Author Archives: Veronika

About Veronika

I am a senior studying Finance and ISIT, and am working full time as a Consulting Analyst following my graduation. In my free time, I enjoy photography, reading novels, cooking, and running.

e-Portfolio: The End of the Beginning

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When I first walked through the doors of the MakerLab in late January, my expectations were limited only by the farthest reaches of my imagination. I was vaguely familiar with some of the recent applications of such technologies in modern society, particularly those of a medical nature based on my parents professions, but truly had very little background or context for the subject as a whole. Little did I know that this exact mentality acts at the definition, or lack thereof, of the entire maker movement. The ideology behind 3D making is founded in this approach of creating regardless of traditional boundaries or barriers. Therefore, in the early steps of the process, the only true limits that one encounters as a creator are our own predispositions and what we believe is and is not possible.

We explored this mindset through a series of creative exercises with representatives from the UIUC chapter of Design for America, a session which afforded me a new outlook on the ideating process. Through a variety of untraditional scenario prompts, we were asked to innovate freely, without binding ourselves to what we know as feasible or even remotely possible. Although many of the products that resulted would likely never succeed in the market if they were indeed even able to be produced, it was our first introduction to the type of mindset necessary in order to break down the mental boundaries that prevent even the smartest individuals from acting as true inventors. This translated well into our next lecture, where we were introduced to the concept of biohacking – I had never even imagined many of the projects before, and was fascinated by the idea of utilizing organic materials to create everyday products in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly fashion.

After harnessing the true power and breadth of the maker movement through these various presentations and experiences, we then began to take a more hands on approach to innovating, as we learned how to implement Arduinos, coding, soldering, and laser engraving to create interactive wooden boxes that we designed and compiled individually, with the help of the Champaign Urbana Fab Lab staff. These sessions were my favorite part of the course, as they not only afforded me new skills (ones which I admittedly may not have pursued on my own) but introduced many simple yet effective ways in which they could be implemented in one’s daily life, both as a maker and otherwise. Although the product that my team created did not have any practical application for these particular skills, they are certainly ones that I would like to further develop on my own time (especially soldering.) Finally, we were introduced to the capabilities of 3D scanning by Arielle, a former student who has been able to utilize this technology in her own business, one which she started based on her final project for the course. The ability to scan opens up a new dimension to iterative creating and also improves one’s ability to make slight adjustments to a pre-existing physical item.

The final leg of the course was devoted to the development of our team projects, during which time my team, SUPRA, developed a new take on a door jar (inspired by the constant disruptions during our class sessions that result from the heavy, auto-locking doors on the MakerLab.) Although the concept behind our product was simple, we went through several iterations of designing and prototyping before coming to our final model. One unexpected twists from my perspective was the importance of material selection – a design can be completely faultless, but a product can still fail if the selected material is not compliant with the function it needs to serve. In our case, we encountered issues both functionally and aesthetically when using the normal plastic from the 3D printers, as it was too brittle for our needs. For this reason, a portion of our final design was printed using flex, a decision that greatly improved the quality and performance of our product.

Overall, my experience in the course was eye-opening, and left me with the vaguest sense of dissatisfaction – not with the course, but with myself, for not accomplishing more throughout the course of the semester. With such amazing and innovative technologies at my fingertips, I wish I did not have to deal with time, financial, and other types of constraints that have prevented me from what I otherwise may have been able to create. I am so excited to be working for a company next year that not only has access to similar technologies, but utilizes them to implement creative business solutions each and every day. From where I stand now, I can see that this course has only been the beginning – I hope that it serves as a springboard into a career where I can constantly challenge myself to utilize these technologies in new and innovative ways to provide solutions that did not exist before.

Prototype Testing: The Breaking Point

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After our abrupt change in product and design last week, we used the time between classes to rethink and design our door stopper in order to have a prototype ready for print by this week’s session. After debating several designs of various operations and complexities, we settled upon a simple sliding motion. Although the majority of the session was waiting for it to print (we elected to print the prototype as a scaled down version in light density to be economical with resources), we were able to execute several tests once the printing and assembly process was complete.
We used the doors in the lab, as they are relatively heavy and have a tendency to slam; they also are auto-locking, and therefore would be one example of a place in which our product would be put to use. Since we have not yet decided upon the best way to fix our door stopper to said door, I held it against the door for each of the trials, attempting not to interfere too much with the velocity of the door. Despite its lesser size and low density, our design held up quite well. Ben wanted to test how much pressure it could withstand, so he began to place more and more pressure on the door – moral of the story: our door stop cannot withstand Ben Chin’s entire body weight being thrown against the door.
Moving forward, we plan on printing our door stop on a larger scale (about 2x larger) to spread pressure out and prevent snapping from a concentrated pressure point. Furthermore, we are going to add a piece in order to prevent the sliding piece from sliding entirely out of the bracket, as was possible in the original prototype (this could result in loss of the sliding piece, as it is not fixed to the rest of the product.) We are excited about this next edition, and hope that it will prove a solid base for our final product.

3D Scanning: Changing the World We Know

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Flexibility. Throughout the entirety of the course, we have discussed how vital this mindset is to 3D making, and creating as a whole. Although it is easy to self-describe as agile and open to change, our group’s true flexibility was put to the test over the past two weeks as it became apparent that our original product and design were not viable for the purposes of this project. And thus, after weeks of brainstorming and continually redefining our version of a trash compactor, we scrapped the entire concept, and began to design a new take on a door prop (a product inspired by the auto-locking doors on our classroom, which have resulted in many lock-outs during class time.)

During the first portion of class, we were exposed to the capabilities of 3D scanning, as demonstrated by Arielle and Meshmixer software. This software proved extremely useful for duplicating and tweaking complex designs that would otherwise be difficult to recreate. As we began to consider the requirements of our particular product, we decided that we would not need to utilize this, as our product will have a simple, geometric design that will prove relatively simple to recreate from scratch. However, learning about this particular technology truly sparked my interest with regard to the real-world applications of such a product. Upon further research, I discovered that there are immense forensic implications of these developments, including a fascinating article about the use of 3D scanning technologies to examine a sunken vessel in British Columbia and determine the cause of the wreck.  Furthermore, Microsoft has begun developing a mobile application that will allow users to quickly scan and export images of items, the usages of which will range from functional business purposes to amateur artistic endeavors.

The real-world implications of being able to scan an item, create a digitized replica of it, and then alter that replica before printing it back into a 3D, physical representation are going to be widespread and life-changing. Throughout the course of the class, I have taken especial interest in the medical implications of the technologies we explore, and recently wrote an individual piece about recent medical advances in the realm of 3D printing. I believe that advanced 3D scanning abilities will further the abilities of doctors and other medical professionals in their research and solutions. This is just a small slice of the wide reaching implications;  I truly believe this technology will forever change the world we live in.

Beautiful and Terrifying: 3D Printing in Medecine

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“3D printing will rock the world.” This phrase is becoming increasingly prevalent, and even mainstream, in today’s society. We are instructed to imagine a world in which we can produce a coffee mug where, mere moments before, stood just a printer and ink. A world in which we can transform digital images into physical realities virtually instantaneously. A world in which traditional boundaries are challenged, disrupted, destroyed. We tend to project this new realm of possibility in the context of the products sector; it is only natural that we are inclined to envision all of the new things we can acquire through these advances.

Yet the implications of 3D printing technologies expand far beyond the increased satisfaction of global consumers; they are redefining life itself, starting at the molecular level. The application of 3D printing began at a simple level, with commonplace products such as Invisalign and hearing aids being produced at an increasingly personalized level and reduced cost. As capabilities increased with each iteration of the technology, so did the medical applications that it could be applied to. Soon, prosthetics became a heavy focus of the industry; historically expensive and oftentimes ill-fitting, the ability to custom produce per customer revolutionized the lives of many users.

This particular advancement was especially pertinent to children, who are constantly growing and therefore require frequently updated prostheses. This proves to be an immense financial burden for families and, in many places, can even prevent the individual from receiving the required prosthetic. However, makers around the world have devoted themselves to harnessing the available technologies in order to increase accessibility to the proper production and training. Organizations such as Project Daniel and Enabling the Future utilize crowdsourcing to refine their open source designs and provide the best product possible at an affordable price.

This movement has proven especially impactful in regions where violence is prevalent and many young people who have lost limbs have traditionally lacked access to proper prosthetics, therefore hindering their ability to function at their full physical capacity. And now, as medical professionals begin to harness technologies that will utilize live tissues in order to resolve a wide spectrum of medical issues, this ideology will be taken to the next level. However, this proves to be no easy feat. The success of such endeavors relies entirely upon the ability to keep the tissues alive as the implants are developed; they even contain blood vessels and nerves.

Described as “a goose that really does lay golden eggs,” this new advance in the world of transplants and implants will address the prevalent issue of rejection. Oftentimes, patients receiving a foreign organ run the risk of severe medical complications if their body rejects the new part. Printing using one’s own cells essentially mitigates this risk, as the body will no longer process the new addition as being an “outsider.” This will also decrease the need for patients to take immunosuppressants when receiving said procedures, therefore decreasing risk of outside infections or viruses from wreaking havoc on their immune systems in their repressed states. From an economics perspective, these technologies are also capitalizing on a market that is in a constant state of shortage; the demand for organs nearly always exceeds the number of donations available, therefore making the process incredibly competitive and, in some cases, a matter of life and death.

However, this ethical sword is indubitably double-edged. Increasing the number of transplants available, and arguably increasing the quality of those received, resolves the age-old issue of assigning priority to transplant requests. For example, one’s age will hopefully no longer play a deciding role in whether or not a patient is granted the organ that will extend their lifespan. Despite this obvious upside, the new capabilities of these technologies also invite in the same desires and conflicts of interest that have been discussed in the context of genetics and designer babies.

Cosmetic surgeries have been a long-standing part of society, with individuals refining and redesigning aspects of themselves to better portray their vision of “beauty.” In recent years, genetics have allowed parents to elect (or discard) certain genes that may make their children prone to certain traits or medical conditions. This is a heavily debated ethical issue, and has been the center of heated controversy over the past few years. If people are willing to go to such lengths to increase the chances of their child having a certain hair color or proclivity to sports, I can only imagine the excitement that being able to redesign certain parts of themselves from scratch would generate. How far will they be willing to go? And at what point, if any, will it be society’s job to say “enough?” Although these technologies are still in their beta stages, I can only imagine the directions they might take if left to the demands of society. Will there be full facial transplants for those who simply wish to portray classic beauty? New sets of legs for those who wish to run faster?
We now hold the key to something beautiful and terrible; with unbridled potential at our fingertips, it is more important now than ever to delineate between needs and wants, those uses that are for the betterment of society and those that are superfluous to its progression. It is our responsibility to understand the power that we possess, and to move forward with both curiosity and caution so not to allot this great potential in a less than responsible manner.

 

Birrell, Ian. “3D-printed prosthetic limbs: the next revolution in medicine.” The Observer. Guardian News and Media, 19 Feb. 2017. Web. 02 Apr. 2017.

Gallagher, James. “Doctors 3D-print ‘living’ body parts.” BBC News. BBC, 16 Feb. 2016. Web. 02 Apr. 2017.

Mellgard, Peter. “Medical 3-D Printing Will ‘Enable a New Kind of Future'” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 22 Apr. 2015. Web. 02 Apr. 2017.

Shaer, Matthew. “Soon, Your Doctor Could Print a Human Organ on Demand.” Smithsonian.com. Smithsonian Institution, 01 May 2015. Web. 02 Apr. 2017.

Final Touches: Laser Engraving

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During our final session in the Champaign Urbana Fab Lab, I had the opportunity to create a digital design of a 3D box utilizing the software Inkscape before laser printing said design onto a sheet of wood. As I immensely enjoy graphic design and have spent a great deal of time working in Adobe Photoshop, this process was relatively familiar to me, and therefore was by far the easiest station out of our three sessions. For me, the hardest portion of the process was actually assembling the box itself, once each of the six faces had been designed and cut by the laser. My first mistake was not paying attention to which designs I placed on which faces (assuming they could be assembled in any fashion, which proved otherwise.) Therefore, my favorite face on the box ended up serving as the base, and the side I left blank to serve as the base functioned as a visible side. However, this acted as a valuable lesson for future use of such templates!

I believe that the laser printing capabilities will likely contribute most to our final project from an aesthetic perspective. While our product will likely rely more heavily on 3D printing, mechanics, and (if implemented) the soldering and programming for LED lights, laser engraving could be useful for adding small adjustments, such as a patterned design or engraved logo on the plastic. In the grand scheme of things, I find these skills very useful in a variety of purposes, both functionally and artistically – the ability to create digital designs and transmit them perfectly onto a plethora of materials is one that enables the maker to exact the appearance of their creation, and increases the flexibility and efficiency of the creation process.

I was intrigued as to what limitations exist with regard to laser imaging; I assumed that cloth would present problems due to the high temperature required to impart designs on the material. However, this fascinating article by Joe Sylvester discusses the process that allows a uniform factory to laser designs onto various fabrics at temperatures of up to 400 degrees. Furthermore, I discovered this infographic discussing the possibilities for individuals to run home businesses through use of laser engravers – this ties back to the utility of such a machine for artists or others who create in their own spaces. Finally, I happened upon a new technology known as the “Snapmaker”, a Kickstarter invention that combines the technologies of 3D printing, laser engraving, and CNC carving. This machine, offered for a mere $299, could revolutionize the 3D making process in combining three highly utilized technologies at such a low price. This aids the mission to make 3D making accessible to the public in a way it previously has not been, and to encourage individual creativity in many forms. Overall, I have loved my time in the CU Fab Lab, and look forward to returning as we finalize our project.

Soldering: An Art of Trial and Error

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Trial and error: the phrase that best describes my experience during our second session in the Fab Lab.  After our work with red boards and coding during Week 6, my group progressed to the soldering station to create circuits sans red boards. Before beginning, we were warned that the day’s activities would vastly increase our appreciation for the simplicity of the red board systems; this held entirely true. As an incredibly impatient perfectionist, this activity tried my ability to make repeated attempts to complete a single step of the project. However, the sometimes-tedious nature of soldering did not bother me in the way I expected; rather, I really enjoyed the process! It was perhaps my favorite skill we have learned in the course thus far due to the hands on nature, and the fact that you can test and check your physical progress as you move from stage to stage.

The soldering station and my relative success in the activity inspired me to incorporate a new aspect into our garbage condenser – an LED sensor that lights up when the trash cannot be further compacted or pushed down in the bin, therefore indicating “full.” I think this will both incorporate another useful technology and create added value for the consumer, as the product will have dual functionality. Furthermore, I feel as though this sets our product apart from other products on the market as well as “DIY” alternatives, as it is more technologically advanced – an upgrade that is important to many consumer groups in an increasingly digital world. I hope that, in improved my soldering skills and combining with the other abilities we have developed throughout the course, my group is able to develop an effective product that can accomplish the desired task in the simplest way possible.

While I will not be participating in the soldering station during our next course in the Fab Lab, I hope to take time outside of class to assess the best possible way to include a soldered LED circuit and code in our product in order to enhance its functionality. In conducting outside research, I found a very useful tutorial that instructs one on how to code an LED Arduino to blink at one second intervals (which I think would work well as a “full” trash alert.) Furthermore, I performed a bit of industry analysis to see what products are currently on the market – none incorporated technology in such a way, making our product both unique and advanced in this niche market. See here for one comparable offering on Amazon. 

Old Problems, New Perspectives

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Thus far, our coursework has introduced us to the various technologies and processes at our disposal as we begin our journeys as 3D makers. This week’s content encouraged us to engage all we have learned about the ideating process, as we began developing potential ideas for our final projects. Our brainstorming session was entirely focused upon identifying a need (or a problem to solve), and then developing a solution; we were to avoid immediately deciding upon a product, as this would streamline our thinking at too early of a stage. This concept of total freedom and creativity was introduced in “Creative Sparks”, which discussed the infrastructure necessary to effectively brainstorm.  It also ensures that the product or service at hand will fulfill a real need or provide a solution to a problem existing in the real world, as discussed in “Ten Ways to Evaluate a New Business Idea.” These articles provide an excellent framework to consider when pursuing a given idea, and serve as excellent guidelines for developing a product that will translate to real world success.

This approach is crucial when partaking in any sort of creative brainstorming process. In Mary Barbour’s “Better Content Ideation Through Lateral Thinking”, she discusses the importance of being able to approach age-old problems from a new perspective. It is this ability that distinguishes innovators from the rest of the population; one does not need to be presented with a new problem in order to develop a unique solution. One of my favorite takeaways from this article was the point that sometimes the most effective way to brainstorm is to identify the most obvious ways to proceed when faced with an issue, and then ask oneself how to proceed if those options were not viable. This helps structure the ideating process. Dorie Clark’s “How to Think Like An Innovator” brings these ideas into context on a more personal level, urging you to assess your own strengths and weaknesses when developing a concept (this idea was prominent in our assigned readings for the week.) Finally, Clark encourages assessing from both an industry perspective (perhaps through a SWOT analysis) as well as considering the opinions of specialists far removed from the industry; this provides an accurate depiction of the product’s role from both an internal and external perspective.

I now have a much stronger understanding of what questions I should be asking myself as my group and I being to refine our ideas, and define exactly how our product will function. These articles brought up issues that we did not consider in our initial brainstorming sessions, and therefore will overturn some of our previous assumptions. For example, Clark highlights “What trend is most threatening to your industry right now?” as crucial question to consider. When developing our idea of a contraption that can be attached to trash cans in order to compact and push down trash; in doing so, a household can reduce the number of trash bags they go through in a given amount of time. While this has financial incentive for students such as ourselves, one of the largest threats to the plastic goods industry is the environmental impacts – therefore, we can market this product as an environmentally friendly option, and tap into a large demographic of customers that may previously have been less interested in our product. In summary, these lessons have been formative in how I approach product development and creative thinking.

Harnessing the Powerful Tools At Our Disposal

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Diving into Fusion 360 during this week’s class session was not unlike jumping into the deep end of the swimming pool in an attempt to learn how to swim; needless to say, there was initially quite a bit of floundering. Over the course of two and a half hours, Jeff walked us through the various functionalities of the program in a hands on demonstration that gradually built our comfortability and proficiency in the software.  We were exposed to far more advanced capabilities than we had previously been able to utilize in Tinkercad, which will permit us to develop far more sophisticated designs and products moving forward in the class. We were also exposed to the extremely fascinating prospects of biohacking, an initiative that is being led by Dot Silverman at the Fab Lab in Champaign. The use of these natural materials in lieu of traditional plastics, fabrics, etc. in production present a new element to consider when developing our capstone projects for the course.

Both portions of this class were equally important in the development of our final projects. Our work with Fusion 360 afforded us a basic level of skill in the software that we can utilize and continue to expand upon in our efforts to design our products. Without this basic level of knowledge, we would lack the fundamentals necessary to execute certain concepts. Dot’s presentation was pivotal, as it encouraged us to consider the materials that will be required to produce our designs, and the various implications of material choice. The biohacking movement is pivotal in the world of 3D making, as environmental concerns are at the forefront of issues facing production of all varieties, traditional and otherwise, in today’s society. If able to harness the technologies devised through this movement on a large scale, the standards for materials utilized in production could be revolutionized.

With my newfound knowledge, I plan to sharpen my skills in Fusion 360 in order to capitalize on all the program has to offer, and to ensure that I have a solid foundation with which to go about developing my product once we finish the brainstorming stage. While it is difficult to discern whether the biohacking aspect of 3D making will fit well with my team’s product until our design is better defined, I would love to explore this concept more. I am fascinated by the idea of utilizing biodegradable materials for short term and/or disposable products, such as packaging. I believe that creating a design that aligns with sustainability efforts is crucial to a product’s longevity and ability to best serve the community. Furthermore, it will be important to understand the interaction between the Fusion 360 design and the material selected; for example, I will need to consider whether, if selected, a biodegradable material has any restrictions or limitations as to which designs it can be implemented in.

Overall, this week’s instruction provided clarity on several powerful tools that are at our disposal moving forward in this design process. I was able to scratch the surface of these resources while replicating a side table lamp from my apartment, as per Jeff’s instruction as the conclusion of our last class. While I struggled at first, as I hadn’t used the software in several days, I eventually became much more comfortable, and was able to create this design utilizing Fusion 360.

Ideating without Boundaries

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Limitless. This word accurately depicts the nature of our class session this week, where we participated in a lab led by the UIUC chapter of Design for America. Through a series of exercises, we were exposed to the processes and mindset behind ideation from a designer’s perspective. Our primary learning tools were, to say the least, unconventional, ranging from Play-Doh to markers to card games. In each exercise, we were presented with a broad scenario, goal, and set of constraints, and asked to invent a solution. We were not confined to products that could be plausibly produced and implemented today, which is a key piece of initial ideated, as referenced in Professor Sachdev’s video, “An Introduction to Design Thinking.” One must not limit oneself to what is seen as “possible” in the eyes of the public. The result of such an environment was a series of products that expanded upon current solutions with innovative and creative new ideas. Many defined what may be considered technologically plausible in today’s world, yet set a new precedent for the complexity of solutions we can work towards as makers.

This activity challenged the mindset that I have entered the course with. Up until this point, I have explored the cutting edge developments going on in 3D making around the world, and used those as the boundaries within which I can create. I have defined them, to some extent, as the resource pool at my disposal. This mindset entirely contradicts the process of ideation, and the mindset of designers as a whole. As discussed in Brown’s “Design Thinking”, designers are no longer restricted to downstream activities in product development; they have become increasingly instrumental in end-to-end development of products, starting with the earliest steps.  This mentality will be formative in my career as a digital consultant; solutions are not limited to those that have previously been tested and implemented. They do not even need to be a slight adjustment to a previous solution. Sometimes, the best course of action is to start with a blank slate and create a new, boundary-breaking solution that is a unique fit for the problem at hand.

Moving forward, I will carry this mindset with me in many capacities. As an amateur designer, I will begin to create based on real-world needs and desires that I identify, and produce products that are unique solutions to said issues. I already had the opportunity to put this new approach into practice when designing my team’s logo in Tinkercad. Instead of opting for a simple design, or a minor adjustment to a pre-made design, we designed a relatively complex 3D dice, complete with imprinting on five of the six sides. While this was a bold decision, as we were just learning the technology, our finished project turned out wonderfully. In pushing the limits, we also expanded our own capabilities, and built skills for future creations. While this approach easily could have backfired, I learned that there is a valuable balance between complacency and pushing one’s limits – if struck, creating at this level immensely benefits the learning curve.

Brown, Tim. 2015. “Design Thinking.” Harvard Business Review. Accessed February 12. https://hbr.org/2008/06/design-thinking

Professor Sachdev’s videos. Click here.

Week 2 Reflection: Learning by Making and Sharing

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This week’s class was devoted to building an understanding of the various resources available in the world of 3D making, from the ideating process through actual production and distribution of the finished product. Making these resources accessible to a larger population is increasingly important as 3D making starts to play a role in all walks of life, from retail shopping to open heart surgeries. These new capacities are constantly furthered and redefined as more minds join the making movement; continuing this constant innovation is crucial, as Gershenfeld discusses in “How To Make Almost Anything.” We have been introduced to these resources in various capacities; the first of these platforms was an in-class presentation from the Champaign-Urbana Fab Lab, which provides opportunities for the public to learn about and gain hands on experience with 3D making. This lab and others like it are crucial to the mission of digital making: they promote building of these skill sets, and help increase access to these technologies for the general population. In doing so, they aid the transformation of education, as Dougherty discusses in “The Maker Mindset.”

This mission has been carried out across the web as well, as explored on sites such as Shapeways and Thingiverse. These sites accommodate makers of all experience levels, and provide various ways for individuals to engage to whatever degree they feel comfortable. For example, Shapeways provides free app downloads that guide beginners through a step-by-step tutorial to designing common items, such as key chains and ornaments. They also provide tools that scan and analyze completed designs to ensure all specifications and elements of the design are sound before production takes place. Finally, Shapeways provides the opportunity for makers to upload designs, and have the final products delivered to their doorstep; they also offer a marketplace where makers can sell their designs to the public.

Similarly, Thingiverse provides free downloads of designs for those who are new to making, and would like to download a preset design to print at an on-site 3D printer – a process we engaged in at the end of class, where I elected to create an Eiffel Tower keychain to commemorate my semester abroad in Paris. The designs available range a wide variety of complexities and purposes. A few of my personal favorites are the following:

Pug Headphone Wrap This provides a way to keep headphones from tangling when they’re thrown in the bottom of a bag. I chose this design because I think the piece is large enough that it will not get lost in my purse; I also think the pug design is cute and very unique. To improve the design, I would add a clip of some sort to the back, so that you could clip the pug onto a pocket inside a bag or backpack for easy access and organization. Click here.

iPhone Car Holder  This holder would be a great way to temporarily mount my iPhone in my car when utilizing Spotify and Google Maps for instructions. I chose this design because it is lightweight and does not require permanent mounting on the dashboard/windshield, so it can be removed when not in use. I would have to ensure that the sizing specs are aligned to my car, a Honda Pilot, so that it would attach to the vent on my dashboard. Click here.

iPhone Charger Shelf  This shelf would be a great asset in scenarios where you need to charge your phone in an outlet not near a table/ledge. I selected this design because putting my phone on the ground always worries me, as someone might step on it, so this would resolve that issue. I do not anticipate making any adjustments, as I have an iPhone 6, which the device is sized for. Click here.

Knife Block  This device would come in very handy in organizing the knives in our kitchen. My apartment has a silverware drawer, but no knife block, and as a result, our sharp knives are all jumbled in a drawer, presenting a safety hazard. This block is simple and would fit in a drawer or on a counter, and would help us stay organized (and safe.) I would adjust the design to accommodate blades of different widths/lengths as well. Click here.

In conclusion, during this class session, we explored the start-to-finish process of selecting a design, making adjustments to the template, and going through the actual process of printing, all while utilizing and building an understanding of the tools at our disposal.