top of page
Element of Surprise
bachelor thesis
14 weeks
partner
petter alfredsson
location
lund university
year
spring 2015
It was quickly agreed that the Bachelor’s Project required an ample theme that we both found interesting. It also needed to include as many different design aspects as possible to create a comprehensive demonstration of our skills. One demarcation from the beginning was that we wanted to make several products which had to be tied together: design and build a pair of visually coherent functional products, which all contain a positive element of surprise that enhances the usability.
video | product showcase
A short video that aims to show the main features of the finished products and spike further curiosity.
the brief
Design and build a visually coherent pair of funtional products, which contain a positive element of surprise that enhances the usability.
research | defining the why and how
Why surprise?
-
It causes interest
-
Makes for a memorable and interesting experience
-
Causes learning and awereness
-
Makes emotions more intense (up to 400%)
-
Is often part of the best memories
-
Causes attraction toward the source of the surprise
to create surprise
One has to violate the subject's expectations. To achieve that, one firstly needs to specify what those are.
Target surprise attributes
Intensity
Negative
Positive
Netural
-
Use surroundings
-
Fool the eye
-
Create false expectations
-
Change ordinary solutions
-
Fool the mind
Around 400 answers
user survey
sketching process
At first the aim was to make three products: a backpack, headphones and a watch, but this was changed because of the time limit.
These are just some of the sketches generated during the 3-4 week ideation period.
prototyping | Testing & building
what we were after
A pair of easily foldable over-ear headphones.
what we were after
A backpack that becomes flat when empty.
development | details & features
hard & flat
Lots of trying and testing went into making the backpack ergonomic and comfortable despite its unusual design.
Making the headband fold into the headphones was a challenge, taking 4 weeks to solve.
folding mechanism
90 mm
Step 3
Step 1
Step 2
The inside of the headphones could only accomodate 90 mm, meaning the headband needed to extend by a factor of four.
detailing
Working through everything, both big and small, like the exact angle of the headpones or the shape of the metal lock on the backpack's strap.
10°
final products | surprise & usability
Flat and light when empty, just as big as your things when full. Easy to store, easy to use.
the backpack
1.
Pull apart to turn ON
2.
Twist away from you
3.
Put on head and pull
the headphones
Small and durable when closed, full-sized and comfortable when in use. Pull apart for ON, close for OFF.
bottom of page