Everyday we use numerous products. We get to see diverse products while visiting a shop, but only pick those we need, fit our requirements, meet the ergonomics of our body and match the expected price. The featured works by the Architecture students of CUET demonstrate the creative process of product design involving brainstorming of ideas, making prototype and testing.

As a part of their design studio project, students from Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology (CUET) have made a few essential tools for daily life. Like backpack, travel bag, chair, foldable rack, Study table, Kitchen spice holder/ jar, Foldable workstation for the carpenter, Clothing rack with an Iron Board. They are second-year architecture students from CUET. These products were made under the supervision of Faculty member Nusrat Jannat and  Amit Imtiaz as a part of the design studio. Aim of the studio was to understand human ergonomics in relation to the product we use in daily life.

One of the team came up with an idea of a bag for architecture students. Named “Three Pocket Bag” one can carry the essentials in three separate pockets. The upper one is used for Lighteraccessories like pen, pencil, Drafting pen, cell phone, tab, shades, built in the USB power bank. Middle one used for the sketchbook, set square with triangle shape sleek pocket, and a triangular scale chamber.  The third one is used for a laptop.

On the upper surface, it has an integrated cutting matt hidden under a secret zipper. For rain protection, there is a small chamber for rain cover at the bottom of the backpack. The backpack can be shrunk with the help of a button if a laptop or other things are not carried.

The backpack fits the basic human dimensions. It got a detachable neck pillow above the bag so one can rest when tired. It will cost 20$ someone to have this backpack. This backpack was designed by Anushila Roy, Faria Matin & Sidratul Muntaha.

Another group came up with a travel bag design that fits the ergonomics of a travel backpack. The main idea was to make the backpack portable. It is divided into three detachable parts which make the bag as a whole. One small camera bag attached atop a laptop carrier and one blazer or clothing carrier works as a support for carrying all the three.

If one only needs the camera bag or the laptop carrier or the clothing backpack they can carry any one of them. They are easy to detach or attach with the help of straps. This backpack is easy to use as it fits very well.

It can be used as a backpack for office or class purposes. But when you are on a tour, this backpack suits one for a perfect holiday companion. Making cost for this bag was 25$. The bag was designed by Jannatul Naim Ismi, Retika Biswas & Radyah Nizam.

Another notable project is the golden rectangle study table with a chair. The group designed a table with a top which is an exact golden rectangle. The table top was divided as the golden rectangle proceeds. There are two hidden drawers accessed from the top of the table, one for keeping things with quick access and one for the electrical socket for charging and plugging in.  There is a box at the end of the table for hiding a lamp.

The drawers can be operated using a human finger. The table top is made with processed wood and the feet were made with old iron pipes. T-joints and flanges used for joints and ends. This product costs 80$. The product was designed by Jannatul Ferdous, Nazia Zaman & Upama Talukder.

During their jury, all the group presented their idea with drawings and practical models in front of external juries. All the designs address the basic human-centric ergonomics. Students developed the ideas in the studio later worked in the workshops to realize the products.  All the products were later exhibited and kept for public viewing. Studio mentor Amit Imtiaz quotes, “In the studio, we experimented and searched for human anthropometry in a different way. We made numerous models to see how it works. It was really satisfying to see how the design has evolved through the process of trial and error ”.

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