Mousetrap Project – ‘A better Mousetrap’

The image above shows my a rendered version of my final design for an alternative and ‘better’ Mousetrap. The brief was to design and manufacture a mousetrap which could, well trap a mouse! simple I suppose. I went for a humane mousetrap which used an offset see-saw mechanism to trap the mouse in rectangle shaped box. This project was to be completed within a four week time frame, concept to beginning of prototype manufacture, so it really tested my ability to work under pressure.

Cut Scoop* prototype

Kiwi CutScoop* prototype shown above which was made from High Impact Polystyrene.

The pen in the photo is too give an idea of the rough size of the utensil.

Marker rendering

Some people believe that sketching is a disappearing skill, but if you have ever entered a design studio, you will find out differently. Sketching is an integral part of the decision making process, and it allows the designer to help communicate not only with fellow designers but also clients in a fast efficient way.

I have posted an example of the type of basic sketch rendering I am being taught at the moment on my degree. I was surprised by the use of baby talcum powder which can be used to help kick back your rendering to help give them depth and add further layers.

Outside thinking…

This was a short experimental exercise to help encourage and inspire the creative mind for possible shapes and forms which could have the scope to be used in future designs.

From here I then sketched different angles of  the three-dimensional sculpture onto paper to help log my ideas. This could then be used as inspirational material for later projects.I tried to get a contrasting presence within the two sculptures, from smooth organic lines to the sharp and harsh lines.

Maybe you could try something like this as a part of your design process or even just as a warm up exercise to help get your creative juices flowing!