Background

A personal computer, or PC, is a computer for individual use. It is typically used for tasks such as word processing, internet browsing, email, playing media, and gaming. Personal computers run operating systems and software that is meant to be used by a normal person, rather than by a computer expert. Personal computers, in the form of desktop PCs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, have become indispensable to our way of life. Many households will have one or more PCs in various rooms. A desktop PC normally has these parts: a computer case (or tower) that houses the motherboard, disk drives, RAM, power supply, and so forth; a monitor; a keyboard and mouse; and other peripherals such as speakers and a printer. As PCs can be bulky, occupying valuable space in a room, and, let’s be frank, quite ugly, and because PCs can be built-to-order, a trend has emerged for embedding PCs in furniture that is designed for the purpose. The goal is to disguise the PC parts, save space, improve comfort and efficiency, and improve the appearance of the work place.
 

The design brief

Design a PC embedded in furniture for you to use at home or school. Your PC may be embedded in any kind of furniture of your choosing. Most of the PC components, such as the motherboards, hard disks, keyboard, and other peripherals must be integrated into one or more furniture pieces. Some components, such as the monitor and power supply, can be kept separate from the furniture, if need be. The PC embedded in furniture should be designed to improve your working environment, and allow you to work efficiently and comfortably, but you should also design its appearance as a piece of furniture. Construct a working prototype of your PC embedded in furniture and test it. Work on this project in a small team with a group of your classmates.

​​​​​The design thinking process

Follow the six stages of the design thinking process to ensure that you are thorough and do everything necessary to succeed in your design project. First, you endeavour to understand the design topic and EMPATHISE with the needs of the users. With that understanding, you can DEFINE what is essential to the product or system that you are designing. Then you IDEATE, that is, you creatively come up with ideas and develop them. The next step is to PROTOTYPE your chosen design solution in a physical form and improve it through trial-and-error. Then you TEST your design idea to elicit the opinions of users. And finally, at the end of the process, you REFLECT upon your project to benefit from the experience. Use the appropriate methods from the Design Thinking for Schools website as you proceed along the design thinking process.
 

Note for teachers

Undertaking a student design project using electrical parts or microcontrollers such as Arduino requires:

• teachers who are able to supervise such a project;
• laboratories or workshops with electrical and electronic parts and tools;
• ​​​​​​​and students who are trained to work with electricity, tools, and equipment.