Tara Britton Sensory

I first looked into the current products in the market, and the brands/current companies that produce laptops. From this i gained a background into what laptops are currently, this helped me to gain a theme/idea of what i wanted to produce for the final design.

My initial thoughts were to make a laptop for the disabled, as currently there are none out in the market, just expensive accessories. This idea unfortunately did not for fill the brief.

My next move was to look into an 'Inclusive' laptop, one that would appeal to everyone weather handicapped or fully able.

I continued to look at ways to make the laptop appeal to the handicapped, as this would also fit with my inclusive laptop.

Throughout this project i have used visuals to help me process a design/theme in my head and on paper. These images, and the research i did have helped me to realise the broadness of the disabilities and how much adaptation it would take to make it suitable. Also to make the laptop suitable for everyone would be impossible to make one laptop suit everyone.

I then thought about making the laptop adaptable for each user, so each person could adapt it to their specific needs. Like each type of can is suited to each purpose but can then be adapted to suit new needs.

As i have a an idea of what i would like to produce at the end of this project, i have began looking at textures to gain an understanding of the feel of the laptop, and how i can use these to influence my design. I feel that a texture can give the laptop the character that will set it apart from its rivals.

I next thought about the keyboard, and how i could making it interlocking like a cog, puzzle etc. The integration links in with my aim for my laptop, to include everyone. I hope to include this aspect however subtle, into my laptop, as it carries the message i want to convey.

In these images i have looked at the differences caused by colour and race. The two fingers show how just how a pen can create character on a surface. This has helped me to understand how just simple features can change the character of my design for example the keyboard font, colour and texture.

I carried on looking at interlocking shapes, focusing more on the paving, and brickwork. As we have to stick to a conventional standards of keyboard technology, this should be more cost effective and easier for the user to understand, and use.

I found this tile in B&Q, it reminded me of Braille, i feel a texture like this/similar would evoke a thought.

Looking at the current trends of laptops and computer technology, cloud computing is going to take over the industry. I feel going towards the tablet side of the market will bring a longer life span to the product. The current tablets on the market only have touch screen keyboards, the user does not have the choice.

Following my research current tablets i looked into more handheld technologies. I feel to make my laptop standout from the current ones, it needs to be easily hand held as this will help widen the usage of the product, (make it more portable).

I feel that the size and weight are very important to make the laptop handheld, but easy to operate. The weight helps assert a quality to the product, as quality materials are normally associated with a heavier weight, but the weight needs to be balanced with the userbility.

Transportation is a big issue for current laptops, protection, disguise, etc. Many of the new styles of technology come with their own style/specific covers/bags. This presents an opportunity for further sales through merchandise for the laptop.

Character can be found in many places, from just silly moments, unexpected and just familiar surroundings. Bringing character to an inanimate object s my next challenge.

I am hoping to create a style of laptop which will complement any type of home, from grand to homely, from small to large, and from old to new.

Also it must be usable in any room, or desk station (work space).

Many desks become cluttered and unusable, space is of a premium, a self standing laptop would use up less room, to create more space for a secondary working area (laptop being the primary).

I must make the laptop design suitable for both home and work use, portability is a key factor to weather it will be suitable.

Mirrors reflect everything! No matter what, it has no discrimination to what/who it reflects. This carries my theme for my design, 'a laptop for every one'. I plan to include a reflection in my laptop to carry this theme.

Technology is something you collect, like items and bits of paper receipts vouchers etc at the bottom of you bag/purse/wallet. Technology will always advance and expire (like vouchers), the life cycle of electrical products is short. I would like to make the design eco friendly during use and after, the quality of material is important to make the feel of the laptop right. The majority of the materials should be recyclable, also spare parts will help extend the life of the product.

I want to give my design a worth, and it not to be just another material good. I believe to do this i need to add character and style to make it a must have item.