CONCEPTION

We will now be analyzing our check-list for the product we desire to build and match it with the various product models we had considered earlier. This is a very important stage that starts with conceiving ideas, grouping them into clusters, arriving at multiple concepts, and finally zeroing in on one all-encompassing concept. 

The approximate dimensions of a standard newspaper are 21.5x13.5 inches. Design of the newspaper holder/ stand should be such that it can hold the standard newspaper comfortably.

Based on our checklist we developed the following possible concept sketches:

IDEA 1- This idea is inspired by the regular Chess/Ludo Board. It provides great support to the newspaper and makes the handling very convenient since it is foldable. Of all the designs we came across, this is the handiest and easiest to use. It has a single drawback i.e. the user will need to hold this apparatus as it has no support. This can prove out to be a major difficulty, especially in the case of the elderly.

• This design can be imagined as a ludo board with dimensions 28x22 inches which is the approximate size of a newspaper.

• In this design 4 hinges are provided(see front view i.e top image):

• Hinge 1 GO

• Hinge 2 HO

• Hinge 3 BO

• Hinge 4 EO

• Hinge 1 and 2 are adjustable up to 360 degrees, i.e. about hinge 1 and 2 the boards can be folded completely.

• Hinge 3 and 4 are also free but along with it 2 adjustable sticks are provided to adjust the reading angle(θ) while reading on a table. When unused one can fit the sticks in the clips that are there on the top and bottom edges to hold the newspaper.

• The maximum stretched length of the sticks are 15.556 inches so that θ is adjustable up to 90 degrees.

• At the back and front of the clips, hooks are provided to hold the sticks while reading.

• Side view 1 is the side view when someone is reading the top part of the newspaper while on table and side view 2 is the side view when someone is reading the bottom part of the newspaper on a table.

IDEA 2- This idea is a single-piece model inspired by various tripod stands used by the Orchestra.

•  The tripod base provides the required stability for the product. It is useful in the case where the user is travelling. 
•  It has an adjustable height to cater to the different needs of people. This is ensured by a knob, which can also be seen in most of the mic stands available in the market.
•  It does not necessarily provide a comfortable reading angle to the user. It is a fixed design. 
• Portability is also a major concern. It is not practical to carry this apparatus along with the user, and it will be limited to domestic usage only.

 

IDEA 3- This product tries to overcome the problem of ‘support’ in the case of Idea 1, and uncomfortable reading angle in the case of Idea 2. 

•  The user can use a detachable support system along with Idea 1. The support system is borrowed from the height-adjustable tripod system from Idea 2. 
•  This product would actually contain the best of both the ideas stated above. The most important change that we bring about in this design, is the ball and socket joint in the support stand, which attaches the support to the apparatus of Idea 1. It is instrumental in ensuring a comfortable reading angle for the user. 
• Since this product is made up of 2 detachable parts, it solves most of the portability issue that we came across in the last idea.
•  This design would contain all the benefits of adjustable height, portability, foldable parts, convenient user experience, etc. Considering that it solves most of our problems, we choose it as our Champion Idea

Evaluation of the concepts based on our checklist:

Evaluation Criteria	IDEA 1	IDEA 2	IDEA 3
User friendly	No	Yes	Yes
Portable	Yes	No	Yes
Lightweight	Yes	No	Yes
Foldable	Yes	No	Yes
Durable	Yes	Yes	Yes
Affordable	Yes	No	No

Based on our evaluation we concluded that Idea 3 is best and hence we selected idea 3 as our champion and moved forward with this idea to the crafting stage.