2014
2014
2020
PROJECTS
Bits 'n Box
A university project which focused on the design of an educational plastic product.
The product was to be innovative in the way it stimulated creativity and fun.
Sustainability had to be taken into consideration.
2014
Bits 'n box 3D model in context
Technical skills
- SolidWorks
- 3D printing
- manufacturing methods
- material research
soft skills
- user research
- presentation skills
modularity and storage
The “Bits ‘n Box” is a safe toy kids can play with, personalise and push their creative boundaries with, while learning a the same time. The product gives a series of possibilities which change with their age.
Every component can be moved and removed. You can personalise it (ie.: with drawings). Kids can learn the concept of units, tens, hundreds and use it as table, study on. Parents can use it as storage or can flat pack it and store it.
left open box, right box with desk component
box with storage component, to store toys and more
building units
Four main building units. The main frame components (light blue), have cylindrical shape with 2 different diameters. They fit into the corner units which have 3 holes as deep as the main frame extra section. The 1/4 Frame uses an interference fit to click onto the main frame component and can rotate 360º. The 1/8 frame are fixed inside the 1/4 frames thanks to magnets.
sls prints
prototyping
3D printed model of the product. Using different colors of ABS filament. To obtain the correct measures in the CAD model and know what they should be.
wood and acrylic
prototyping
Various sizes were made for the boxes, and the boxes built and tested on kids/students of different sizes.
Wooden frame box to simulate box. Colored in a possible color and with the laser components to fit and user test.
For size and feel in hand, the parts were laser cut. This gave more understanding on whether they should clip into each other or just hold together without clips.
Sketches from the exploration of the different components
target user
Kids love playing with boxes! A main user profile was identified and how he/she evolves in time.
The product spans through the years (2-8yo):
babies (familiarise themselves with different objects), toddlers (experiment with materials), young kids (symbolic play, solve problems through play) and older kids (use it as table and for storage).
The 'Bits 'n box' in context outdoors and indoors
initial IDEA generation
Based on the initial ideas and feedback from the kids, a series of possible concepts were drawn out and were then analysed against key requirements for the brief and the users.
