Stefan Dickerson

6 1 3 . 2 6 0 . 5 4 3 3id@stefandickerson.com

www.stefandickerson.com

I n d u s t r i a l

D e s i g n

P o r t f o l i o

Welcome

Thank you for looking at my portfolio. Please allow me to introduce myself...

My name is Stefan Dickerson, a recent graduate (2009) from Carleton University’s School of Industrial Design.

Returning to school after ten years in the workforce was a great life decision. It was an opportunity to refine my skills, and make my lifelong passion for design a reality.

Above: abstract self-portrait

Model: Basswood pieces joined with 3D-printed connectors. Approx. 5” x 5” x 5”This piece reflects my tendency to think in mathematic, patterned, or geometric terms. I also enjoy working where precision is important.Why the dodecahedron? Why not a cube?. . . Because I resist the “squareness” that comes from the restrictive nature of this thinking.The form is incomplete. This reflects my state of being perpetually “under construction”. The outside world has access to the interior, an important trait for any designer.

I look forward to working with companies to create appealing products that also function beautifully.

I hope you enjoy reviewing this portfolio as much as I enjoyed making it. I wanted to share the process behind the projects, in addition to the finished product.

Inside is a sample of the work I did at Carleton, as well as some work I completed at a small company before my Carleton years.

Inside this portfolio:

Evocative Form

QiTree

Advanced CAD Techniques

Sky Town

Duradriver

Quizzer

Parts Book

Rendered ImageFormal detailsReference imagesExploration and development

Model photoIdeation sketchesThree concept sketchesMaterials used

Rendering of shampoo bottleFeature details

Model photoEarly concept developmentPlanning final model constructionFinal assembly

Model photoResearchThree concept sketchesConcept refinement and testingFinal model and construction

About Safety VillagesProblem statementHow Quizzer worksForm driversUse cycle

Work experience, N. E. Hagedorn & Sons LtdParts bookSales literature illustration

4-5

6-7

8-9

10-11

12-15

16-19

20-21

Evocative FormAbstract Input/Output Device

DESIGN INTENT:

TOOLS USED:

A luxurious object of antique origin, used to inspect small items

Solidworks, Photoworks

A fourth year Minor studio project:Develop an abstract formClear input and output functionalityVisual cues for operationConsistent aesthetic throughout

••••

Reference imagery Samples ►

Exploration & Development ▼

◄ Rendered Image

▲ Formal Details

PROJECT DELIVERABLES:• Research a clutter problem in the home• Explore solutions using ideation sketches• Distill strong concepts and select the best one• Design and build a model of the chosen concept• Photograph the model and create an advertisement

Clutter Organizer

QiTree adds a touch of balance to the ritual of getting ready in the morning, presenting you with your phone, keys, badge, wallet; whatever you need to get out there and have a successful day.

QiTree

◄ Ideation sketches

Basswood

Oak veneer over bent aluminum

Fastened with 3 screws from underneath

▼ Three clutter solutions were proposed before the final model.

▼ Materials used

vv

Advanced CAD Techniques

Taking an in-class exercise in spline-based modeling to the next level.

Shampoo Bottle

TOOLS USED:• Modeled in Solidworks, rendered in Photoworks• Depth-of-field blur in Photoshop

vv

Grip curves are copied to the cap line and thumb tab.

▲

Grip bumps recede into the surface, achieved by mapping grip curves onto a compressed (front to back) version of the surface.

Orthographic views.Decal was applied

in Solidworks.

◄

►

ABOUT THIS PROJECT:• Based on research on the needs of Purple Martins• Facilitates social nesting behaviour in high places• Easy for human caretakers to manage

A modular system of housing that reflects the presence of multiple Purple Martin families.

Housing for Purple Martin Communities

Sky Town

▲ Early concept development

▲ Planning final model construction

▼ Assembly of Sky Town’s kit of parts

This third year studio project was my first comprehensive design exercise, beginning with a full month of pre-concept research.

Electric Screwdriver

Duradriver

IN THIS PROJECT:

next page:

Research and resultant early concepts

Concept testing and refinement

▲ Research (user testing, existing product analysis, competitive analysis)

◄ Photograph of final model

▲ Audiovisual feedback concept

◄ Externally powered concept, with thumb trigger

▼ Accessory solution for existing products

(1) Refinement and Testing

(2) Refinement and Testing

(3) Refinement and Testing ▼ Interchangeable direction selectors were evaluated.

▲ First physical model

▲ Large hand test: body lengthened▼ Nose lengthened to protect knuckles ▼ Component test (Smart Driver parts)

▲ Bit axis inclined 5° for ergonomics

▲ Preliminary rendering based on physical model

Final ModelConstruction

Precision foam, painted, with waterslide decals and screwheads for added realism. The direction selector turns.

The use of black for contrast helps locate important features.

Quizzer

IN THIS PROJECT:

next page:

• About Safety Villages• Problem Statement

• How Quizzer Works• Form Drivers• Use Cycle

Educational Safety Product for Children

This fourth year minor project was in cooperation with the Ottawa Children’s Safety Village.Consultation with CSV board members guided the development of this project.All visual material was created in Adobe Illustrator.

About Safety Villages

Safety villages educate their guests using a combination of classroom and simulated village environments. In the village, children practice the skills they learned in the classroom.

image courtesy www.waterlooregioncsv.com

shyness/fear of embarassmentpresence of a “keener”, answering all the questionsrestlessness/inattentiveness

•••

There is variation in participation level.This means that some children benefit less from the village visit.

A lack of participation during oral questioning can result from:

Children need a new outlet to demonstrate and reinforce their knowledge.Quizzer gives children an equal opportunity to test their knowledge as they explore the village.

Problem Statement

An optical scanner in the Quizzer obtains all the data for one question from a barcode.

After demonstrating how to use the Quizzer, the teacher powers each one on and passes them out to the children.

Indents or holes in the boards align the Quizzer’s scanner with the barcode.

Wall-mounted question board, stamped metal. Customizable barcode stickers are attached.

◄

►

A question board is found.The child doesn’t know whatthe question is until it is scanned.

How Quizzer Works

The question appears on the Quizzer’s screen and the child can now answer it privately when ready.

Use Cycle

Hand-held question boards, cardstock.

1) Make a choice (letter highlights on screen).2) When content with the choice, press Enter.

Similarly-sized electronic items for children, such as game controllers and toy cameras, tend to have grip areas for two hands.

Because Quizzer’s top has a scanner, the grip areas have been moved to the bottom.

Toys, particularly those for younger kids, tend to avoid straight lines. For this reason, the Quizzer has curvy features wherever possible. Even the screen is outlined in this way.

At the end of the session, the Quizzers are returned to be recharged.

Form Drivers

Feedback on the choice will be briefly shown.

The child can discover another question board.

Parts BookN. E. Hagedorn & Sons Limited

Between 1999 and 2003, I worked at this company. My first tasks were fabricating parts in the machine shop.

My role switched to draftsperson, where it evolved to encompass design assistance, documentation, and materials management. AutoCAD LT 2000 and MS Excel were used.

ABOUT THE WORK: N.E. Hagedorn & Sons Limited was the first company to fully utilize my potential and challenge my creative and detail-oriented skills.

This experience was a factor in my decision to pursue industrial design.

◄ ▲ Samples from parts book

Illustrations from sales literature ►

Thank you for reviewing my work.