Small Storage Solutions
Creating a sculptural jewelry tray using CNC fabrication
CONTEXT
Wearing fine jewelry around the clock isn’t recommended
Jewelry should be removed when working out, applying skincare products, swimming, cleaning, or doing manual labor. Exercise can cause rings and bracelets to get scratched, snagged, or dented by equipment. Harsh cleaners and bleach used during cleaning can wear away precious metals. Cosmetics, including lotions and perfumes, leave a film on jewelry, dulling its appearance. Taking off jewelry when necessary helps preserve is important to preserve its longevity.
CONTEXT
Where do users put their jewelry when they aren’t wearing it?
Based on an analysis of 16 discussion posts on discussion forums about jewelry, organizing and home decor, users store their jewelry in diverse ways, suited to their spaces and their individual preferences. Users commonly cites catchalls, trinket trays and decorative jewelry trays as storage solutions for daily wear pieces.
PAIN POINT
Many catchalls and and tabletop jewelry trays can’t keep pieces separate
When jewelry is piled together, it becomes challenging to find specific pieces. Storing jewelry together can lead to scratches and damage, especially when harder stones like diamonds rub against softer gems and metals. Additionally, necklaces can easily become tangled and it can be difficult to remove knots from fine chains.
THE GOAL
Design a tray for daily jewelry that allows users to keep their pieces organized
IDEATION
Exploring solutions with compartments, grooves, or wider surfaces to separate pieces
Ultimately, a solution with multiple compartments would be the most straightforward way to keep pieces organized, tidy, and damage-free. Additionally, compartments could create a visually compelling form.
CONCEPT
A storage solution with a sculptural form and three compartments
After creating a small sketch model to bring the concept to life, I decided to create a low-fidelity full scale clay model to test the functionality and size. The final step towards creating a high-fidelity model was refining the contours in a 3D model.
PROTOTYPES
Test Cut 1
The overall size of the tray was too small and the sections were too shallow to properly hold jewelry
Test Cut 2
The size and depth of the compartments were adjusted but machining the tray from the end of the stock caused chipping
Test Cut 3
The third test cut was successful, with all the edges intact and the compartments functional.
DELIVERABLES
