Sustainability · Modular Systems · Product Design
MODU
MODU is a waste-reducing avatar of personal expression, allowing for extensive personalization and an immersive user experience while keeping sustainability in the forefront of mind.
- Focus
- Modularity and physical interaction
- Process
- Form studies, 3D printing, iteration
- Output
- Modular physical prototype
01 / Concept
Inspiration and first steps
Early sketches establish MODU as a solution to toy waste and consumerism, focused on allowing for an evolution of the product alongside user interests. Individual pieces could be repaired, replaced, or changed instead of discarding the whole object.
02 / Iteration
Building out the idea
With cardboard, dowels, and hot glue, I manufactured my first MODU prototypes to test scale, evaluate connecting mechanisms, and consider advisor and peer feedback. Following this, I pivoted to 3D printing as my main form of manufacturing to allow for polished and consistent parts, flexible and replaceable joints to increase product life, and more complex and sophisticated mechanisms and designs.
03 / Result
Final assembled prototype
Through multiple iterations of CAD models and 3D prints, I manufactured a functional and polished MODU. Experimenting with tolerances, mechanics, and print materials resulted in a body with threaded joints, hidden connections, and satisfying movement.
Project documentation