Cablespool: Functional Desktop Wire Management You will Need
At some point in our adult lives, we seek to own a home desk where we usually do our business with our desktop or laptop computer. We turn it into functional hubs where most screen-based jobs can be done. As time passes however, we end up with a cluttered desk which amplifies the chaos that we deal with on a day to day basis.
The usual culprit would be the presence of “wires”. May it be for charging or for inter-device purposes, these relays can prove to make the desk not only look ugly, but also dusty when left uncleaned. I resorted to address this unspoken problem with my own take on functional cable management called “Cablespool”. Let us see how this concept unfolds.
The Problem
Until I get true wireless technology, I utilise some computer peripherals to make my work efficient. I currently have a Wacom tablet which is powered by a mini-usb wire, mini jack headphones with a very long wire, and a printer (also connected with a USB wire). These devices create snakes which graze over the vast landscape of my desk. As a person who works better with a clear desk, I dread having to look and feel these. It not only causes an annoying desk experience, but also houses dust from my printer cable.
Wires serve its purpose as a reliable terminal for digital information and electricity between devices, yet lack of cable management proves to dampen the experience of using these devices in a subtle way. I chose to address this as a problem as perhaps I may not be the only person who feels the way I do about this.
Goal
The goal is to generally minimise or nullify unpleasant manifestations on a desk which employs inter-device wires. This will boost the experience of working in a desk seamlessly with the user.
Overview
I must create a prototype which serves to manage wires efficiently.
I should design this with seamlessness in mind to reduce the need of the user to think of unpleasant nuances.
Positioning
“Managing your desktop wires to a pleasant need”
Target Audience/User Needs
This product serves people who work on a desk for most of their day.
Harry, a graphic designer, does his work on a laptop on a co-working space. He uses his AKG headphones to isolate his focus to the design work at hand. The wires of this is tucked underneath the keyboard edge of his unit to stop it from moving. Occasionally this wire is shoved to the side as he takes out his notebook to the table for preliminary sketching of ideas. At times, he forgets he has headphones and stands up only to trip on the wires or have it caught underneath his mug of coffee (he is usually lucky as he manages to keep his peripherals away from the mug when the blunder happens to this day).
Jenny, single mom who works as a government office teller, sits 8 hours in her bursar. She customises her tabletop with a digital photo frame of her baby daughter as well as a USB fan among other things. Being behind the cash register and counting money on a regular basis, she neglects having to clean the corner of her desk with the said peripherals regularly. At a visit from her supervisor one afternoon, she was criticised at the lack of cleanliness or her desk. Mounds of “Dust Bunnies” accumulate behind the wires of her peripherals, which is quite visible on the other end of the glass.
Client/Company Needs
I seek to make this simple product into an intuitive and inexpensive consideration for every professional user who works with wired objects, therefore gaining profit.
Design Considerations
If I want to make this product work and stand out, I need to make it functional to a desktop user besides housing stray wires.
If a majority of desktop users use a pen to write and rapidly organise thoughts, then is it not a good idea to be able to keep this to avoid misplacement and loss?
If focus is the ability of a person to stick to a said task without distraction of any sort, is it not wise to create a product which does not attract attention to itself? How can objects attract attention to a user?
The Creation Process
The solution to the problem is to create an intuitive wire-keeper which addresses a micro user experience detail. Reduce the levels of annoyance of the desk elements. A preliminary sketch was made.
Spools are considered to keep long lengths of string in a tidy fashion. Perhaps it can also house lengths of wire. A short spool height with rounded-edged parallel bases may be able to utilise desk real-estate.
I consider to add pen slots to double as a pen holder adding value to the product.
Visualisation & Tangibility
Efforts for creating this prototype has been made. To block out the sizes, a solid 3d instance was created. It turned out to be quite fun to create as the process validated some design choices.
Along with this intricate model, a prototype was made using balsa materials. Applied filler and sanding sealer to make this prototype whole resulting to a more wholistic testing experience.
Reflections
After tangibly playing around with it, I realise that a deeper groove must be utilised to make the wire stick in place. Perhaps a slight clockwise instance to make sure the tension from the coil pulls it deep.
Ultimately the product kept the wires neatly collected. The boundary between the spool accommodated 2 wires and kept them well within a small footprint.