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Student Designer
University Product Description and Principal Function(s) The collapsible surfboard breaks into two pieces, reducing length in transit under the threshold of inconvenience.Surfboard halves are joined together via a carbon fibre backbone and two self centring, constant loading pin joints align them. The quick release fin system enables ‘hot-swapping’ of fins and their position on the board in accordance to the type of wave being surfed. Customisable tail piece allows optimum board performance in varied wave conditions. To adjust between a square, pin, or swallow tail takes seconds. Why does the product represent design excellence and why do you believe it deserves an Australian Design Award? The era in which being a surfer involved a lifestyle commitment has largely faded. As the surfing constituency widens and integrates into today’s globalised world, where society battles with issues surrounding the lack of time and space, size constraints in everyday transportation of surfing equipment has become an increasing burden.Cities are growing, cars are shrinking, modern lifestyles are busier, and leisure time is progressively eroding. However, as far away destinations become accessible for less financial cost, the surfboard remains essentially as it did 20 years ago – fragile and cumbersome. Whilst we are witnessing a revolution in accessible composite surfboard materials and manufacturing processes, what lacks is a revolution in the convenience of the surfboard as an object. The proposed solution is a compactable and more durable surfboard manufactured with carbon fibre compounds. The length of the surfboard is able to be reduced enabling easier transit for the user. Traditional performance characteristics are maintained, and the expected lifespan of the board increased. However, the difficulties in solving this problem are considerable. For the user, the performance of the surfboard is absolutely paramount. Generally, no compromise in performance will be conceded for convenience by any surfer above a beginner level. The physical features of fibreglass surfboard design have been developed and fine-tuned for over 40 years. The introduction of new materials will challenge the fundamental makeup of the traditional surfboard. The high level of stigma associated with non-traditional surfboard design also presents another key problem (where the relationship between the board shaper and rider has been cemented into traditional surfing culture). The approach of this report to the problem was to research and determine the exact surfboard specifications required by users, in and out of the surf. Constraints on weight, size and shape were evaluated in regards to possible user-travel scenarios. Research tools such as literature searches, expert opinions, field studies and market research tools (including interviewing and questionnaires) were used to gather the bulk of information. Subsequently, the relevant information was filtered through an array of analysis tools, which help to clearly define proposed concepts and parameters of the design. The results of this project conclude that the collapsible surfboard is highly feasible, and further establishes itself by showcasing a working appearance model. |
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