Design Methodology

After finding the main problems and issues with the ring binder it can then be redesigned. To redesign the folder mood boards will be created to find out what types of folder already exist and how they have been designed to function. This should point out any flaws or niches in the market. Lifestyle boards will also be created to show how folders are most commonly used to back up the research on the users. As well as creating moods boards pop up books will be investigated to see whether these can generate ideas to hold the paper inside the folder.

From the research conducted a specification will be produced to focus the redesign of the folder. Initial design ideas can be created through the specification to change certain parts of the folder. These parts can then be joined together to create the redesigned folder. As there will be more than one design they will be taken back to the users to find out what they think. To find this out the same groups if people will be used as in the initial research. This will provide accurate opinions on whether the design has met the problems they had come up with and also identify the final design idea.

The final design idea can then be tested. To do this a prototype can be produced to find out how much it would cost and whether it works.

Introduction

Although most people have computers to save and organise their work they still use folders to store and carry around work and projects. Teachers and students are the most common groups to do this however business men still use folders to store and transport their work and the work of the business. Folders are also used in shops to store documents used for the general running and organising of the store, however, in these uses, the folders being used tend to break if used constantly; meaning that the customer has to buy a new one. I know this through my own experiences of being at school and now university where my folders bend and eventually cant even hold the papers it’s supposed to securely. This can cause problems in the work place as important papers could quite easily be lost once the folder has been bent. Which into will add cost to the business as well as they will need to buy a new folder due to the fairly short life spare of the folder under constant use by shop owners, student and teachers.

The following project has been conducted to find out whether there is a better way to design the folder through materials or even the design of ring binders and other types of folders most commonly used.

Research methodology

To gather information about folders and ring binders interviews on focus groups will be carried out. Focus groups will be carried out as there are different age groups and professions were people use ring binders and other types of folders. Some of these groups include teachers, college and university students, business men and in many shops and offices. By interviewing these people in these groups different problems and improvements should come to light as the folders are used in different ways, as well as this the interviewees will be able to bounce ideas off of each other giving greater detail on problems with the folders that they use. Each group will consist of about 8 – 10 people and pictures of the type of folders that are being used in each one.

The questions that will be used in these interviews will be open questions and recorded on a brainstorm which will provide qualitative results. Two main questions will be asked, the first being do you have any problems with the folders you are currently using? The second being what improvements do you think should be made to the folder?

Analysing existing ring binders and folders through pictures and disassembly of the product will be conducted. By doing this any problems or improvements not seen by the users themselves can be discovered such as the materials being used already and whether there are better materials that could be used.

Ethical Implications

As the study will be asking people their thoughts and opinions there are ethical implications that must be taken into account before any research can begin. A few of the groups being interviewed are in or involved in the work place therefore things they might say could have implications on them so no names will be taken or linked to things said within the group. Also if this project was to be published some people wouldn’t want others to know who they are or what they have said and all of this needs to be made aware to the participants.

Abstract

Most students and teachers use ring binders to store and carry their work around to protect it. However over time, especially if the folder is used a lot, these folders bend which in turn bend the rings that hold the paper meaning that the work isn’t held as well any more and can even get damaged by the folder that is supposed to be protecting it. This is most common in areas of work where folders are moved and open lots of times every day. The follow project will try to find ways to improve the sustainability of folders and ring binders.