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PLANT TRELLIS
A modular lattice work structure that supports the growth of a plant. Although used primarily for climbing plants or vines, other plants can benefit from it, functionally and aesthetically.
The idea stems from a personal need encountered with some of my small-scale pot plants. Although not specifically climbing plants, some of my plants are getting larger and can no longer support their weight, hindering their development. A modular structure would allow for the optimisation of specific plant requirements. Therefore, the design must be structurally sound to support the varying weights of different plants. The connection mechanism should enable the user to easily set up and customise the trellis. Initially designed for small-scale potted plants, the final design should be scalable to accommodate larger plants while enhancing structural rigidity as necessary. With long-term goals in mind, the design must be adaptable for larger outdoor plants, factoring in a manufacturing process that can withstand environmental elements such as UV exposure, wind, and rain.
Research & Discovery
Understand the problem and the target audience. How does the user want to use the product. Analyse competitor benchmarks and trend insights.
Real world examples
Miniature sets
Define Requirements
Set goals, objectives, and deliverables. Gather constraints (eg. budget, time, technology)
Functional - Works well from setup to long-term use.
3D printable - Can be printed without supports, reducing manual labour required by removing supports.
Modular - Can expand from 1x1 to varying layouts, additionally, extending further than grid systems.
Recyclable - Consider end-of-lifecycle by using a recyclable 3D print filament.
Ideation
Brainstorm ideas and concepts. Sketch or wireframe potential solutions.
Configuring the vertical support beams with the horizontal connections as the next mounting point completed the goal of modularity. Additionally, easily 3D printable.
Concept Development
Choose the best ideas to develop further. Refine the concept with feedback from stakeholders.
To further increase the modularity, I incorporated cylindrical mounting mechanisms, increasing the direction angle of the horizontal braces.
Design
This iteration was printed for feedback. Fitment refinements were also printed for testing. Additionally, I altered some of the design to minimise material use.
Bevelled
Create high-fidelity designs. Develop high-quality prototypes or mockups with high standards. Implement specific materials and finishes. The original vision must remain the same from concept to production
A combination of the first prototype and my final working prototypes.
Through this prototype iterations, I found the modularity to work well. My next goal is to determine if there is a way to reduce the material used.
Review & Feedback
Validate the final form by testing every feature and use case. Present the design for feedback from stakeholders. Iterate and adjust based on input.
Finalisation
Finalilse design assets and documentation. Prepare for implementation or production,
Testing & Validation
Test design with users or in real-world scenarios. Collect feedback for improvements.
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