By: Anushka Aritri Rahman G-9

E v a L u a t I o n O f M y P r o C e d U r e … By: Anushka Aritri Rahman G-9 I)I) Design

My design seemed challenging in terms of joints when I had planned it out at the beginning of my design cycle. However, as I neared completion, I realized that my design did not look as challenging as it had seemed. It looked plain and boring. You can’t tell which side was the seat and which side was the back. I was really upset when I saw this, but I really couldn’t do much about it. I first thought that altering my plans would help, but then it would also make things too complicated, and I might not finish what I had started out to do, as the making time was nearing to an end. So I decided that I would stick to my initial design till the end, and see what happens. To improve my current design, I will have to think much more form then functional. This will attract more enthusiasm and attention, not only of the audience, and clientele, but also of the maker.

II)II) Making Skills

While I made this utterly boring chair, I had to use several techniques and follow quite a few methods. Most of them were monotonous; others demanded all degrees of attention. When I was filing away at the wood to get one shape or the other, I had to do the same thing for minutes at a time, occasionally checking how far I had gone and how far I still had to go. The angle, of course, was a crucial part of filing, but after filing for while, my hands got used to each angle, and I could file without having to use up all of my energy. There were the attention-seeking dowel joints as well. They gave me a fair amount of fright, and I had to keep an eye while I drilled and fixed the pieces together. When I had to cut off the extended bits off the back of the seat, I also had to be careful, as the pieces were slanted, and I could easily cut something I don’t want to. When it comes to making, if I applied the right amount of pressure and attention, and use the right equipment in the right way, then the end product comes out fine. Cutting the dowel was a bit tricky too. It kept breaking off, even when I was being extra careful, and I eventually had to rip off the broken bits and use it anyway. Maybe I had overlooked a technique which could be used to cut dowel. To improve myself, I will have to practice cutting, joining and using wood, as well as researching more techniques and trying them out. These are the only ways to improve in this sector of Design & Technology.

III)III) Use of Tools

When it comes to the usage of tools, I had to know what I had to do beforehand, and what tools and methods I would use. I have tried, throughout the making process, to be as careful as possible, and can say, that I made fewer mistakes then most people. Precautions were taken when necessary, and I didn’t forget for the most part. Vices, G-clamps, were all used for even the simplest reasons and activities. Common sense was applied and errors were avoided for the most part. To improve my usage of tools, I will have to research about various kinds of tools and learnt all of their usages and techniques, and also all the safety measures one can take while making something.

IV)IV) Modifications

My design was very simple. All there was to it was a couple of cut pieces of wood and a couple of joints and you’re done. Not. Design Technology isn’t that simple. You have to consider all of you’re variables and think at least ten times before doing something. Of course, human beings are not so patient, and most of the time, we just jump to conclusions, or make a silly mistake, which would not have happened if had thought it through. My design had certain glitches which proved to be not out of the exception. When someone had given me an excellent idea of how to join up my chair, I was intrigued, and followed the plan ‘almost religiously’. Naturally, I came across certain impediments which really vexed me, as I should have seen them at earlier stages in planning, rather then when I did. The back legs, which I had designed to be both the outer pieces of the back of the seat of the chair, were inadequately designed. The back of the seat was slanted, and the back legs had to be straight. Therefore, they could not be in one piece. Then I saw that I could not drill into the back of the seat unless I was extremely careful, as there as a fair chance that it would go right through the back of the chair. I would have to say that if I wanted to improve in this sector of Design & Technology, then I will have to improve on my planning skills. Another drawback, if you would call it that, was that the chair had been designed to be made of pinewood, but I had to make it out of gelatine, because there was not enough pinewood to make my chair. Gelatine rots more easily then pinewood, and the quality and grain of the wood is certainly different between gelatine and pinewood. That is why my chair did not have the same look as it would have if the chair was made of pinewood. Better planning and fore-shadowing will probably help make this section of my evaluation shorter then it is at present. V) Organization

When it comes to organization, I think that I was quite organized. I always cleared up after myself, and made sure, in most situations, that everyone did as well. I only took the things I needed and put them back after usage. I brought all stationary except for A3 paper to class, and had all of my paperwork with me at all times. Only at one point did I fail to organize myself, and that was in my investigation and planning session. I should have been able to fore shadow at least some of the problems and research about them, and try and find some of the solutions.

VI) What improvements I would make if I had to construct the chair again?

I would make it more form, and attractive. I would definitely add some colour and flourish. I would give it a better finish then I did this time. The dowel joints will be firmer, and better fixed. I would also make sure all the pieces of wood were cut and fixed together in the proper way. In short, I would make sure the chair was remade in better quality.

VII) How did/would your chair survive the test that you designed in the investigation?

I think that my chair would be able to survive the test that I designed for it, which was to take quarter of the weight of the person for whom it was originally designed. (45 / 4 = 11.25 kg). However, there is an equal amount of chance that it would collapse, as the make of the chair is not so good when it comes to quality. So, only testing it would we be able to find out.

VIII) What do others think of your design?

Here are the comments I got from certain classmates:

. Vrijen - ‘Why?’ (Referring to my design) . Saif H. - ‘Which one is the seat?’(referring to my chair) . Saif H. - ‘The making is really good, especially the joints’ . Aiman- ‘You’re chair is really good’ IX)IX) Compare with your Design Specifications?

My DS had wanted a smooth finish and curves where possible. My quarter sized chair definitely has this. It has a homely look, and would look appropriate in a garden. It would be perfectly comfortable for my client, as the chair is made according to her weight and size.