A modern clock displaying the time 3:44, placed on a white tray with tissue paper, and a framed abstract artwork in the background.

ZEN

Using 3D printing, create a wireless charger that allows me to utilise the standby function of my iPhone 11. The design must match the current aesthetics of its intended environment, my bedroom, and incorporate at least one alternative material and manufacturing process.

2024

Product Design

A digital clock displaying 3:44, placed on a white stand resembling a paper towel holder, with four wooden clothespins and a paper towel on a dark wooden surface. In the background, there are framed artworks and a glass pitcher.
A nightstand with a framed art print, a glass pitcher, a decorative paper airplane, and a digital clock displaying 3:44.
A desktop with a digital clock displaying 3:44 and a small wooden countertop holder with four wooden clips on a white textured paper stand, placed next to a framed art piece and a glass mug.
Top view of a decorative sculpture with a textured white base and five thin vertical wooden slabs arranged parallel on top, placed on a dark wooden surface, with a black cord extending from the top right.
A close-up of a digital clock displaying the time 3:45, placed on a surface with a textured white cover, with small wooden fencing pieces aligned on top of the cover.
A modern wooden watch stand with a black digital watch and wireless earbuds on the base, a green smartphone showing the time 3:52, and a wooden organizer on top, on a dark wooden surface with framed artwork and a bed in the background.
A digital clock displaying 3:52, a smartwatch, and a paper towel with four small wooden conveyor belts on it.
A wooden sheet with laser-etched lines and shapes, possibly part of a woodworking or laser cutting project.
Broken white plastic face masks with eye and nose holes on a wooden table, with torn pieces and strips of plastic nearby.
A 3D printer printing a white object, with visible layer lines, on a black build plate.
Decorative ceramic platter with wavy edges supported by black metal legs on a light-colored wooden table.
A work table with a white sculpture featuring a flowing, wavy surface, supported by four wooden sticks. Nearby are various small objects, including a face mask and keys.
A mold with a textured surface containing four small wood pieces, placed on a wooden table.
Close-up image of a white textured surface with concentric circular patterns.
Close-up photo of a white textured surface with three wooden dividers, possibly part of a decorative tray or organizer.
Close-up of the bottom of a white chair showing the wood pegs used to attach the legs.
A model of a bridge with a textured white base, featuring a small wooden structure on top, and a black digital watch placed on the base.

Ideation

I find a lot of comfort in introducing memories of my travels into my surroundings

Close-up of a traditional Japanese wooden temple roof with architectural details and a blue sky in the background.
A traditional Japanese garden with a pond, rocks, trimmed bushes, and trees with autumn foliage, and a building with a tiled roof in the background.
Modern building with large glass windows and a covered roof, featuring a long rectangular water fountain with small water jets along one side, surrounding a grassy area.
Sketch of a laser cutting setup showing a laser cutter with laser-cut structures, preform, and charger, with labels for each component.
Sketches of various drone designs and components, including canopies, chargers, laser cut supports, and frames, with hand annotations.

I drew inspiration for this project from my two visits to Japan in 2024.

I drew particularly from the gardens of Nijo Castle in Kyoto, with the hope to incorporate elements of the sand and water of these gardens which I found so peaceful.

As seen in my sketches, I incorporated this peaceful motion with the minimalistic parallel lines seen throughout Japanese design.

Modelling & Production

3D Printer limitations presented the greatest challenges throughout the production process.

3D model of a cigarette lighter with a metallic surface, showing internal components, a water-like surface, and structural parts.
A white plastic chair with a textured seat and backrest, a small wooden model with interconnected parts, a car key, a pen, and two black lamps on a wooden table.
Two wooden picture frames without glass or backing, resting on a light gray surface.
Close-up of a white, textured 3D-printed object with intricate patterns and a layered, comb-like edge.

The final model was created in Fusion360.

Due to the size limitations of the 3D printer, the model’s base and overhang components were divided in half for printing and are connected via two push fit tabs.

A template for the four identical support pieces was also modelled in Fusion360 and exported to Lightburn for laser cutting from 7mm plywood.

The 3D printing process presented numerous bed adhesion issues which were eventually subsided by adding a raft to the print. The total print time totalled to approximately 80 hours.

Due to the organic nature of the pieces, particularly the overhang pieces, a great number of supports were required for each print. In the future I would love to further this design by using 3D printing as a means to cast a mould for the final material instead such as plaster, epoxy or concrete.

Final Product

A clock displaying the time 3:44 on a table, with a wooden napkin holder, a tray with a napkin, and a framed artwork with green and brown text in the background.
A digital clock displaying 3:45, placed on a nightstand. On top of the clock, there is a white quilt with a textured, swirling pattern, and two small wooden bed slats.