Research

Aspect 1: Research strategies

Primary Research
I know some information about what is needed in the kitchen from experience and some of it I have discussed with my mother before. From designing stage through to the manufacturing stage I have done before in earlier projects, so I will be able to use information from previous experiences. I know some technical information about how to use materials and which materials I should use for this kind of product.

Secondary Research
The secondary information I will find in the DT packets that I have been handed in class, and from other sources such as the internet. I need to find more information about the products that are already on the market. There arent any products exactly like the one I am planning to design, that is why I chose the idea, but there might be some products that I can find inspiration from. Qualitative Information The qualitative information I need to find is about the machinery and CAD/CAM available at school. I also need to find out about all the ways I could make this product. The information for this I will probably get from looking at other products or kitchen appliances. Quantitative Information I will make a survey and send it to my target audience, to find out their opinions. Through the questions in the survey I will try to find out how much time my target audience usually spends cooking and how I can improve this. I will also try to find out which type of cooking I will focus my product on (e.g. European or Asian). From this I will be able to ask which tools and herbs and spices are needed for everyday cooking. With these I will be able to refine my specifications and start designing my product.

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Aspect 2: Data Collection

Survey I sent out a survey to my target audience to find out some of their opinions. Questions: 1. Do you feel you have enough time to cook? o Yes o No o Not everyday 2. If you answered 'No' or 'Not every day', does the lack of time cause a lack of motivation to cook? o Yes o No 3. How much time do you spend in the kitchen every day? o Less than 30 minutes o From 30 minutes to 1 hour o More than 1 hour 4. Which type of cooking do you do mostly? o Western o Eastern o Other (please specify) 5. Would a cookbook holder (to hold the book up as you cook) make cooking easier for you? o Yes o No o Indifferent 6. Which herbs and spices do find essential for everyday cooking? o Salt Cumin Nutmeg o Pepper Dill Rosemary o Basil Fennel Saffron o Cinnamon Garlic Thyme o Clove Ginger Other (please specify) o Coriander Mustard 7. Which tools do you find essential for every day cooking? o Assorted knives Mixing spoon Spatula o Basting brush Oven mitts Timer o Grater Peeler Tongs o Ladle Potato masher Whisk o Measuring cups Scale Wooden spoon o Measuring spoons Scoop Zester o Other (please specify) 8. Do you think an organising system containing these essentials could make every day cooking simpler and faster? o Yes o No o Indifferent

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Survey Results
4. Which type of cooking do you do mostly?
5%

Research: Aspect 2 Other: Italian/French, Asian, Mediterranean/Asian I asked this question because it could help me figure out what types of herbs I would need to include. It also might help determine how the product should be decorated. The results show that 80% of the people I surveyed cook mostly western food. This can help me design the product for Western people.

15% 80%

Western Eastern Other

5. Would a cookbook holder (to hold the book up as you cook) make cooking easier for you?
20% 15% 65%

Yes No Indierent

The results of this question show what I already thought, a cookbook holder could make cooking easier for the client. If the cookbook is held up during cooking, the information needed is right there. I might use this in my design.

6. Which herbs and spices do nd essen9al for everyday cooking?

120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0%

Other: Italian herbs, curry, cardamom, persil, garlic, paprika, oregano, turmeric I want to include several herbs and spices in my design, but I cant include too many, otherwise the product will become too big. I will use the ones most needed; salt, pepper, basil, garlic, curry, rosemary, thyme and maybe others.

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Research: Aspect 2 & 3

7. Which tools do you nd essen9al for every day cooking?
100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

There are of course also many tools needed for cooking. This questions results show that the ones used most in cooking are; knives, mixing spoons, oven mitts, peeler, spatula, timer and wooden spoons.

Aspect 3: Data Analysis

Making a survey for my target market was very helpful for my research. I already used it to determine if there would be a potential market for my product and it seems that there is. Here are the things that I can use from the results of the survey and what I determine in terms of the design of my product: My target market spends a lot of time in the kitchen even though they feel they dont have time enough sometimes, and this causes demotivation. I want to help motivate housewives to cook by making the cooking process easier and the aesthetics of the product might also help. My target market would be European housewives, because this is where I live and where I would want to put the product into the market. The survey has shown that people cook mostly Western-style food. The cooking tools and herbs and spices will reflect this. A cookbook holder would make things easier. I might include a cookbook holder in my design. The most used everyday herbs and spices are salt, pepper, basil, garlic, curry, rosemary and thyme. I can try to incorporate space for these herbs and spices. The most used tools in Western cooking are knives, mixing spoons, oven mitts, peeler, spatula, timer and wooden spoons. These should definitely be included in the design. 16

Aspect 2: Data Collection

Analysis of products on the market 1 2 3

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Aspect 3: Data Analysis

Analysis of products already on the market Product 1 Apple Advantages - The apple shape is very original and quite aesthetic, because it links to food and to the kitchen. - The round shape maximizes the usable space, because there is no room lost in corners. - The size is quite good, its not too big and because it is round, it could also be placed in a corner. - There is space for bottles of herbs and spices and also for tools. - The shapes would be easy to make using a laser cutter and I could use laminated wood, which we have at school. - This obviously isnt a complete kitchen organizer, but there is a good idea to save space by stacking the spices on top of each other. - Glass containers are stylish and you can always see which spice is in which container. - This would be quite easy to incorporate in a design. - The organizer is made out of wood, a material that is available to me and easy to decorate. - The shape of the organizer is original and it allows for space for tools and for herbs. - Since it is in a box-shape and the back of the box doesnt serve for anything, it can be put against a wall and space can be saved. Disadvantages - There is no room for a cookbook. - The round form may be space-saving, but if there is no way to turn the apple around without picking it up, it might be difficult. It may also be too heavy to lift up. - Also if there is no way to turn it, you cant put it in a corner and the space- saving form is negated. - There is no space included for fresh herbs.

2 Stacking herbs

- I would have to by the glass containers, because I dont have a way to make them in school, and I would like to make all the parts myself. - The way they are stacked may make it harder to access the herbs.

3 House

4 Rolling Organizer

- There isnt enough space for the spices and herbs. - The space is also not very handy for putting away tools. - It seems like, even though it is original, the space is not very well divided. If the drawers had been placed differently, there might have been more room for others. - There also isnt any room for a cookbook. - It is quite big so it can be used to fit a - It is too big to fit on the kitchen lot of things. There is even room for counter, so it has to be rolled on the knives. floor. - There are several spaces for tools and - The use of metal in the design can herbs and spices, and it is very space- cause problems, because we dont have saving, as the user can assemble the ways to work with it at school. organizer to their wishes. -Since the organizer is big, it would - Moving compartments could be probably take too much time to make useful in my design. for this project. - These are more accessories for a - It would be hard to make the metal 18

Research: Aspect 3 Kitchen Accessories kitchen organizer than the actual thing. There are some which can be useful. - I like the hooks for hanging tools. Metal hooks would be easiest, because I can either make them myself with metal wire or buy them. - Metal is quite aesthetically pleasing, and also easy to keep clean. - Instead of little drawers to put the spices in loose, I could make trayswhich you can pull out, and put little glass containers on them for the herbs and spices. - The size and form of the product is feasible. It isnt too big for on a kitchen counter. Also, the back is not used, so it can be put against a wall to save space. - There is room to put tools upright. - There are a few drawers - It would be fairly simple to make in school. The shapes can be cut out by a laser cutter or just with an electric saw. - It looks plain, but it would be easy to decorate with paint or carvings. - The main thing that attracted me here was the chalkboard. It could be used for the grocery shopping list or just things to remember. wiring for the small trays. I would have to buy it. - I might want to include some metal, but since the main body will be made out of wood, I dont want to include too many different materials. ease of disassembly

6 Newspaper Holder

- There is only room for a cookbook to be put in the back, closed. So you wouldnt be able to use it while you cook. - There arent enough drawers for spices and there isnt enough room for herbs. - It looks a little bulky.

7 Chalkboard Shelf

- This organizer is too long, it might not be able to fit on each counter. - There isnt enough storing space for herbs and spices.

Results The designs that will be most useful to me and my design are the apple and the newspaper holder. The apple shows could use of the space provided and compactness. The other design shows good use of the space in the box.

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Aspect 2: Data Collection

Which material to use for the kitchen organizer?

The shapes that I will be cutting out from the materials wont be complicated, so theyll be easy to cut out with the laser cutter and there will be no problem whatever material I choose. I think it would be best to make the organizer out of wood, for one because of the aesthetical value and because it would be easy to manipulate.

Laminated wood

Laminated wood will be the easiest to use in my design. We have it readily available at school and we also have the hardware I will need to work the wood. Laminated wood is good for in the kitchen because it is quite strong and it is easy to work with. It will also be easy to finish because it will just need some varnish and paint if I want. However it might not be as waterproof as other materials. MDF

There are a number of reasons why MDF may be used instead of plywood or chipboard. It is dense, flat, stiff, has no knots and is easily machined. Because it is made up of fine particles it does not have an easily recognizable surface grain. MDF can be painted to produce a smooth quality surface. Because MDF has no grain it can be cut, drilled, machined and filed without damaging the surface. MDF may be dowelled together and traditional woodwork joints may even be cut. MDF may be glued together with PVA wood glue. Oil, water-based paints and varnishes may be used on MDF. Veneers and laminates may also be used to finish MDF

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Disadvantages of MDF? MDF can be fixed together with screws and nails but the material may split if care is not taken. If you are screwing, the screws should not be any further than 25mm in from the edge. When using screws always use pilot holes. MDF needs to be sealed before it can be painted. The urea formaldehyde which is used to glue the wood chips together may release fumes that can be harmful if inhaled. When cutting and working the wood, caution needs to be taken.

Pilot Holes Pilot holes are made with a very small drill, so that the screw can be guided into the material without breaking it. The head of the screw would then rest in the countersink.

Ecological considerations
Plywood is made of layers of wood that would be thrown away, so plywood is ecologically friendly. MDF can be seen to be even better for the environment, because it is made with scraps and loose fibers, which would otherwise be waste.

Aspect 3: Data Analysis

Plywood - Available at school - Strong - The surface might be damaged when cut or drilled - Material may split when drilled - Good for the environment I will choose MDF MDF - Available at school - Stronger - Because there is no grain the surface wont be damaged - May be split when drilled - Better for the environment

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Aspect 2: Data Collection

Making the trays
The trays that will be holding the loose herbs need a few qualities: For ease of use they need to be easy to clean. This is in all intents and purposes a kitchen tool, and when working with food, things need to stay hygienic. They also need to be light, so that they are easily moved. Because they need to be slid in and out of their slots, it should be material that is smooth and has minimal resistance when being dragged over another surface. It also needs to be non-reactive to other substances like cleaning agents. It should be long-lasting, without effects like rust in the case of metal, to keep the trays hygienic.

Glass

Advantages Glass is non-reactive to outside pressures Glass doesnt react to time It is easily maintained and cleaned When finished correctly it is smooth It can be made in any shape It is hard It can be colorless or colored It has high aesthetical value Disadvantages It is very heavy I dont have the facilities at school to melt glass in the shapes I need. Even if I bought panes of glass, it would be hard to cut the necessary shapes out of it Glass is expensive and not available at school It is very brittle

Acrylic
Advantages: Acrylic is easily shaped when heated and when it cools it will hold the shape Very easy to cut using the laser cutter It is easy to machine; drill, cut without damage to the material It can be any color or transparent It is tough and holds its color even after prolonged periods of time It weighs 50% less than glass It is easy to clean and has the appearance of glass It can be melted together using liquid solvent cement and be very strong It is available at school

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Research: Aspect 2 Disadvantages: It could scratch, it is not as hard as glass In thin sheets it might crack Liquid solvent cement doesnt glue two surfaces together, but it melts the surfaces of plastics so that they are fixed to each other.

Glass

Acrylic

Aspect 3: Data Analysis

Glass or Acrylic?
I believe the advantages of using acrylic for the trays are greater than those of using glass. Glass would be nice to look at because it has high aesthetical value, however it would be expensive and hard to machine. I will use acrylic for the trays

Aspect 2: Data Collection

Making something to hold tools
I will probably be making a basket. The material I need to make the basket need to be fairly stiff, at least the bottom needs to be, so that it can hold the kitchen tools. That is why I am considering using metal wire. It would be quite easy to cut out the simple forms that I will need with wire cutters This type of chicken wire has smaller meshes, so tools wouldnt fall though the bottom It is easy to find at a DIY store It can be bent into shape, but it will hold its shape when fastened correctly.

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Research: Aspect 2

Choosing the color and style

To choose which color I will paint the organizer I need to consider one of my specifications; it needs to fit in any kitchen. Therefore the colors should be fairly neutral; however I dont want to just paint it white because that would be quite boring. The style I want to go for is vintage kitchenware, because I feel that it gives a warm and homey feel, and that is the essence of cooking.

Characteristics of Vintage Kitchenware Products are usually made out of iron, wood or porcelain. This is how kitchen tools were made before the introduction of plastic and super alloys. This makes the tools look very sturdy and it gives them charm. The colors are very warm and soft. Usually they are natural colors like brown, olive green, creamy white or light blue. Since I have already decided to use MDF and metal wire on the outside of my organizer, I can say that so far my materials are in line with the look I am going for. The only thing I need to decide is which color to paint it.

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Research: Aspect 2

In this sample sheet, the warm colors are the second and last columns. I want the color to be warm and soft, so I think an olive green would be most suitable. The color I will be looking for should be somewhere between New Green and Pepper Grass.

The outside will be olive green, but I want the inside to be a different color, and it should be lighter, so white would be best. However there are many different variations of white, and to continue with my warm theme, I want to go for a creamy white. From the whites shown on this sample sheet I would pick the one called Minced Onions because it would turn out quite nice.

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Research: Aspect 2

Wood for a cutting board

This was not included in my initial design specifications, but I would like to keep my options open. If I would include a cutting board in my design I would have to find some type of material that would be appropriate. Wood Wood is somewhat self-healing, meaning that shallow cuts in the wood will close up on their own. Wood also has natural anti-septic properties. Hardwoods with tightly grained wood and small pores are best for wooden cutting boards. Good hardness and tight grain help reduce scoring of the cutting surface and absorption of liquid and dirt into the surface. Example Teak's tight grains and natural coloration make it a highly attractive cutting-board material, both for aesthetic and durability purposes. Teak, a tropical wood, contains tectoquinones; components of natural oily resins that repel moisture, fungi, warping, rot and microbes. Considerations Wood boards need to be cared for with mineral oil to avoid warping, and should not be left in puddles of liquid. Care must be taken when selecting wood, especially tropical hardwood, for use as a cutting board, as some species contain toxins or allergens. Bamboo Bamboo absorbs very little moisture. This means that any cutting board made from bamboo is far less prone to warping and cracking than boards made from traditional woods. Bamboo does not harbor bacteria easily. Because Bamboo is hard and non-porous, there is little chance of bacteria entering the wood along with water or other fluids. Bamboo is more durable than hardwood. While bamboo is technically a grass, the wood that is harvested from the massive shoots is in fact harder than maple or oak. This means that even the sharpest cooking knives will not easily scar it. Considerations Bamboo grows incredibly fast, but because the shoots are often quite thin, it can only be used when laminated. In this way there isnt much waste and it is very ecofriendly. Plastic The softer surface of plastic boards is scored by knives, and the resulting grooves and cuts in the surface harbor bacteria even after being well washed. A plastic surface can also ruin the sharp edge of the knife. However, unlike wood, plastic boards do allow rinsing with harsher cleaning chemicals such as bleach and other disinfectants without damage to the board or retention of the chemicals to later contaminate food. Example Plastic cutting boards are usually made out of polyethylene.

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Aspect 3: Data Analysis

Waterabsorbency Hardwood Medium Harbor of bacteria Medium Damaging to knives Low Durability

Medium

Bamboo

Very low

Very low

Low

High

Plastic

None

Medium

Medium

High

Aspect 2: Data Collection

CAD/CAM
Software CorelDraw X3 CorelDraw is a program that allows you to draw designs in 2D, which can then be cut out by the laser cutter. It is very easy to use and it would be suited for my project. ProDesktop ProDesktop is a 3D designing tool that can give you an idea of what your product will look like when it is finished. Using this could help me figure out measurements and proportions. Hardware Laser Cutter I will be using the laser cutter for most of my materials. This machine works very fast and it can cut many materials, MDF and acrylic would be no problem.

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Aspect 3: Data Analysis

Final Product Specifications
Design Brief: Design a kitchen stationary dock that would hold several essential cooking tools, to facilitate the cooking process for housewives. By holding together all the basic elements of a meal, the product should motivate the user to cook. Initial Specifications Modifications The product must be fit for any kitchen The product must be able to fit on a kitchen counter The dimensions of the product may be between 50x30x40cm The product cant be too heavy. The product might focus on one type of cuisine. This would be too much work so I will focus on European style cooking The product can be made out of wood MDF The product must have ways to hang up cooking tools Instead of hanging up they will be put in a basket on the side of the organizer, made out of metal wire. The product needs to have a way to contain herbs and spices in acrylic trays The cost of the product cant be too high The product should be easy to clean in order to stay hygienic The product should be safe The product might include a cutting board

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