Re-imagined Phone Holder
Ethnographic Research
- The phone holder was invented for convenience, it allows easy mounting and access to a mobile phone (1970s)
- The first drone was made for war purposes (mid 1850s)
- Drones are used for various functions, including monitoring climate change, delivering goods, aiding and rescue operations, and filming and photography
- It is easier to watch content, operate the device and keeps the phone safe and clean as it is situated in one spot
- Drones are made from carbon fibre composites
- Phone holders are generally made from hard plastic
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). (2020). Hexcel.com. https://www.hexcel.com/Resources/UAV#:~:text=Today%2C%20almost%20all%20UAV%20structures
Wikipedia Contributors. (2019, January 24). Martin Cooper (inventor). Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Cooper_(inventor)
Interview/ Transcript
Designer- Hi! Is it okay for me to ask you a few questions about yourself for my assessment?
User- Hello, yes you are more that welcome too!
Designer- Who are you to me?
User- Your long distance partner.
Designer- Where do you live?
User- I am in Melbourne.
Designer- What is something you utilise when talking to me or what device do you talk to me on?
User- My phone and my phone holder.
Designer- Why do you use these most?
User- It helps communicating with you through long distance better since we are on FaceTime for multiple hours in the day. I carry my phone with me every where rather than than any other device.
Designer- Since we have figured that you prefer smaller devices to talk to me, What else would you say you dislike about your phone?
User- After a while, I dislike holding my phone because my hands get tired or are often sore from work.
Designer- What do you do for work?
User- I am a Construction worker who is currently assisting in the manufacturing of a robotic warehouse. I’m constantly gripping onto hand held machinery and other materials. On the bright side, I do love technology and robotics.
Designer- Where do you spend most of your time talking to me when you finish work?
User- I’m often in my bedroom but at times I take you everywhere with me while doing chores and running errands.
Designer- What have you done to solve this issue of sore hands?
User- I bought a tray that sits on top of you in bed (which is originally suppose to be used for food) a couple of weeks ago. I put a tissue box behind my phone with the tray but I don’t enjoy using it because it wasn't a stable set-up. Every time I would move in bed, It'll constantly slip down and fall.
Designer- Hmm, I understand, that is annoying. As we are on FaceTime at the moment, I notice your lady bug pillow to your left. Can you tell me more about that?
User- Yes! growing up, I always loved hunting for lady bugs. I thought they were so fun and cute. My sister bought this for me on my 8th birthday and I've kept it ever since. I still love them dearly.
Designer- How adorable is that! Also, whats your favourite colour?
User- Anything blue!
Designer- Other than using the phone holder to FaceTime me, what else would you use it for?
User- I use it to watch movies, AFL or TV shows- anything quite time consuming.
Designer- Okay well that's the end of my questions but thank you so much for your time. I love talking to you and figuring out ways to make your life easier.
User- You are welcome and I love that you care about me!
Key points
- long distance calls
- prefers small devices
- hands get tired
- loves technology and robots
- tray and tissue box combination isn't stable and is left unsatisfied
- loves lady bugs
- loves colour blue
- utilises the phone for long hours, all around the house
Observation
In my interview, I established that he is trying to talk to me while being comfortable but as the set-up is ineffective and inefficient, this outcome is not being achieved. I began to think of ways to assist in making this daily experience convenient and innovative; catered specifically for him. With the information gained, I immediately opted for a phone holder because that is what he was trying to convey with his current materials.
Keeping in consideration, the user loves technology and robotics, lady bugs and the colour blue so I sketched five ideations until I got the perfect one. He simply needs a gadget that is easily transportable, touch-free and high-tech to best suit his lifestyle.
Below are my sketches, one to five, as well as a description of each device and its features.
6 Sketches of Process
5 Collages and 1 Inventory
Idea 1:Taken everywhere! even space.
- Phone holder that sits around the neck
- Padding at the back of the neck
- Adjustable material to bend around the neck for easy entry and exit
- Phone is clipped onto
- Can be taken anywhere
Idea 2: Comfort is heavenly
- Phone holder that attaches from the bed-
magnetises from phone holder to phone by magnetic chip inserted in the phone case
- Adjustable material
- Don't need to hold your phone anymore
Idea 3: As sturdy as a tree
- Ground phone stand
- Phone is gripped onto by adjustable plastic holder
- Can be adjusted (higher/ lower) manually
- Holder is attached to ball that swivels making it easier to angle the phone
- Not flimsy, sturdy
Idea 4: Anywhere, everywhere for everyone
- Same concept as 'idea 3' yet has wheels and is moveable through voice activation that is connected to smart box
Idea 5: You're my friend!
- Phone holder that comes down from roof
- Phone holder is in smart box
- Smart box is responsive and high-tech
- Situated in a preferred distance for user
- Goes up and down
- Same magnetic device from 'idea 2' to attach onto phone
- Isn't in your way
Final Product Sketch and Collage
Conclusion
This is 'The Triad.' My final sketch is a triad between a lady bug, a drone and phone holder. This device flies around and obeys the commands of the user. It listens to orders such as to stay in one spot or to follow around, connect via bluetooth for enhanced sound system or to turn on or off. There is a magnetic strip that is attracted to certain metals in the phone, ensuring stability when flying around. This device flies around through the flappable lady bug- like wings. The Triad recognises my users voice to only cater to him, ensuring no interruptions or confusion occur between the device and anyone else (unless asked to.) The triad is a little gadget, just bigger than a phone as my user prefers light devices.
References
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). (2020). Hexcel.com. https://www.hexcel.com/Resources/UAV#:~:text=Today%2C%20almost%20all%20UAV%20structures
Wikipedia Contributors. (2019, January 24). Martin Cooper (inventor). Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Cooper_(inventor)
A Brief History of Drones. (n.d.). Imperial War Museums. https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/a-brief-history-of-drones#:~:text=The%20first%20pilotless%20vehicles%20were
National Geographic. (2014, March 1). Ladybug facts and photos. Animals. https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/ladybug
Things to Keep in Mind When Buying a Phone Stand. (n.d.). Www.spintel.net.au. Retrieved October 25, 2023, from https://www.spintel.net.au/blog/phone-stand#:~:text=Uses%20of%20a%20Phone%20Stand
