Designing a coat stand

From Designing to Building (MIT course)

Following the design process is what this course is about. The idea is to choose a simple idea - a coat stand - an follow the design process from concept to manufacturing.

The first lucy coat stand prototype

Steps

• Choose a goal related to your coat stand - what is it you want to achieve - E.g. dominate the coat stand world, appeal to parents, emphasis on function and ease of use, or a trendy fashionable coat stand
• Choose a set of design rules (formulae) that you want your prototype designs to adhere to. E.g. Must be designed for children, must support 10 kgs/lbs of clothes, must fall over if person puts a jacket on it
• Think of 3-5 different coat stand designs - use sketches
• Spend some time refining all the designs
• Choose the best design that will help you achieve your goal
• Refine the best design
• Perform calculations and rationalise your design. Ensure it meets quality and safety standards. For example, what effect will it have if you place a 10 kg/lb weight on the end of the coat stand to unbalance it?
• Build a small prototype in cheap materials (wood/glue)
• Decide what materials are to be used for the finished product
• Purchase the materials
• Build it

Construction Materials

Build a prototype. Research and choose the materials that will help you convert the prototype into a finished product. Use metal pipe bending equipment if needed (as used on the Boot Kidz coat stands).

Design

You can use software e.g. Autocad(TM), 3d studio(TM), to design the coat stand. Base the design around your initial goals and design rules.


Showing Frame2D software to design a bridge

External links

• MIT designing a coat stand - as part of civil engineering degree
• Elizabeth Lex (MIT student) - PDF portfolio showing MIT designs

Related links