Makita Paint Dryer | Johnston Portfolio

PAINT DRYER

problem

Current sample drying solutions are slow and require walking around the store; often with paint on their figner; to access. If users are mixing larger orders, they have to walk to another area of the store in order to dry their samples. Have to attach sample to clip magnet to keep it from blowing away.

design solution

The new design will be cordless and easily portable so it can be used in multiple locations. It will be more powerful and dry samples more quickly, without damaging them. May also feature storage for sample cards and way to hold the samples in place while drying.

technology

The most important technological feature to consider is making the dryer cordless. The current dryer is a hair dryer, which can’t be cordless due to power usage. Determine method for making cordless dryer.

User Observation

Observed John, manager at the PPG Paint store in Northgate, OH. John showed me the process he goes through when mixing paint. Each part of the process; customer interaction, formulation, mixing, drying, etc.; takes place in a separate location within the store. Creating a portable paint dryer means speeding up the mixing process and shortening the distance walked over the course of a day.

Task Analysis

-Finger gets dirty

-Safety hazard

-Could mix with other samples

-Drips paint

-Hard with mobility issues

-Time consuming

-Uneven spreading

-Hard to grab card

-Inconvenient and time consuming

-Limits number that can be dried at one time

-Dryer blows paint around

-Users don’t clean equipment

Get sample of mixed paint on finger

Carry paint to drying machine and sample cards.

Spread paint sample from finger onto coated sample card

Attach clip magnet to sample card

Use magnet to attach card to metal base of dryer stand.

Turn on dryer and let sample sit until dry

Turn off dryer when done

Brand Analysis

Visual Brand Language Analysis

Ideation Sketching

Rough Models

Created rough models using found objects to approximate size and weight of internal components, then modeled forms in foam.

Refined Models

Created CAD models which were used as reference in creating more detailed models of the top concepts in order to analyze ergonomics and aesthetic.

Concept 1

Users feel that this concept is comfortable and familiar but may be top heavy and fall over easily. They also worry that it’s appearance may be too similar to other tools and thus the purpose may be confusing.

Concept 2

Users feel that this concept will function better, especially with the addition of an attachment, but feel the handle is too large and feels “like a toy.”