Design brief inspiration

1. Design and visualise an object that will serve as a plaything between two beings. These beings can be humans, cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, pigs, horses, bees, birds, snails, or any others you imagine. Your design should create a meaningful interaction, fostering a playful connection between the two beings.

• Brief/Problem Identification
• Research
• Sketching/Ideation
• Digital Skills (e.g., rendering or CAD work)
• Making/Physical Capabilities (mock-ups or models)
• Creative Response

2. Design an innovative baby/child monitoring system targeted at new parents and caregivers looking for advanced monitoring solutions that prioritise their baby's health and safety.

• Research in to existing and emerging health/ visual monitoring technologies, internet of things connectivity, smart home trends and existing baby monitor products.
• The parental needs/ requirements as well as safety considerations for the child.
• Sketching a range of initial ideas based upon your research insights.
• Showcasing the final design, what it does, how it works, technical details etc. This may be in the form of a detailed final sketch, rendering or prototype mock-up.

3. Design a key puzzle element within an escape room. The device should challenge players to solve a mystery, unlock a mechanism, or trigger a narrative event through logic, teamwork, or sensory interaction.

• Research in to existing escape room design principles, puzzle mechanics, user engagement strategies, and sensory technologies (e.g., light, sound, touch).
• Consider accessibility and reset ability for repeated use.
• Think about how the design fits into a storyline or theme (e.g. Sci-fi, secret agent, historical, magical)
• Sketching a range of initial ideas for puzzle formats and mechanisms.
• A flow diagram or step-by-step illustration may help communicate how your design works and how the users interact with it
• Showcasing the final design, what it does, how it works, technical details etc. This may be in the form of a detailed final sketch, rendering or prototype mock-up.

4. Design a packaging solution for transporting fragile supplies or equipment. The context is up to you, it could be medical supplies for disaster relief zones, exhibition pieces between museums, soft fruit such as raspberries from farm to market or even supplies for a space mission. But it could be something else of interest to you.

• Investigate current packaging solutions relevant for your chosen context
• Consider the user – portability, intuitive but secure mechanisms etc. Don’t just think about the person transporting – are there others involved in packing or receiving the goods?
• Consider environmental constraints – what conditions do the items need protecting from?
• Sketch a range of ideas based upon your research
• Showcasing the final design, what it does, how it works, technical details etc. This may be in the form of a detailed final sketch, rendering or prototype mock-up.

5. Design a modular furniture system specifically for use in overnight train compartments or long-haul luxury airplane cabins. The system should enhance passenger comfort, privacy, and utility during extended travel, adapting to different needs such as sleeping, working, dining, or relaxing.

• Research current seating and cabin layouts in either trains or planes.
• Consider ergonomic needs, space-saving design and what the functional needs of the user might be
• Scenario mapping may help you
• Sketch concepts that transform or reconfigure easily for different activities. Consider how the furniture can be personalised by the user.
• Consider materials and the effect they have on the user experience
• Present a final design that demonstrates how the modular system improves passenger experience, optimizes space, and supports multiple activities during overnight travel.