File Folder
September 2021 - October 2021 (in Chicago)
IIT Institute of Design (Educational purpose)
Minimal and functional file folder prototype designed for ID students
Course - Objects and Artifacts
This course creates the foundation of knowledge and develops skills for three-dimensional design. Students learn to explore, create, and communicate design directions for simple products and environments taking into account design principles, human factors, technology, and business issues.
For this project, we were tasked to design a file folder for our desk that can help you organize our drawings and notes.
My Role
Product Designer
Instructor
Martin Thaler
Jereme Dumm
Challenge
As a design student, one of the struggles for me was managing different kinds of paper. For one of our classes, we usually create letter-size visuals. For another class, we often use half-sheets (half of the letter-size paper) for quick ideation and tracing paper to practice 3-dimensional drawing. Especially it wasn't easy to handle the tracing paper because it's slightly bigger than letter-size paper and flimsy. Therefore, I needed to design a file folder that would allow me to store and move those different kinds of paper easily.
Solution
I designed a bag-shaped box with two dividers inside. Each partition has a different height which tells users which paper goes where. For example, the user can intuitively understand the biggest tracing paper goes to the bottom, the letter size goes to the middle, and the half-sheets go to the top. Also, this structure makes it easier for users to identify and take out the piece they want. I also created the instant lock in the upper lid so the user can keep this file folder stand.
Approach
Ideating by making
Once we identified our pain points, we started sketching out our ideas and prototyping with chipboards. As advised by our instructors, I intentionally tried not to spend too much time sketching and rather ideating by reiterating the prototypes. Below is a glimpse of my exploration trajectory. Each iteration taught me what I was missing and what I could improve. Also, Dieter Rams' famous quote "Less but Better" inspired me to pursue minimal design.
Initial idea sketch : I was thinking of making dedicated boxes for each paper size
Second sketch: then I realized there should be a simpler way to achieve my goal
First prototype: I learned that having a divider was good, but pulling out one of the pieces from the stack was challenging.
Second prototype: To solve the problem found in the first iteration, I made a lid that opens/closes. It makes it easier to pull out the piece, but still, the paper was unorganized.
Third prototype: I added two dividers with different heights. Tracing paper should go to the bottom, letter size should go to the middle, and half-sheets should go to the top. I realized it’s better if the top lid opens 180 degrees.
Fourth prototype: I put double handles to reinforce. (preventing degradation caused by hand oil) Also, I put instant locks on the top lid, and made the top lid open 180 degrees.
Outcome
Finalizing file folder on the feedback
Below is a final product!
