What the design is about:
Businessmen are always meeting new people and clients, and the need to constantly give out contact details is a must in order to keep in contact with clients, co-workers and friends.
The ability to quickly and easily give out one’s business card is essential, especially when there could be a big opportunity in business success if the person you just met is well known and successful. Not every businessman carries several business cards when they’re out of the office, so this design caters for the need to always have access to a supply of business cards at any time.
My design is a fashionable accessory for businessmen which also works as a business card holder. It was designed to look like a very simplistic accessory that could be worn by all businessmen in the breast pocket of their blazer, whilst also having the ability to store their personal business cards wherever they go.
The breast pocket is usually an untouched pocket for most businessmen who wear blazers, and this clip-on styled card holder makes this opportunity, allowing the user to conveniently store their business cards hidden behind their breast pocket, whilst also looking smart, fashion-forward and professional whenever they wear their blazer’s.
What the BC clip does:
The BC clip is a clip which hangs on the breast pocket of a blazer, whilst also being able to store business cards. The aluminium strip is held together by magnets which acts as a support to hold the clip in place whilst also being the cover for the slot to fill more business cards with.
What the final production model should be made of:
In the final production product, the choice of materials would have been slightly different. The aluminium strip would be replaced by stainless steel, as it removes the need for the zinc washer that I attached onto the aluminium so that the magnetic force being exerted from the magnets could draw the aluminium towards the magnet. A smaller hinge, the size of the aluminium strip (20mm) would be used, so as to compliment the minimalistic design. The main body would be made from either an aluminium or steel sheet, which could also be encased in black leather to enhance the luxurious look of the fashionable card holder.
Justifying design decisions and approach:
The model was made in MDF as making the entire body out of a single or several sheets of aluminium or steel was out of reach. Each MDF part was put together with superglue to reduce waiting time for drying, and then sprayed with several thin layers of black acrylic paint and then with a few layers of dull cote spray. I chose to have a ‘matt black’ look as I thought it would look more luxurious than a glossy black card holder, as the glossy black could be considered a cheap ‘plastic’ look.
The aluminium strip was used instead of steel because I couldn’t get any access to steel sheets as thin as the aluminium strip. I experimented with a thicker 3mm aluminium strip, but the bending process kept creating errors and mistakes and it would have taken too long to perfect. A brass hinge was used to allow the ‘L’ shaped aluminium piece to be lifted whilst still being connected to the body of the card holder. ‘Two part Epoxy’ was used to join the aluminum strip to the brass hinge. Brass was used for the hinge as it was the only material available for hinges of that size.
I decided to use magnets as a form of connection between the aluminium strip and the body of the card holder because I figured that it was the cleanest, and most simplest way of connecting the two parts even through the blazer breast pocket. However, because aluminium is not affected by the magnets, I attached a zinc washer on the aluminium strip, because zinc is affected by magnets. In the final product, steel would have been the better option as it is affected by magnets, and also eliminates the need for the zinc washer.
BC Clip Pleasure Analysis:
Physio-Pleasure:
- Magnetic connections between the aluminium clip and the card holder body for ease of use and convenience.
- Slots for fingers to glide through with ease
- Angled body for a comfortable grip on the hands
- Leather encased body for a luxurious and elegant feel.
- Placed in the breast pocket so it does not obstruct space in the trouser pockets.
Psych-Pleasure:
- Knowing that you will stand out
- Convenience of always having a business card handy
- Never worrying
- Looks like no other product on the market
- Nothing too technical or difficult
Ideo-Pleasure:
- Makes use of the hardly ever used breast pocket in blazers.
- Never need to worry about connection parts breaking because the design uses magnets.
Socio-Pleasure:
- Talking point for other people as they have never seen anything similar before.
- Makes the user look professional and fashion forward.
- Exclusivity
- Improves relationships with potential business partners
I really like the styling of this object. It could'a been some nerdy kind of utility belt like thing but instead it looks really sleek. It could be used to hold more than just business cards too, like cigs, cash etc...
ReplyDeleteMaybe the weight of the product could be lightened so it doesn't crinkle up a shirt pocket.
It looks sleek and professional, even avantgarde as 'people havent seen it' before- and would conjure interest. Perhaps this would really go better on the belt... as that would sustain more weight of the business cards than pockets.
ReplyDeleteThe overall finish of this product is amazing as it gives the card holder a really smart and professional look. The function of letting part of it to hang out of the breast pocket is something preety new as the user is able to show it off unlike existing card holders where its stored and concealed in the inner pockets. But i agree with Nicholas and Eugenius, it could of been of less weight but also maybe of a slightly smaller size so that it doesn't look like its bulging out of the user's breast pocket.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you have achieved your target markets needs and wants in this professional looking product. Everything about this appears very corporate and professional the only suggestion would be to perhaps make it less bulky as it is tends to sag while in the breast pocket. Other than that, a job WELL DONE!
ReplyDeleteThe overall product really suits the target market that you are trying to design to, I like the fact that it looks professional and sleek that makes it look it you're a serious businessman. Also the fact that the silver part hangs out for appearance purposes is a good idea but it would be a little bit bulky and heavy. So if you would made the silver clip little bit smaller it would look great..over than that good job!!!
ReplyDeletereally nice idea.
ReplyDeletethe colour and feel of the product are perfect for the business environment. the only thing is the size could proberly be refinied. but the idea is so simple yet effective, would really work well.