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Overview: Design a beautiful, timeless alarm clock radio with the respective internal components
Goal: To understand how to build an alarm clock radio and the internal components to scale using SolidWorks software.
Tools: Solidworks & Keyshot, Procreate (sketches)
Exploded View
Ideation Sketches
These Ideation Sketches explore different forms and sizes of alarm clock radios. I experimented with curves as well as geometric lines to create different styles and aesthetics. I had decided my color scheme to be a light dusty blue with wood accents, which helped roughly visualize the materials with the respective form.
The designs I explored further were sketches 4, 8, 13 and 28
Four Refined Sketches
These four refines sketches helped me realize a few things about the designs.
Sketch 1: The slight angle of the face was helpful in seeing the time, I enjoy the floating aspect. It is a very sleek timeless design which was the aim.
Sketch 2: The two curved pieces made out of wood are intriguing and visually appealing. I like how this design gives a light and airy feel.
Sketch 3: Although this design is a bit bigger than the others, I visualized this on a desk rather than a bedside table. This small shelf allows users to keep smaller items either for decoration or practicality on top and below. This reminds me of a floating shelf.
Sketch 4: I enjoyed the shape of sketch 4, if small enough, I feel as though it would be comfortable to hold.
The design I went ahead with is sketch 4 due to the simplicity and minimalistic design.
User Profile
Alarm Clock Deconstruction
The deconstruction of this alarm clock helped identify which components needed to be built in SolidWorks as well as the exact measurements they needed to be. The measurements were taken with a digital caliper for accuracy. These measurements were taken as a reference but I made my alarm clock significantly bigger.
Inspiration Board
CMF Board
Market Research
I researched four of the most popular alarm clock radios varying in prices and styles. I was specifically looking for design choices that I enjoyed, for example, the Wayfair alarm clock used tactile buttons shaped like the icon as opposed to a regular circular button. That is something I wanted to implement in my design. I found the way the Ikea alarm clock tilted slightly was thoughtful, not only did it look lighter but the slant was practical and useful. Both the Wayfair and Anker alarm clocks used a speaker fabric which gave them a warm and cozy look which is very different from the more modern but also very cold Alixpress alarm clock. I usually prefer the modern style and minimalistic products however for my design I wanted to make it a bit more old-fashioned with the use of wood. This market analysis helped me figure out what I like and what I don't in terms of alarm clock radios. As I was fond of the tactile buttons on the Wayfair alarm clock and the floating aspect of the Ikea one, I decided to analyze those further below. I pointed out what I found interesting, and things that I would possibly want to implement or take inspiration from.
Design Analysis
For these two designs that already had aspects I liked, I looked deeper into the features, aesthetics, and mood.
Refined Sketches
Changes To Design
When thinking about material choices, I knew I wanted to use wood to give a comforting old-fashioned look while not looking dated. I thought the dark walnut wood looked a bit too heavy on top so instead I made the frame out of wood and the 'floating' part out of plastic. This switch helped make the product have a much more light and airy feel.
I also made the blue a much brighter blue to more significantly have a contrast with the dark walnut.
SolidWorks Progress
Orthographic View
Final Keyshot Rendering
Context Image
