Toolbox: “ISBN”

ASSIGNMENT

Design a toolbox for storing household tools or a specialist’s toolset in order to gain first-hand understanding of design issues, including:

part tolerance
wall thickness
part specification + count
material strength
functionality (structure + form)

The final product, as built, serves as a working appearance model of a potentially manufactured product.

DELIVERABLES

Physical prototype
Presentation poster
Secondary research

HOW MIGHT WE...

Reduce the toolkit to its essentials and celebrate tools for making?

Design

Named after the International Standard Book Number, ISBN stores nothing but the most essential tools required for daily household tasks. Embedded magnetized closures assure the kit stays shut in transit, while CNC-routed polyethylene foam inserts (not shown) keep the tools in place. A small indentation provides an opening affordance. Intentionally designed without a handle, the toolbox can be cradled under one’s arm, just like a small stack of books.

Context of use

The toolbox is designed to lie flat, providing a holistic view of the neatly ordered tools (also known as ‘Knoll-ing’). Inspired by the personality and modularity of everyday carry (EDC) culture, the exterior frame is designed to accommodate custom-cut polyethylene foam inserts, allowing each individual to customize the base model to accommodate their core toolset.