Final Selection of P&P with Timeline

My initial problem I selected for research was the decline of Arctic sea ice utilized by polar bears for hunting and migration. After contacting several wildlife conservation groups and performing more extensive research, I discovered that my hypothesis for approaching this problem with a design solution had already been proven ineffective. So I was forced to start over and identify an alternative problem.

My final research is identified by the following Problem and Purpose Statements:

Problem Statement: Cat owners do not have a simple and economic method for locating their pets.

Purpose Statement: The purpose of this research was to investigate and develop an economical system for cat

owners to quickly locate their missing pet.

I selected this problem because myself and other members of my family have on many occasions gone into a panic because a cat is nowhere to be found. Hours upon hours have been spent searching for a missing cat in bushes, neighbors' yards, under cars and in basements. Obviously many cat owners do not put themselves through this and simply assume their cat will come out of hiding or return home when they are ready, but busy streets, other animals or a passer-by might prevent a cat from ever getting back home safely.

Here is the updated timeline for my research and design project:

about me

1. Who Am I?

I am Scott Weir, a senior at San Francisco State University who will be receiving a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design with a concentration in Product Design & Development upon my completion of DAI 505: Research & Development in December. I have too many interests and not enough time to pursue them all frequently: sketching; painting; plasticine sculpture; puzzles; bass guitar; British comedy; animals; and astronomy...to name a few.

2. What Inspires Me?

I never seemed to outgrow my amazement with the (original) Transformers line of toys. I look at everyday objects and try to work out how they could be improved upon by combining separate elements or allowing them to change into different modes. I am also inspired by miniature functioning objects, particularly tools and electronics created in Japan. Anything that can be made smaller and more efficient through advances in technology catches my eye.

3. My Influences?

I became interested in design when I first saw the film Alien at the ripe age of 5. More specifically, I became obsessed with the biomechanical set and creature designs created by the Swedish surrealist H.R. Giger, who studied Industrial Design. I began to learn more about other surrealists like Dali and Tanguy. I later discovered another less-known artist named Remedios Varo, whose mechanically intertwined explanations of reality were inspired by her bridge-designing father. These artists developed my fascination with finding influences from nature for mechanical designs and vice versa.

4. What Is My Vision?

I will open my own furniture design studio once I've obtained the proper experience, recognition and of course capital! I've become more interested in environmentally sensitive design in the past few years. I feel that green design, along with my attraction towards transforming furniture, will allow me to offer eco-friendly space efficient household accessories to an eager market.

5. An Image That Best Represents Me

6) Six Key Words That Describe Me

Intricate; Stubborn; Dedicated; Frustrated; Friendly; Caffeinated