Camera Exercise - Good & Bad Designs

This is a magnet which mimics the design of a light switch. Rather than having to pull or pry a magnet off the fridge (which requires more dexterity), the magnet uses a lever to afford a pushing action instead.

These are scissors which fold up into the form factor of a pen. The flexible handles prevent them from breaking easily, and they are also stored away when not in use. The cap also makes the scissors safer to store while protecting the blades.

These are pins which have a plastic band encircling the pin. When not in use, the band protects the user from scrapes and pokes. To use the pin, stab the pin through the band and the circle will collapse into a thin layer. When removed, the band resumes its circular shape.

This is a toothpick dispenser. The traditional dispensers have a top which you turn to expose an opening. You then have to shake several times to get one (or way too many) toothpicks. This alternative design simplifies the interaction to the push of a button. When pushed, a connected lever arm grabs exactly one toothpick and pushes it through the "chimney".

These are your traditional household and office blinds. The drawstring is prone to twisting or snagging, and the blinds often fall unevenly unless the string is pulled at a circle angle.

This is a tape dispenser for double-sided tape. It reuses the design of a single-sided tape dispenser, but the exposed top is prone to dust collecting on top of it. This renders a significant portion of tape unusable.

The blue spoon (left) is a traditional Chinese soup spoon. Its hefty weight and short handle causes it to fall into the bowl very often. The white spoon (right) latches onto the rim of the bowl, preventing it from falling.