My product is designed to give protection to MacBooks with the addition of pen and Apple pencil holders. The case is slimming and covers the back side of the screen along with the bottom of the laptop. The pen holder holds regular pens fitted with the same size. On the other side is the apple pencil holder which has the perfect shape for them. 

Similar products:

1. https://www.amazon.com/Twelve-South-PencilSnap-Magnetic-Leathercase/dp/B078MHQJWV?tag=georiot-us-default-20&ascsubtag=imore-us-1435067389672201200-20&geniuslink=true

This product is similar in the sense of having a holder specifically for an Apple pencil. But it isn’t always on the iPad case, and only caters to iPads and Apple pencils. My product adds the additional holder for a pen, so you can carry both at the same time, and applies to laptops, specifically a Mac.

• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MG3LJLY?tag=georiot-us-default-20&ascsubtag=imore-us-5585792478516794000-20&geniuslink=true&th=1

This product is similar in that it also is a holder for the Apple pencil but is detached from the iPad. As a shortcoming, it’s only catered towards iPads and Apple pencils. Again, my product would widen that target to include pens as well and would focus on the MacBook.

Scratch: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/771206827

Youtube: https://youtube.com/shorts/XBbj8hlw

https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/762340599

Make sure to read the instructions before playing :).

https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/756838234

For this exercise, I chose to share the problem and solution with my best friend. To begin with, my solution was to create an adjustable and removable cover that could be hooked onto cones to cover outside construction workers from the elements of bad weather. When I told her about the solution and presented the idea verbally and through a sketch, she said it was a great idea and that if she was in construction she would use it. On the other hand, she did point out that the “cover” would have to be weighty to stand through wind and rain, and that there would also be a possible problem with the cones themselves being too light. Lastly, she also brought up that there would be the possibility of the cover caving in if there was no way for the rain to run off, and it instead builds up on top of it throughout the workday.

Before, I identified three “problems” I observed my boyfriend has. After some reflection, I believe those were just inconveniences as they were able to be solved shortly or we just went about our day after like nothing happened. Starting again from square 1, I observed that one real problem he has is getting wet at work (or just overall enduring bad weather (snow in the winter)) as he works outside. Answering the questions:

1. What is causing the pain (problem)?  – The change in weather; his work being an outside hands-on job
2. Why is this “thing” causing pain? – It’s nature; he chose this job with all of its components
3. What has the target user done to solve this pain/problem so far? – He hasn’t done anything besides take shelter if it gets really bad and they can’t continue working. If it’s bad throughout the day, they don’t work at all sometimes (depending on the senior level’s decisions).

From an empathetic point of view, I could try and withstand the rain while also doing some form of labor. This would make me feel all the physical and mental experiences that he may have but of course, not to the full extent. Another option is that I could observe people in the same career field as him on a rainy day and try to either hear their response without interaction or if needed, ask them myself. Lastly, personally, I’ve been outside in the wintertime underdressed, and although I was just walking from point A to point B, that small amount of time made me want to be home really bad, so I could only imagine being out there for about 8 hours.

For this assignment, I chose to watch my boyfriend. One problem he experienced was at a restaurant we went out to eat at, where we couldn’t get a hold of the waiter. The waiter was going to change something out on our table, and our continuation of the meal was paused because of it. Yet, she walked frequently between other tables, and went to the kitchen. A second problem he experienced was not being able to find his size in an item that he liked at a clothing store. Lastly, he experienced heavy foot traffic in Times Square that hindered our walking speed together to get to our destination.

As a reflection: I believe that these are pretty common experiences for people in those environments.

Took me a while, and I’m hoping to perfect it more in the next class!