1) Complete your Repair project (steps 4-10) and post documentation on your LP. Bring object to present next week.
- Attempt repair. Does it work?
No. I tried different solutions to repair the button for opening the door, but didn’t make it. First, I detach the button part. Examine it with care. The mechanism of the door still works, as I used a stick to trigger the mechanism, the door still be opened. So I suggest it would be the problem of the button. As the microwave sits above the oven, the long lasting-heat make the the plastic-made button twisted. So that might be why, maybe the twist or transformation shortened the stick on the back of the button making it unreachable to trigger to open the door. First, I tried adhere the button with a section of stick I got from somewhere else. It didn’t work, as it’s hard to handcut the exact size (this was what I believed at that time). Later I decided to 3d print. So I looked at the part, made a 3d model of the button that really similar to the one I had from my microwave. It came out, and I tried to 3d printed it. But I failed again, because I was told by the staff at Making Center that the 3d printer at school could not make such sophisticated print. The wall of my original button part is really thin, which the 3d printer at school cannot print out.
Finally, I searched online at Chinese and American websites like Ebay and Alibaba. Unfortunately there is no one selling this button part.
- Was the repair successful? Are you happy with the results?Is the repair more beautiful/interesting in some way than the original? How is the object more resilient after the repair? Analyze and Draw Conclusions
No, I failed to fix the microwave. And I am not happy with that. The core function of the microwave still works, I mean, it can still properly heat up food, but because the button now still does not work, it is really inconvenient for me to open the door so I just give up using it.
- What did you learn?How long do you expect this repair to actually last now that it is complete? What surprises did you encounter? What would you do differently next time? Are there other ways you could have repaired this item, that you realize now? After completing this project, do you consider repair a more valuable skill? Communicate Results
I think I might learned something new on design. Since now I’m feeling troubled by the microwave, I started to think about why this repair would happen. It’s all because of the plastic part of the door button was heated and twisted. However, as a piece of kitchen appliances, this similar heat situation should be considered in the design process. I don’t know why GE used plastic as an essential part (while they use metal to make almost everything else). And this kind of design shortened the lifespan of this microwave, which is in my opinion is good as it is not long life design.
As this design also surprised me, I think in my future design practice I should really carefully consider and think about the environment where my design is going to be used.
Next time, I would first start with ordering parts online. I used to do that, but this time I really wanted to challenged myself to fix it “manually”. And getting parts is a smart choice, comparing to getting a new device. You saved money and stay away from creating trash.
And as always, I think repair is a valuable skill though it may not earn you a good life, but it would def make your life better. And also, I think creating 3d model is also a valuable skill.
- Create an illustrated LP post showing your process and results. Be mindful of lighting, focus, background and final results.
Reflection: 8. What is the most important aspect of making a design easily repairable?
First, I would say making it easier to be detached. As that is the first step for users or repairman to open the product and have a look inside to find where the problem is.
Also, for many product manufacture, sell your parts or share your 3d parts model!!! This is extremely important. Many times it is because ordinary people cannot get the part they needed to fix something, they gave up to find a new one. Just imagine, not everyone wanted to carry a microwave, and take a subway to send it to repair. People wanna do it home.
So also make the repair more easy to do, just like people install Ikea furniture.
- After completing this project, what’s one object that you wish you could repair but don’t feel as though you currently have the skills to do so?
I’m still eager to find a solution for repair the microwave. I’m still looking for the parts online. I found few of them who listed the parts but all were sold out. It is strange since the microwave is made in 2012, but now at 2017 I cannot find any part to fix it. Does it mean the lifespan is just like 5 years?
So I really wish I could find the part, or I might need to get a new one which me and my roommate are quite against because that means we have throw away this microwave as trash.
10: Did your repair require fewer materials and involve fewer systems than buying a new replacement? Which systems?
Yes, that is 100% true!!! If I got a new part, that is just fine. The production of a new piece of plastic will only be associated within the plastic production industry. However, if I get a new microwave, there are plastic, metal, electronic parts, glasses, which created a gaint web that may produces pollution on water and air, and cost more human labor.
2) Reflect on our class visit with Gen Saratani. Which of the Long Life Design criteria does kintsugi fulfill? Are you interested in this kind of repair? Do you think you have the patience to enjoy a process of slow repair? Do you think a slow and long process of repair can make an object more meaningful? Does this kind of repair seems like its own art form, rather than just repair? Does it feel inventive and creative (in what ways?) Do you think repaired kintsugi designs become more interesting than the original?
I think the kintsugi fulfill several long life design standards: repair, function, users. Kintsugi does a good repair job connecting different part of ceramic together, and it makes the ceramic function again for a long term usage. And this repair at the same time created a unique aesthetic, with a golden color paint going across the surface of the ceramic.
I think this repair is worthy and interesting. It has functionality and aesthetic at the same time. And I think I’ll have patience for it to dry, as I do have extra dining ware to use….
I don’t think the slow process make it meaningful, but it does add aesthetic to the ceramic. However, in my opinion it is a repair, or a way of repair with design thought. But it is not art, as it is not an artistic expression. It is creative in some way, as the repair person have to come up with the idea about how to use the gold urushi to cover the crack, making it look good.
I think it is a more interesting design than the original, as the golden color traces really its uniqueness. But it might be different to others.
3) Conduct independent research on the effects of the fashion industry on water and air systems. Post links to two websites that you found the most useful and interesting. Write a few sentences summarizing what you learned.
This article talks about the ecological impact of clothing in fast fashion. Fashion is a complicated business involving long and varied supply chains of production, raw material, textile manufacture, clothing construction, shipping, retail, use and ultimately disposal of the garment. And according to the article, fashion is the second largest polluter is likely impossible to know, what is certain is that the fashion carbon footprint is tremendous.
Organic cotton might seem to be smart choice for our body health and environment, however, it’s not that smart. To manufacture a t-shirt or a pair of jeans of organic cotton, requires 5,000 gallons of water during the production process. And synthetic or artificial fiber will cause more potential pollution on environment.
And the dyeing process of the garment actually generated toxins and harmful chemical which might go into the water system without being filtered by the water waste management. And these chemicals might also been to added into the air because the exposure to the air.
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/kinds-pollution-textile-factories-give-off-77282.html
This is another webpage summarizes different pollution that exist in the fashion manufacturing process. Inside, the article talks about the air pollution that brought by the garment manufacturing.There is boilers or other machines that would produce carbon monoxide releasing it into the air, as they also might release nitrous oxides and sulphur dioxides into water. “Bleaching operations release chlorine dioxide, and fabric printing releases hydrocarbons and ammonia. Fabric-finishing operations can release formaldehyde into the air. Without EPA safeguards, these toxic vapors would remain suspended in the air and be carried by the wind to pollute other areas.”
This is another website propose we can dye fabric not by using water but air!
4) Conduct independent research on Social Resiliency. Describe an example of social resilience that you would share with friends and family. Why might social resilience be important in the context of climate change? How important do you think it is for designers to consider and encourage resiliency among people in their work? Why? What is an experience you have had, or an object/design that you have, that supports social resiliency in you? (i.e. makes you feel stronger, not alone, connected to the earth, other people, animals, the planet, prepared, capable and able to deal with changes etc.)
I would like to talk about solar panel used for electricity generating. People are building more solar panel plantation around different places, because we need alternative way of generating electricity as the other unsustainable resources is running out like fuel or coal. And more solar panel is good, since we are running out of the old resource for power and we have an increasing needs of power. It is important for people to pay attention on this, and it is good for people have already started to do something on this.
Social resilience is important in the context of climate change. Since people really need to go to united together to react to the climate change problem we have. And designer as a role to create things that used by everyone in daily life, so it’s important for designers to know about social resiliency and combine these ideas to their designs.
At the beginning of the semester I went to one of the websites teaching me how to recycle different garbages and food waste, which to me means a lot, and teach me learn the ways of recycling trash in order to prevent the potential pollution and waste. Though it’s time consuming, but it do make one feel good because you’re doing the right thing.
