Final Concept
The final concept, also known as the PoseBook, is an adjustable laptop made specifically for our case owner. It was created through an iterative process, after learning about and understanding the case owner’s context. It fits the case owner’s requirements, as well as their style and values. Because it still a concept, the focus is on the outside casing, meaning the hinge mechanism, dimensions, and style.
Final Concept (Board)
The images below shows the final concept board, as well as some more in-depth renders of the concept. There is also a video that shows how the hinge mechanism folds.
Click on the image(s)/video to enlarge
Detailing
Although most of the focus is on how the hinge mechanism works, there were certain considerations into the detailing. These considerations were based on what we know and have observed in laptops, as well as values the case owner holds.
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Handle – The case owner cannot carry suitcases in one hand, as previously discussed. However, they can carry object in front of their body, using both arms. To making grabbing the laptop and supporting it easier, a handle like grip has been added to the top of the laptop.
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Ports – Every laptop needs ports. No research into the mechanics of this was done, but usually these ports are one side. For the PoseBook, they are on the right side.
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Cavities – Where it can be spared, such as on the bottom, the laptop will have indents (or cavities). These indents will help improve heat dissipation, whilst also minimizing the overall weight and material of the laptop. The laptop is then both easier to carry and better in terms of sustainability.
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Webcam and Speaker – Every laptop has a webcam and speaker. Because the top of the PoseBook is heightened, the webcam will be on the middle parts of the hinge. For integration reasons, the speakers will also be there. No research has been done into camera and speaker wiring/hardware, but the assumption was made that it would be possible. If the PoseBook were to be further implemented as a real product, this would need additional thought and research.
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Keyboard Layout – The PoseBook has a normal keyboard with a number pad, according to the dimensions discussed in the concept development. Because the case owner does not really use the mousepad, this has been moved to the bottom of the number pad.
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Red Accents – The PoseBook has multiple red accents, or contrast colours. Not only do they serve an aesthetic purpose, but they highlight certain features that are helpful. For example, the power button and the hinges are red. That way, the case owner can easily turn the laptop on and off, as well as intuitively use it for the first time.
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Scandinavian Style – Overall, the PoseBook still looks like a profession laptop, but it incorporates aspects of the Scandinavian Style. For example, there is a wooden trim around the keyboard which gives the whole laptop a more natural feeling. Also, the overall shape of the PoseBook is not sharp. Instead, the rounded edges give it a simple but friendly look, reminiscent of the Scandinavian product style.
Click on the image to enlarge
Sustainability
One of the values the case owner has is sustainability. There are many ways in which sustainability can be implemented, such as using recycled materials, solar energy, or just less material. Our concept focused on sustainability through:
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Using minimal material (cavities)
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Having parts that can easily be replaced/fixed if damaged, by making assembly and disassembly simple
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Although not really specifically chosen, using recyclable material and standardized parts.
Not every aspect of sustainability can be implemented. According to the case owner, however, it is important that we can test our product. We should be able to reflect on our final concept and see where and how it can still be improved in terms of sustainability. This is explored in the "Future" page, where we specifically look at the 10 R-Strategies of the circular economy and how we can implement those in our own design.
Storyboard of Interaction
One of the most important aspects of the product is the human-product interaction. How does one use the product? There are of course many different scenarios where someone may use a laptop. However, our case owner mostly uses the laptop at work, specifically at meetings. Therefore, our storyboard of interaction shows the case owner carrying the PoseBook to a meeting, where they sit down and open it. Whils they are opening the PoseBook, they adjust the height and angle to their needs. During the meeting, the case owner can sit in their comfortable working posture, so with their back straight and their head nearly straight ahead. Once the meeting is over, the case owner closes the PoseBook and picks it up, using the handle, to carry it away with them to the next meeting.
For some more in-depth views of the hinge mechanism whilst the laptop is being used, scroll through the images below.
Because our final concept is ‘relatively simple’, meaning it does not have the most complex mechanism and also does not include actual electronics, it is interesting to dive a little deeper into other aspects such as material choice. This is further explored in the section “Future”, as in future considerations. For the prototype however, we based it off our final concept as was presented above.