10-BIRD FEED CATAPULT

MATTEA MAKALEA MERTZ

D105 | SPRING 2020 | BIRD FEED CATAPULT

BIRD FEED CATAPULT

A bird feeder that allows you to "fling" the bird seed into the yard.

This bird feeder is build for children to enjoy.

Children enjoy watching birds BUT birds are scared by children. So for children a window bird feeder might not be considered the best option. Or is it?

Specifically designed to throw the seed into the yard away from loud children, this bird feeder is the ultimate answer to the problem of loud children scaring away the birds they so badly want to watch.

Children will have hours of fun watching birds eating in the yard, plus the additional thrill of shooting the catapult will keep them coming back. Additionally parents can enjoy this experience too, fun for all ages!

But how does this contraption work? How was it designed? Let’s find out!!

DESIGN GOALS

On the current market there are no window bird feeders that cater directly to children. Children tend to scare away any birds that might venture to the window. So for a family with children, a window feeder may seem impossible. This Bird Feed Catapult is designed to fill that gap! It easily attaches to windows and it is built to be ‘kid proof”. It packs in the fun with an interactive way to feed the birds : a catapult. Soft grips make it easy for children to use. And the folding method that allows it to be stored on the outside of the window, out of children’s hands. Kids will have hours of entertainment watching the birds come to eat the food that they have “shot” out for them. This Bird Feed Catapult guarantees never a dull moment!

- BRAINSTORMING -

BRAIN-DUMPS

GROUP BRAINSTORMING

CONCEPTS

A CATAPULT BIRD FEEDER

This design presented many challenges. It had to be mainly kid-centered, but it could not overlook other users. It has to be usable by a variety of people. It took much deliberation, ideation, prototyping, and sketching to construct a design that satisfied these goals.

EARLY IDEATION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED

Simplify the complex structure.
Make the design collapsible for shipping and storage.
Design it for kids and adults.
Materials and aesthetics

- PROTOTYPES -

STORYBOARD

INSTRUCTIONS

Order your “Bird Feed Catapult” and eagerly wait for it to arrive.
Unpack your catapult and locate the four suction cups.
Hang on the outside of the window. *keep them clean and sticky
Use handle on bottom and to test the folding mechanism. (push out and up)
Pull back handle. Fill scoop with birdseed.
Release the scoop. Watch the birds come. ENJOY!!!