This proposal involves redesigning a manual desktop pencil sharpener. The proposal consists of a manual sharpener adapted to have a base that uses micro-suction to ensure a firm grip on most smooth surfaces.
Design purpose and evaluation
The main purpose of the proposal is to design a sharpener that can be used in multiple environments without the risk of being lost or damaged. In this case, having the sharpener be manual and non-electric seems logical as it would remove the need for the sharpener to be recharged or fitted with new batteries like most other electric sharpeners. Using a manual sharpener made of metal meant that not only was it durable and less likely to be damaged easily, but it also sharpened pencils more effectively whilst being easy to adjust to different sizes.
Whilst it has the advantage of being easy to use in various environments and lasting longer because of its metal build, the micro-suction tape can only grip onto smooth surfaces, making it challenging to place in environments where the surfaces are not smooth (like workshops, etc.).
The other disadvantage is that, unlike smaller sharpeners that are designed to be portable and easy to store in pencil cases, this sharpener is designed with the idea that it will be placed in a designated area of a smooth surface, therefore making it less portable. The bulky build of the sharpener itself further emphasises the lack of portability.
Design Process
For this TMA, I started by initially researching and testing different popular sharpener designs ranging from traditional manual desktop sharpeners to small portable grinders. I then presented my chosen problem statements to other students to discuss potential design ideas.
Once the research phase had been completed, I arranged a creative session with others. During this creative session, various other potential ideas were explored, ranging from the use of magnetic pads that the metal sharpener could be placed on to having a metal pad and sharpener that would lock together using interlocking metal grooves.
Once I had reviewed the ideas and chosen the proposal, I created the physical prototype for the redesigned sharpener.
Final comments
Whilst this presentation indicates that I was aiming for a more effective and durable sharpener design, it also shows that in doing so, I limited my ability to expand the problem frame, which led to the final design being impractical and unoriginal.
