Jacob Schwarz Personal Project 2017 - Report

PEAK LAPTOP
STANDS

2017 Jacob Schwarz

Concordia College

Word Count:
3496

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Contents
Investigating ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Goal................................................................................................................................................... 3
Global Context .................................................................................................................................. 3
Prior Knowledge................................................................................................................................ 3
Research Skills and Source Evaluation .............................................................................................. 3
Planning ................................................................................................................................................ 5
Project Planning ................................................................................................................................ 5
Development process ....................................................................................................................... 5
Issues Impacting my Personal Project ............................................................................................... 6
Self-Management Skills..................................................................................................................... 6
Taking Action ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Initial Design Process ........................................................................................................................ 7
Prototyping Process .......................................................................................................................... 7
Manufacturing Process ..................................................................................................................... 8
Sales Process ................................................................................................................................... 10
Analysing the Project Outcome Against my Goal ............................................................................ 11
Transfer of Research to Help Achieve Projects Goal ....................................................................... 11
Global Context Connection to Project............................................................................................. 11
Critical Thinking Skills ...................................................................................................................... 11
Communication within the Project ................................................................................................. 12
Reflecting ............................................................................................................................................ 13
Evaluation of Project Against Set Criteria ....................................................................................... 13
Strengths, Weaknesses of the Fina Product .................................................................................... 13
Reflection of Learning ..................................................................................................................... 14
Conclusion of Report....................................................................................................................... 15
Bibliography ........................................................................................................................................ 16
Appendix ............................................................................................................................................. 17

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Investigating
Goal
To design, manufacture, market and sell a wood based technology product on Etsy.

I created my goal after brain storming project ideas and working out where I wanted my project to
take me. My goal is of personal interest, as I have always interested in e-commercial processes,
product design and manufacturing. This goal provides a challenge to me because it is open and allows
me to complete a wide range of projects and still be within the scope of the goal. For example, in the
goal I state that I want to market my product. As I worked through my project and I learnt more I
realised that social media was a powerful promotional tool. Due to the wide scope of my goal I had no
problem creating a Facebook page knowing that I was still working towards my goal.

Overall the goal that I developed has directed me throughout this project and has challenged me at
many times but has led to me learning new skills in an area that I am interested in.

Global Context
After reviewing the different global context options, I decided that the IB context Scientific and
Technical Innovation best suited my project goal. Some of the reasons why my goal was suited to the
Scientific and Technical Innovation global context include:

My goal stated that I will design and manufacture a wood based technology product. The global
context investigates the impact of scientific technological advances on communities. And in my
project, I created a product that will provide a functional solution that people will need to adapt their
work environments to use successfully.

I used this global context and not others because Scientific and Technical Innovation best reflected my
goal. The global context Personal and Cultural Expression wouldnt have fit my projects goal as I was
not investigating how others express feelings, culture or beliefs. Neither wouldve Identities and
Relationships another global context that explores what it means to be human.

Prior Knowledge
Prior to commencing this project, I had very little knowledge in the area of online sales and running a
business. I did how ever have some knowledge about the process of building a laptop stand from other
wood work projects I have undertaken in the past.

Some specific prior knowledge that I required for this task was taught to me in my MYP IB subjects.
Year 9 Design Technology taught me how to use all the hand tools employed throughout the
prototyping and manufacturing phase of this project. Design Technology also taught me computer
aided design skills on software programs Adobe Illustrator and Autodesk which I used to design models
of my products. The semester long project structure used in Design Technology provided me with a
layout of the research and product journal which I used for this project. Finally, Art Design and Media
have taught me design skills which I used in this project to develop brand content such as logos and
photo production.

Research Skills and Source Evaluation

Before commencing the personal project, I had the following research skills:
Make connections between various sources
Collect and analyse data to identify solutions and make informed decisions
Understand and implement intellectual property rights (referencing and avoiding plagiarism)
Apply skills and knowledge in unfamiliar situations

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Make connections between subject groups and the personal project

Combine knowledge, understanding and skills to create products or solutions
Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies

Over the course of the personal project I have developed my research skills but feel I have improved
my ability to collect and analyse data to identify solutions and make informed decisions the most. I
have improved this ability by checking several sources and their reliability before collecting
information. This has led to more accurate research being conducted benefiting the overall outcome
of the project. Some examples of the reliable sources which I used include:

Julie Baker, sales representative from Leto Bamboo. To obtain the prices of bamboo I contacted Leto
Bamboo directly this meant that I was receiving information direct from the company, a primary
source. Another one of my questions required me to research Australian tax laws to ensure I got
accurate information I used the Australian Taxation Offices website. This source was trustworthy and
I could ensure I was getting the most up to date information. Overall the sources which I used
throughout the personal project are of high standard and can be trusted.

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Planning
Project Planning
Before commencing the research for my project, I created a set of criteria that represented my goal
and the global context. I created six criteria that if I completed I would know that my goa was
completed:
Designing a high-quality product
Sell products on Etsy
Design a brand that is visually appealing
Creating a brand page on social media
Use of tools and machinery
Sell at least $300 worth of inventory

Another planning method which I used to ensure that I was keeping myself on track throughout the
project was to create a timeline of project mile stones and key events.

For timeline description see Appendix A.

The timeline has been a helpful reminder of where I should be in regards to my project but there have
been several instances where I have not been able to complete tasks by deadlines suggested on the
timeline. For example, in my original timeline I stated that I would complete my research by week 9
of term 1. Though I only finished my research in the second week of the term 1/2 holidays.

Development process
To achieve the best overall outcome for this project I split it up into several parts and focused on them
separately to achieve the overall project. The following sections represent how I split up my project:
Pre-project planning, initial project planing, research, project prototyping, project manufacturing,
project marketing, report/reflection process.

One of my strengths when it comes to time management is being able to look at the big picture and
work out when I must complete certain aspects of the project so that it is completed before the due
date. This is evident as before commencing the project I created a timeline so that I knew what I had
to have done always. Unfortunately, one of my weaknesses is following my timeline. Although I have

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been successful at keeping on track throughout this project there have been some times where I have
fallen behind and therefore had to catch up in the holidays to ensure I could get back on track with
my timeline.

Issues Impacting my Personal Project

7/4/2017
Finding time to work on my personal project due to other commitments:
At the end of term 1 I was extremely busy with class work and the musical so personal project had to
be put on the back burner. This led to me feeling less motivated about the project and having thoughts
of changing goals.

21/4/2017
Breaking my hand at the end of term 1:
On the last day of term 1, I fell off my bike and landed on my hand the impact caused a green stick
fracture. This led to my arm being in a cast for a week and a half which caused many challenges in
regards to my personal project as a lot of the work required physical labor.

27/5/2017
Manufacturing machinery issues:
Due to the design and the way that I wanted the final product to look I had some issues finding a
method to create the wooden sides of the laptop stand. My original plan to use the schools laser
cutter but this did not work as it was not powerful enough. After consulting with my supervisor, he
suggested template routing which my dad decided would be too dangerous. This led to option 3 which
was to outsource the cutting of the sides to a water jet specialist.

Self-Management Skills
Before commencing the personal project, I had the following self-management skills:
Take responsibility for ones own action
Plan strategies and take action to achieve personal project goals
Keep and organised and logical system of information
Select and use technology effectively and productively
Keep a journal to record reflections

After completing the personal project, I feel I have developed in two of these skill sets. Since starting
the personal project I have successfully kept all my information in 3 main documents this has made it
easy to find resources proving that I have developed my ability to keep and organise a logical system
of information. I also have developed my taking journal entries skill as I have successfully recorded key
events and written reflections of my learning throughout the project.

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Taking Action
Explanation of the process I undertook to create my high-quality product:

For evidence of product see Appendix B.

Initial Design Process

In the initial design process, I used several computer programs to edit shapes and lines to create the
plans for the side of the laptop stands.
Design 1
The first design had basic lines but needed to be
refined.

Design 2
This design has been further refined on a
different CAD software allowing the corners to
be more rounded.

Design 3
My third design was laser cut and used for
prototyping. Although an improvement from the
first design I still made many changes before the
final design.

Prototyping Process
Gluing the pieces together:
I glued 5 x 5 mm mdf layers together to make one side
of the stand this was necessary due to the
specifications of the laser cutter.

Sanding the stand:

I sanded down the 5 different pieces of wood to get
an idea of how long it would take to remove the burn
marks left by the laser I decided that it would take too
long and that I would have to investigate other
solutions.

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Attaching the 2 sides method 1:

The first method I tried involved a screw-in nut but
this failed as the wood cracked.

Attaching the 2 sides method 2:

The second method involved the use of a screw in nut
furniture component. This inserted into the dowel
allowed the sides of the laptop stand to attach to the
piece of wood.

Photos of the prototype laptop stand:

After building the prototype I discovered that there were some issues with the design and the
manufacturing processes. Some of these were:
The laptop stand was too big, bulky and thick.
The hooks at the end of the laptop stand could be made much smaller.
I was planning to 30 mm dowel but I decided to use 22 mm dowel because it looked better
and was more economic.
The laptop stand design was not able to be laser cut with my preferred thickness of wood.

Manufacturing Process
Final Design Process:
After taking into consideration the issues with the
prototype I modified the plans to create the final laptop
stand design.

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Drilling the holes for the dowel:

I drilled the 22mm holes in the sides of the laptop stand
to insert the support dowel.

Drilling the holes in the dowel:

I had assistance of Mr Dezsery to drill the hole in the
centre of the dowel.

Sanding the wood:

I sanded down the laptop stand to remove the rough
surface.

Oiling the wood:

I coated the wood with 2 coats of Danish oil 24 hours
apart with a light sand in between the coats.

Checking the quality of the product:

I assembled the laptop stand and ensured it work
appropriately.

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Sales Process
Taking Photos:
To promote the laptop stand I took some a variety of photos to use on Etsy and for other promotional
requirements:

Setting up Etsy:
I created an accountant on the website Etsy. I opened a store and posted my laptop stand as a product
that could be seen and purchased all over the world.
Link to the Peak Laptop Stand on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/526910048

Facebook Page:
To promote my product, I created a business page on Facebook so I could share news and information
about the product.
Below is a link to it:
www.facebook.com/peaklaptopstands

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Analysing the Project Outcome Against my Goal

My goal:
To design, manufacture, market and sell a wood based technology product on Etsy.

Overall this goal was not met in full but all aspects of the goal that I had control of were met in full.
Throughout my personal project, I successfully designed a laptop stand which I tested and altered
before I successfully manufactured I final version. I then proceeded to market my laptop stand on Etsy
and Facebook. Unfortunately, I was not able to complete that last part of my goal which was to sell
my laptop stands on Etsy. This is disappointing but this was the only part of my goal which I had not
control over.

Transfer of Research to Help Achieve Projects Goal

The research that I completed guided me through the taking action phase of my project. An example
of how my research assisted me was through the creation of my Etsy page. Some of my research
questions were focused on investigating the process of opening an online store on Etsy. I used the
knowledge that I had obtained to easily set up my accountant and add accurate shipping details and
prices to my product. This allowed me to successfully market my product achieving part of my goal.

Global Context Connection to Project

In the preplanning phase of my project I linked the global context Scientific and Technical Innovation
to my projects goal the context has guided me through the project. Some of the ways that I have linked
my project to the global context include:
The process that I undertook to select a type wood to use for the laptop stand required me to
find out about different types of wood and their origins. This led me to investigate the
interactions between humans and the natural world.
During the investigation process I researched online business and learnt how this
technological advancement in product sales is impacting communities around the world as
they are now able to sell their products worldwide for a low cost and in a convenient way.
The laptop stand which I produced is used by people to raise the laptops screens to eye level
height. This process requires people to adapt their working style and their working
environment to experience the full benefits of the product. This connects to the global context
as it requires you to explore how humans adapt environments to their needs.

Critical Thinking Skills

Prior to personal project, I feel I had the following thinking skills:
Revise understanding based on new information and evidence
Evaluate and manage risk
Set goals that are challenging and realistic
Plan strategies and take action to achieve personal project goals
Keep and organised and logical system of information
Select and use technology effectively and productively
Keep a journal to record reflections

Throughout the personal project, I have improved all of my thinking skills but noticed that my ability
to keep a journal and record reflections and my ability to revise understanding based on new
information and evidence have improved the most. One aspect of the personal project is to keep a
journal of you progress I have never been able to complete a successful journal for a prolonged period
before but through this project I have successfully kept my journal up to date with the latest
information. My ability to revise understanding based on new information and evidence has improved
through the amount of research I have completed into new topics for this project.

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Communication within the Project

Although it is called the personal project I required the assistance of a few key people to help me along
the way. These people provided me with information and assisted me with particle activities I couldnt
complete. To complete the task, I had to use communication and social skills. Ad I feel prior to the
project I had the following skills:

Use a variety of media to communicate with a range of audiences

Negotiate ideas and knowledge with teachers and supervisors
Read a variety of sources for information
Paraphrase accurately and concisely
Find information using a variety of media
Organise and depict information logically

Throughout the project, I have developed my communication and social skills as a whole but feel I
have developed my ability to negotiate ideas and knowledge with teachers and supervisors the most.
An example of this is the contact that I had with Mr Dezsery by email and in person. Mr Dezsery
assisted me with some of the more complex wood work skills and operation of machinery. The
research that I have completed throughout this project have helped me to develop some of the
communication skills these included:

The following emails provide proof of how I effectively communicated with Mr Dezsery negotiating
ideas and knowledge:

Overall, I feel I have worked effectively with others over the course of this project to produce the
highest quality final product that I can with the resources available to me.

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Reflecting
Evaluation of Project Against Set Criteria
The criteria which I set myself at the beginning of this project allow me to evaluate the quality of my
final product. For each criterion point I have highlighted the achievement level that I feel I completed
throughout the project.
Criteria Not Achieved to some Achieved to a large Completely achieved
achieved extent extent
Designing a No design A product A product designed Designing a flawless
high- created designed with with almost full product with zero faults
quality limited function and only function as a perfect
product functionality and minor faults in it. laptop stand.
having faults.
Sell No products Creating an Etsy Creating and listing Creating and listing
products listed or landing page. products on Etsy. products on Etsy with a
on Etsy sold on detailed product
Etsy. description with high
quality pictures.
Design a No brand Create a brand Create a brand that Designing a brand that
brand that created. with low visual uses interesting is visually appealing and
is visually graphics e.g. graphics but is low identifies the brand.
appealing creating a logo in quality.
word with
standard fonts.
Creating a Not creating Creating a basic Creating a visually Creating a visually
brand page a social page with basic interesting page interesting page with
on social media company with few posts. interactive product links
media account. information. to the Etsy website.
Use of No products Using basic hand Using basic Using a wide range of
tools and made. tools to create the automated tools hand and automated
machinery product. but mainly hand tools to create the
tools to create the laptop stands.
product.
Sell at least Selling $0 Selling at least Selling at least $200 Selling $300 plus worth
$300 worth worth of $100 worth of worth of inventory. of inventory.
of stock. inventory.
inventory

After reviewing the criteria that I created for myself before starting the project I can see that I have
successfully completed all the criteria that I have control over. Unfortunately, though I have not been
able to sell at least $300 worth of inventory on Etsy. This is disappointing as I was so close to
completely achieving goal and the entire criterion.

Strengths, Weaknesses of the Fina Product

Strengths of my final product and things I would do again if I repeated personal project:
Functional aesthetically appealing design, I am proud of the final design that I used to
manufacture the laptop stand. It represents a product that has been well throughout so it can
look good and provide a solution to a function at the same time.
Brand creation, I have spent a long time creating the brand Peak Laptop Stands and I am
extremely happy the way that my brand has turned out.

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Innovative use of tools to create final product, another strength of my final product was the
innovative tools that I used to create it. Especially the water jet cutting which I out sourced
the cutting to a business that specialises in water jet cutting.

Weaknesses of my final product and things I would do differently if I repeated the project:
Not selling any laptop stands, unfortunately I failed to sell any laptop stands this is
disappointing as I put a lot of time in to the product. This is the biggest weakness because not
selling any stands means I havent completed my goal.
Complete a project that I learnt more from, although I have leant a lot from completing this
project if I was to complete personal project again I would choose a topic where I was forced
to learn and entire new set of skills. In this project, I learnt new things but I was building on
previous knowledge. If I had the opportunity to start again I would choose a project which I
knew nothing about.

Reflection of Learning
Over the past semester, I have worked through my personal project learning a lot along the way and
extending my knowledge of the topic and my chosen global context. Some of the ways that I have
extended my knowledge include:

Prior to the commencement of this project I had very limited knowledge about the processes involved
with selling a product online to the global market. But through research I could successfully gain
enough knowledge to put my laptop stand up for sale on Etsy available to a global market.

Another way in which I extended my knowledge was using new production methods to manufacture
the laptop stand. At the beginning of this project I intended to use a laser based computer control tool
but after I realised it was not going to work I extended my knowledge of manufacturing processes and
organised for the laptop stands to be cut with a water jet tool.

One way that I extended my knowledge of the global context was through the design and prototyping
phase of my project. Whilst completing the designs I was constantly thinking about the functional use
of the laptop stand and how it could be used by people in their working environments to improve
productivity and reduce neck strain. The prototyping phase allowed me to correct any issues with the
product and check to make sure that the laptop stand had a positive impact on me.

Throughout the project, I have developed as a learner in many areas especially my ability to use critical
thinking skills to gather accurate information. Although this project has seen a development in all my
learner profiles I feel that I have extended my reflecting and thinking skills most throughout the
project. The required journal entries have forced me to stop and think about what I had done and
where I was heading. This reflection process was like nothing I have ever done before and therefore
meant that I developed my reflection skills greatly in this project. I also extended me thinking skills
throughout this project with a large portion of my project involving research I had to communicate
with others and use sources from the internet to collect information to design and manufacture the
laptop stand.

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Conclusion of Report
In conclusion, the personal project has provided me with an opportunity to complete research and
create a product that is of interest to me. Allowing me to develop new skills and build on previous
ones.

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Bibliography
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Baker, J. (2017). LETObamboo "Price List". [email].
Beitz, S. (2017). Personal Project Supervisor Meeting 1.
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business-structure/sole-trader-to-a-company/tax-differences-between-a-sole-trader-and-a-
company/when-do-i-have-to-pay-gst [Accessed 19 Apr. 2017].
Dezsery, R. (2017). Personal Project Meetings.
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https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/76958 [Accessed 19 Apr. 2017].
Etsy. (2017). Beginner's Guide to Selling on Etsy - Etsy Help. [online] Available at:
https://www.etsy.com/au/help/article/34284891124 [Accessed 20 Mar. 2017].
Etsy. (2017). Fees for Selling on Etsy and Pattern - Etsy Help. [online] Available at:
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at: https://www.forbes.com/ [Accessed 19 Apr. 2017].
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database.com. Available at: http://www.wood-database.com/bamboo/ [Accessed 13 Mar. 2017].
Meier, E. (2017). English Walnut | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwood). [online]
Wood-database.com. Available at: http://www.wood-database.com/english-walnut/ [Accessed 13
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Meier, E. (2017). Red Oak | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwood). [online] Wood-
database.com. Available at: http://www.wood-database.com/red-oak/ [Accessed 13 Mar. 2017].
Newnham, M. (2014). When do you need an ABN?. [online] The Sydney Morning Herald. Available
at: http://www.smh.com.au/small-business/finance/when-do-you-need-an-abn-20140406-
367bo.html [Accessed 20 Mar. 2017].
Otto's Timber Joinery & Hardware (2017). Otto's Timber Joinery & Hardware. [online]
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Mar. 2017].

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Appendix
Appendix B:
Timeline Description:

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Appendix A:
Evidence of Product:

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