Basis

Project Overview

Create a promotional product that represents APDesign and can be produced in-house.

6 Weeks

Individual Project

Spring 2025

Basis organization System

Research

APDesign:

Every student goes through the first year course ENVD where utility knives are used frequently.
Most students lose the cap to their utility knives and also do not use the blade disposal because it is more convenient to stick blades into foamcore while working on a project.
Many scrap materials are left in the shop and can be utilized for in house production.
While exploring materials I found various types of foam. The grey acoustic foam held up well to blades piercing it and held them in place too.

four images of materials used to create Basis Organization System

How can we create a product produced in house for current, prospective, and graduated students that represents APDesign, is customizeable, and utilizes scrap materials?


Concept + Ideation

Wooden blocks and a desk with the words 'fun', 'simple', and 'sophisticated'
Sketches of potential basis organization designs

How can we create a product that affords safety and convenience for model building and everyday design work?

Prototypes

Prototyping

How deep should pockets be to lift sticky notes and writing/cutting utensils?

What kind of tolerance and shape is needed for the best alignment and fit?

How should the 3D printed files be designed to prevent breakage and print well?

Wooden prototypes of Basis organization

Fabrication

The plywood base was CNC cut and then chiseled out of the material. They were sanded, routed, and applied wipe-on polyeurathane to finish.

The acoustic foam had to be hand cut on the bandsaw.

Jade working with CNC machines to create plywood base

Final Design Solution

hands cutting cardboard with exacto knife

CUT

Cover exacto knives and store new blades or temporarily rest dull ones.

drawing of one orientation for Basis organization
hands writing on paper with pencil

RECORD

Store sticky notes and writing utensils.

drawing of another orientation for Basis organization
hands assembling Basis organization horizontally

ORGANIZE

Easily align and configure to suit your needs.

drawing of how Basis organization can be rearranged modularly
hands assembling Basis organization vertically

BUILD

Add covers, additions, and even build again with legos.

drawing of how Basis organization pieces fit together vertically
pieces of Basis organization laid out on table