Chess Set

Duration

Date

5 Weeks

Spring '24

The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page

Design goals

The objective for designing this chess set was to create a cohesive family of form that was pared back and elegant while having instantly recognizable pieces for ease of play. It was designed to draw users in by creating a form that was effortlessly picked up and held in hand.

Skills

Design visualization
Fusion 360
Low fidelity modeling
Woodworking
Blender (Animation)
Keyshot

Design Goals

The objective for designing this chess set was to create a cohesive family of form that was pared back and elegant while having instantly recognizable pieces for ease of play. It was designed to draw users in by creating a form that was effortlessly picked up and held in hand.

The objective for designing this chess set was to create a cohesive family of form that was pared back and elegant while having instantly recognizable pieces for ease of play. It was designed to draw users in by creating a form that was effortlessly picked up and held in hand.

Skills

Design Visualization
Fusion 360
Keyshot
Blender (Animation)
Wood Working

Design Visualization
Fusion 360
Keyshot
Blender (Animation)
Wood Working

Inspiration and Resources

The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page

Inspiration

Insperation

Family of forms

This artwork, a simple yet compelling stack of tape, inspired the design of my chess set, particularly its focus on creating a cohesive family of forms. The stacked elements informed my exploration of unity in shape and structure, leading to a design where each piece is distinct yet visually connected.

This artwork, a simple yet compelling stack of tape, inspired the design of my chess set, particularly its focus on creating a cohesive family of
forms. The stacked elements informed my exploration of unity in shape and structure, leading to a design where each piece is distinct
yet visually connected.

This artwork, a simple yet compelling stack of tape, inspired the design of my chess set, particularly its focus on creating a cohesive family of forms. The stacked elements informed my exploration of unity in shape and structure, leading to a design where each piece is distinct yet visually connected.

Learning about affordance

From "The Design of Everyday Things," I gained an understanding of affordance in design—how an object’s form communicates its function. These insights shaped my chess set design, ensuring that each piece not only looked unique but also intuitively conveyed its role and movement on the board.

From "The Design of Everyday Things," I gained an understanding of affordance in design—how an object’s form communicates its function. These insights shaped my chess set design, ensuring that each piece not only looked unique but also intuitively conveyed its role and movement
on the board.

From "The Design of Everyday Things," I gained an understanding of affordance in design—how an object’s form communicates its function. These insights shaped my chess set design, ensuring that each piece not only looked unique but also intuitively conveyed its role and movement on the board.

The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page

Analyzing classic chess sets

To inform my design decisions, I observed how someone interacts with a traditional chess set—specifically how they pick up and move the pieces. This analysis revealed key insights into the ergonomics and user experience of chess play. I noticed the importance of balance, the weight of the pieces, and how easily they could be grasped and repositioned.

To inform my design decisions, I observed how someone interacts with a traditional chess set—specifically how they pick up and move the pieces. This analysis revealed key insights into the ergonomics and user experience of chess play. I noticed the importance of balance, the weight of the pieces, and how easily they could be grasped and repositioned.

The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page

Initial thumbnail sketches

When exploring my initial forms ideation I kept in mind how the users would pick up each piece. having pieces that fit nicely in the hands of the players elevates the playing experience and makes the chess set enjoyable to play.

When exploring my initial forms ideation I kept in mind how the users would pick up each piece. having pieces that fit nicely in the hands of the players elevates the playing experience and makes the chess set enjoyable to play.

The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page

Low Fidelity Models

Through creating low-fidelity models of the chess set, I gained valuable insights into the overall proportions and visual balance of each piece. This hands-on experimentation allowed me to refine the design, particularly by adjusting the size and arrangement of the rings. By creating a clearer hierarchy of information, I enhanced the visual cues that guide players, making the set more intuitive and easier to navigate during gameplay.

Through creating low-fidelity models of the chess set, I gained valuable insights into the overall proportions and visual balance of each piece. This hands-on experimentation allowed me to refine the design, particularly by adjusting the size and arrangement of the rings. By creating a clearer hierarchy of information, I enhanced the visual cues that guide players, making the set more intuitive and easier to navigate during gameplay.

The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page

Observing User Interactions

I observed how users picked up and moved the pieces of my low-fidelity chess set models. This provided valuable insights into proportions, weight, and handling. Users preferred a less drastic but still chamfered top, which helped me refine the design for better comfort and usability while maintaining the intended overall forms.

I observed how users picked up and moved the pieces of my low-fidelity chess set models. This provided valuable insights into proportions, weight, and handling. Users preferred a less drastic but still chamfered top, which helped me refine the design for better comfort and usability while maintaining the intended overall forms.

The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page

Hierarchy of Information Adjustments

Fine tuned form that was modeled in Fusion 360 to determine the best way to express hierarchy of individual pieces. Moving the rings into three tiers allowed for a clear understanding of the relationship between the different tiers of power each piece holds.

Fine tuned form that was modeled in Fusion 360 to determine the best way to express hierarchy of individual pieces. Moving the rings into three tiers allowed for a clear understanding of the relationship between the different tiers of power each piece holds.

The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page

Final orthographic drawing

The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page
The image featured in the middle of the about us page

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