DESIGN - mobile mending station
for northwestern’s design thinking & communication class, my team of 4 was tasked with designing a mobile sewing machine station for the wasteShed, a creative reuse store (basically a thrift store for art materials) in chicago.
research & observation
we visited the wasteShed to examine their existing sewing machine machine, which had tiny wheels that barely moved. it also had very little storage.
our client expressed the need for an educational station that they could bring to fairs in chicago, which keeps the antique aesthetic of the sewing machine while also being portable, weather-resistant, and with adequate storage for sewing supplies.
mockups
we mocked up some ideas that targeted either all or some of our design goals:
foldable table - increases portability, can fold up to fit in the trunk of a car during transport. would be difficult to integrate sewing machine.
“lemonade stand” - canopy provides weather protection and pockets to place promotional materials, bottom provides ample storage.
separate mobile frame - builds off of lemonade stand structure. existing sewing table can be placed on top of a built frame with wheels, keeping the original table intact but increasing portability.
we realized that this solution would require the sewing machine pedal to be lifted off the ground, making it harder to operate.
integrated mobile frame - wheels and handle provide portability, canopy protects from weather, and the original sewing table is supported.
construction
we decided to move forward with the design for the integrated mobile frame and began construction in the wood shop. cutting wood with panel saw and vertical bandsaw
attaching handle
attaching wheels
final product
we presented the mobile mending station to the wasteShed, who still
uses our solution at outdoor events across chicago.