The Computer-Aided Design Technology

CAD 153/253 Design Project Competition 2006

THE PURPOSE

To have students experience the process of design from idea to implementation. 




THE PROBLEM

A recent high school graduate moves away from home to continue his/her
education in college.  After unpacking, and realizing they really do not
have anything to do, he/she decides to make their first piece of furniture
as they solo life.  The idea hits him/her that if they were to take all the
cardboard from the packaging used to move into their abode, they could
make a pretty decent chair to see them through the school year.


The other thought that occurs to the new grad is that a cardboard chair 
would be environmentally friendly as cardboard is one of the most natural 
renewable resources known to man.



THE RULES

CAD 153/253 students of the Spring 2006 semester are to compete
in this competition in accordance with the following rules.


Students are to design and model a cardboard chair within the 
parameters stated in the design problem below.
The design drawings and presentation drawings may be prepared 
by either manual or CAD methods.
The model must be constructed in materials as outlined under 
the Materials section of the contest guidelines.
All models are to be constructed within a space of 24"w X 24"d X 36"h.
The total cost of the model is not to exceed $50 and receipts for 
materials must be submitted with the entry.
The materials required to prepare the drawing portion of the
contest may be purchased from the Kishwaukee College Bookstore.
The materials required to prepare the prototype chair portion 
of the contest should be found by asking retail and industrial
establishments such as appliance stores.
The chair is to be designed to scales of either 1/8=1 and/or 1/4=1.
The model is to be built full scale.
Entry is to include both two-dimensional working drawings of the
chair indicating bend, fold and cut lines as well as a three-dimensional
presentation drawing of the chair assembled. 
Design Solutions are due on the last regularly scheduled day of class.
The college is not responsible for entries and reserves the right 
to retain the winning entry for display purposes.
 
Only one entry per student is allowed.
 
Decisions of the judges are final and may not be appealed.



REQUIREMENTS

The suggested order of procedure is as follows: 


a. Research - see what others have done relative to similar contests
such as this using the Internet, library and local bookstores.

b. Design Sketches - prepare sketches of some possible design ideas
of a chair of your own design.

c. Drawings - prepare dimensioned working drawings from your design 
sketches that will allow you to construct a model from the plans 
you prepare.

d. Model - prepare a prototype model made completely out of cardboard
and fixatives as per the those allowed in this competition.

e. Test - conduct some tests to see how well your prototype conforms
to the design requirements of this competition.




MATERIALS

a. all forms of cardboard without metal or plastic reinforcement
b. all forms of glue fixatives
c. all forms of tape fixatives
d. no paints or finish materials
e. no metal fasteners
f. no string, rope or twine fastening materials






JUDGING

25% = Function of the Chair (comfort) - subjective
25% = Form of the Chair (esthetics/appearance) - subjective
25% = Structural Integrity of the Chair (strength) - objective *
25% = Presentation of the Solution (drawings) - objective




5% = Bonus Points for Chair with Arms Added
* - Your weight divided by the weight of your chair equals a strength
design factor.  High numbers are best.  
  



IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES!

Monday, January 30, 2006 - Assignment 14 is given!
Monday, May 1, 2006 Assignment is due!
  


CONTEST EXHIBIT

The public and press will be invited to class on May 1, 2006
 to observe the results of students solutions to the design problem.


  



SUGGESTED RESOURCES

AIAS National
AllAboutCardboard.com 
Andrew Senior Gallery 
CardboardChair.com 
Quart De Poil Studio 
returDesign Studio


QUESTIONS?

Contact Kishwaukee College Computer-Aided Design Technology Instructor, 
Mark Schwendau, at Schwendau@aol.com.





COPYRIGHT AND FAIR USE

This design competition is the 1983 copyrighted property of Mark Schwendau
and Kishwaukee College for purposes of recruiting high school students into
the area of technology.  Public and private educational institutues are free
are free to use this idea with a credit line "Used with the permission Mark 
Schwendau at Kishwaukee College".  Commercial use of this contest idea is 
prohibitted.
 
It is to be noted while the individual parts of this idea are not copyrighted, 
the integration of the parts as a whole are.