Title: Smart Feeder
Size: Medium: Pink Styrofoam, Cardboard, and Arulic pint. Completion: November 2021 Exhibition Text:
The original intent of this piece was to help pet owners feed their pets in a way that is timed and portion controlled, to be mess free, and to be able to seem as a piece of furniture. This ice was made from Pink Styrofoam, painted with white acrylic paint and a cardboard lid painted with black acrylic paint. The piece was inspired from images retrieved from the internet. |
Inspiration
When thinking of what to make, I was inspired by these two images. The one on the right gave me the idea of making the Smart Feeder into a rectangular shaped design, and the one one the right gave me the idea of making the bottom drawer retractable . Both of these gave me inspiration because I was able to produce the image I wanted.
Planning
When we where first introduced to this project, I was not sure how I was going to relate to it because I do not have a pet. However, from asking my peers and observing their overall troubles from my empathy map. I decided to make a product that will help pet owners feed their pet without the hassle. My initial idea was to make some sort of food dispenser for your pet, that would have a tank and stand for easy mobility. However, after sketching three different ideas I settled on the plan below because the concept of something that looks different from its useful purpose was intriguing. I also thought it would be essentially helpful for everyday life since that was my overall approach.
To begin the planning process I made an empathy map where there are four boxes, See, Think, Hear, Feel. In each box we were supposed to add five things that we see, think...Along with that , on the back there was a POV statements which includes who you are speaking to, and what you feel
There was also the Mind Map where we had one problem, or main focus in the center. Then you branch out and add on to that with every possibilities. Once we finished we traded papers with a peer, then outside of class we had our parents/families/friends ad on to them. My Mind Map consisted of a center bubble of Cats/Dogs. From there I thought of Living Stuff, Playing, and Feeding. I then branched off with numerous things and others connected what was related together.
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To begin I sketched a basic plan I had in my mind on a whiteboard, and then made 3 more sketches of a product to solve the same problem. The picture on the left is the first sketch I came up with, the one below is the one that I liked and went with. There are more in the Experimentation section. After I finalized my idea I started to gather materials to make a prototype of the product. The materials I used were Pink styrofoam, cardboard, wooden skewers, acrylic paint and tape.
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Process
To begin the process I first cut the styrofoam into three pieces. I then tried my best to get each piece to the same height. I put five skewers through all three layers and lined the pieces together so that it would make a thick block. I then coated the block with a layer of white acrylic paint, but had to go over it again with another layer because it was too thin and transparent. After the paint dried I added details that would make it look like it had two drawers and outlined the markings in black acrylic paint. For the top of the block I cut a piece of cardboard that would fit on top and painted it black as well. I then taped it together to the best of my ability so that it would stay on.
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Experimentation
The second sketch I made was an altered version of the first sketch (in planning phase). Except this one I added a water tank. Both tanks are removable, and have spouts to dispense the food or water inside into bowls that would be situated on the bottom. On the back it also has a control panel that controls: the amount of food dispose, and timer for hourly feeding. This idea is not bad, however my current product is more useful and eye pleasing my opinion.
When beginning to make the physical prototype I had an idea to use cardboard, so that I could demonstrate what the prototype could do. However, the cardboard would not cooperate so I changed my medium.
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Critique
Similarities
- A similarity between my prototype and the inspirations is that both can be put in an open space in your home without someone knowing its true use.
- A similarity with the the second inspiration is that both mine and its bottom drawers hold food bowls.
Differences
- A difference between my piece and the inspirations is that mine includes technology in it, meaning their is a control panel and that you are able to store food inside.
- Another difference is that the inspirations are manual whereas my prototype can automatically feed your pet.
Reflection
Overall my piece did come out the way I wanted it to because it shows what I want my product to look like. With this project I have developed a new skill of finding a problem and making a solution for it. I have also learned how to use a new medium of Pink Styrofoam which I had never used before. This new skill can help me on future projects because I now know what to expect. My least favorite part of this project was trying to shape the Styrofoam because it was extremely hard. In conclusion, when other look at my piece I hop that they understand it is a machine meant to be able to blend into your home and feed your pest mess free.
Connecting to the ACT
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork?
I am able to identity the cause and effect relationship between my inspiration and its effect on my artwork, because had I not found inspiration on how to make my piece look better I wouldn't have been able to make a prototype.
What is the overall approach of the author regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The overall approach of the without regarding the inspiration is that the inspiration is meant to blend into your home and be accessible.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
A generalization or conclusion I discovered about people while I researched inspiration is that they care for their pets and want whats best but sometimes things can happen and they do not have time to feed them.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea or theme around my inspiration research was to help me find something that seemed like a piece of furniture that really was not.
What kind of inference did you make while reading your research?
An inference I made while conducting my research was that there are a lot of products that are meant to feed your pets, and what i wanted didn't come up so I had to be specific with my research.
I am able to identity the cause and effect relationship between my inspiration and its effect on my artwork, because had I not found inspiration on how to make my piece look better I wouldn't have been able to make a prototype.
What is the overall approach of the author regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The overall approach of the without regarding the inspiration is that the inspiration is meant to blend into your home and be accessible.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
A generalization or conclusion I discovered about people while I researched inspiration is that they care for their pets and want whats best but sometimes things can happen and they do not have time to feed them.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea or theme around my inspiration research was to help me find something that seemed like a piece of furniture that really was not.
What kind of inference did you make while reading your research?
An inference I made while conducting my research was that there are a lot of products that are meant to feed your pets, and what i wanted didn't come up so I had to be specific with my research.