could be a better organized and presented, but all the important information is there. There is also information about the evolving thoughts and ways to address the problem as the project progresses. The project map came out very well and provides a lot of services that the standard map normally wouldn’t contain.

City Cart by Eric Renard and Brandon Lopez

Project Review by Michael Abajian

PROBLEM STATEMENT

The wants and needs of the aging community are not being considered when products are designed and created.

PROCEDURE / METHODOLOGY

Simply put, there exists little to no portable shopping trolleys designed around the wants and needs of the aging population. In addition, current models tend to make shopping feel more like a chore rather than an experience. For this study to succeed, it must lead users to the joy of the shopping experience. The research was gathered from personal interviews, focus groups, and market analysis.

What worked: The layout of the research is very easy to read and includes all the important details such as the demographics of research and the key results of the information gathered. They also include details about products that currently exist and where they can be improved upon.

What didn’t work: I’m a huge fan of this design project and I believe everything is very well put together, my only complaint being that some of the information does get repeated a few times.

HYPOTHESES

The hypothesis for this project was that creating a hybrid mobility aid and shopping assistant could significantly help those in the aging community achieve better overall well-being. They took in research about shopping and how it affects people as well as information about the older community. The single hypothesis was developed using research gathered from various sources and led to further development of this project.

MAJOR FINDINGS

There is a direct relation between shopping and a person’s health and wellbeing. Researching this relationship through personal interviews and testimonies may give rise to a solution to the discovered problem. There exists little to no portable shopping trolleys designed around the wants and needs of the aging population. In addition, current models tend to focus solely on the task of shopping, making it feel more like a chore rather than an experience.

CONCLUSION

The target users have a clear need for a stable, portable, and usable product. The data highlights their specific concerns and how they can be solved. This product went through various phases of iterations through sketches and physical models until a more refined product was fully developed. By following the design process a final solution was created. The concept was refined, tested, and refined further until a final product that fit every need of the user emerged.

APPENDIX

This project contained a short appendix of research information gathered through survey questions from varying sources. There could be a bit more improved upon to add where information came from.