Design by
Cal
I am passionate about adapting new mechanisms into unique solutions and products. I've created a collection of my work over the years to show who I am as a designer. Keep scrolling to learn more about my process and how I think.
Sphinx
The enjoyment comes with the discovery of the solution
A set of 3D puzzles designed to be difficult to open
Problem Statement
How may we design a set of three related puzzle boxes with unique mechanisms that are tied together through a visual, auditory, and tactile experience?
Research
Puzzle boxes have been created since before the Renaissance. They tend to be vessels or container with an unclear method of how to open it or remove its contents. Puzzles can come in any shape and tend to mimic their inspiration through its solution.
Focused on three forms
- Boxes
– Goal is to open these puzzles
– Often takes a familiar form (cabinets, furniture, jewelry boxes)
- Separation
– Usually multiple pieces held together
– Goal is to disassemble and reassemble pieces
- Padlock
– Can function as a padlock
– May include key, but is unlocked through irregular means
Design Objectives
Create a set of three unique puzzles. The set of three puzzles will be able to:
- provide a difficult or seemingly impossible experience to users
- tell a story that connects them and increases their impact
- be displayed as conversation pieces or collectors’ items
- keep the users interested enough to overlook or return from frustration
- each have an unexpected aspect that raises the difficulty
Moves and Ideation
Moves are defined as any action used to progress or attempt to progress in solving a puzzle
Four moves are typical in puzzle boxes
Pressure- A portion of the puzzle must be
compressed to complete the move or
following moves
Bang - Hitting the puzzle can dislodge pieces held
by friction or magnets
Maze - A protruding internal or external component
must be moved through a maze
Spin - Spinning the puzzle sends pins outwards
releasing them from a central component
using centripetal force
Initial ideation involved interaction between pins and mechanisms to find mechanisms that are more effective while still maintaining a high level of difficulty
Form Ideation
The forms focused on three stages of life as a theme ranging from adolescence through seniority to death
Child Form Refinement
The Child puzzle is designed to be opened by using the puzzle the same way you would a baby bottle. This means it must be inverted and sucked on in order to be solved.
Adult Form Refinement
The Adult puzzle is designed to be opened using tools from the Child puzzle that allow for a spin move. The spin move is done similar to the way a briefcase is depicted being spun dramatically before opening in movies and things of that nature.
Elder Form Refinement
The Elder puzzle is designed to be opened using a rotating maze hidden inside. This puzzle gives the sense of setting an analogue clock while solving with both motion and tactile feedback.
The Child
A puzzle created to reignite childish feelings and exemplifies focusing on what can be achieved in the future
Solution
1. The bottle must be flipped over.
This places two pins in the unlocked
position while moving the third
pin to the locked position.
2. The ball bearing in the middle
compartment must then be placed
in the center. This will block the
airway that goes from top to bottom.
3. Suction must be used on the nipple.
This will lift the third pin back
into the unlocked position.
4. While performing step 3 rotate the
cap clockwise. This will remove
the cap allowing for the 3 pins to
be retrieved.
The Adult
A puzzle created to resemble the busy stage of adulthood by having various problems to solve with little knowledge of what will come next
Solution
1. Remove the three plugs from the
side of the briefcase. This will
open access to internal channels.
2. Place the three pins from “The Child”
into the correct channels.
3. Move the latches on top to the
correct positions. This will open
up the fourth and final channel.
4. Replace plugs once all components
are in the correct positions.
5. Spin the briefcase. With the three
pins and latches in the right place,
four internal pins will be pushed
to the unlocked position with
centripetal force.
6. Lift the top straight up and obtain
seven pins including the three
placed inside from “The Child”.
The Elder
A puzzle created to encapsulate the concept of life while growing old and the ability to give up or move on and finish strong.
Solution
1. Push down the face of the clock.
This will set the rings beneath
in the maze behind the clock face.
2. While turning the clock face the
movement of the internal pin
will be detectable with sound.
3. Once the three rings have been
aligned the pin will be able
to fall into the center which
must be turned 180 degrees.
4. Repeat steps one and two to align
the the rings again allowing
for the final pin to be removed.
Sphinx
