How may we turn the convenience and function of a makeshift paper dustpan into a comfortable, affordable, well-designed dustpan-brush set?
Observation of functional minimalism, elegant curves, and easy-to-manipulate forms
Brief exploration of form through sketching, keeping the iterations as fast as possible
The starting point
Two-handed concept to simulate cutting board
Experimentation with folds
Smaller hold for better control
More complex compliance mechanism
Complex does not always mean better
Simplified design to create elegance in the form
Discovery that the best fold happens at a curve, not a point
Refining the design in plastic
The material choice, thin polypropylene plastic, allows the dustpan to create a "living hinge," meaning that it can bend a near-infinite amount of times without breaking apart.
To create a living hinge, the plastic needs to be heated. To achieve this, I used a low setting on a laser cutter to melt (but not cut) a crease.
The geometry that allows the sides of the dustpan to fold up into a cradle is created by two living hinge creases that fold opposite to each other, creating tension in the dustpan when the handle is squeezed.
Final product
Living design, flexible solution
