INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT

For Submission

Creativity and Innovation (BM006-3.5-2)

(BM006-3.5-2)
CREATIVITY AND INOVATION – FAN UMBRELLA

Executive Summary

Umbrella is not only used during rain it’s also used on a daily basis in countries which has hot
weather. While using the umbrella in hot weather it still does not give you comfort around the
surrounding heat condition. In this assignment I have come up with an umbrella with an embedded
fan in it where it will give a constant breeze to the user. This breeze will let the users walk around
with umbrella with much more comfort regardless the heat around them.

By using a solar powered fan which store energy in AAA batteries I thought why not use that extra
energy for some other use. So I came up with the idea of a implementing a USB port within the
handle which can be used for charging.

When you have a USB port it open doors to other options as well. There are lot of devices which
are powered by USB these days like the USB Cooler or USB Warmer which is already in the
market.

This lead to increase in price of the base product. Which is why I came up with the idea to make
the umbrella modular. So it can fit everyone’s needs. So it became an umbrella which can
customized to the user’s needs.

The main target of this product will be warm weather countries and as well technological interested
people.

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Table of Contents
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 2

Part 1 ............................................................................................................................................... 5

Problem Statement ...................................................................................................................... 5

Competitor Analysis ................................................................................................................... 5

Objective Statement .................................................................................................................... 6

Part 2 ............................................................................................................................................... 6

Mind Map.................................................................................................................................... 6

Force Fitting Trigger ................................................................................................................... 8

Advantages .................................................................................................................................. 9

Disadvantages ............................................................................................................................. 9

Attribute Listing .......................................................................................................................... 9

Advantages ................................................................................................................................ 10

Disadvantages ........................................................................................................................... 10

Part 3 ............................................................................................................................................. 11

Product concept description ...................................................................................................... 11

Product Description .................................................................................................................. 12

Availability of Purchase ............................................................................................................ 12

Features ..................................................................................................................................... 12

Functions ................................................................................................................................... 13

Frequency of Use ...................................................................................................................... 13

Price .......................................................................................................................................... 14

Technologies ............................................................................................................................. 14

Part 4 ............................................................................................................................................. 15

Market Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 15

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Part 5 ............................................................................................................................................. 16

Force Field Analysis ................................................................................................................. 16

Outcome .................................................................................................................................... 16

Recommendations for Improvement......................................................................................... 17

Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 18

References ..................................................................................................................................... 19

Part 6 ............................................................................................................................................. 21

Appendices .................................................................................................................................... 21

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Part 1
Problem Statement

People use umbrellas to get shelter from rain and as well as the hot sun. In a hot day even though
you are carrying an umbrella and if there is no nice breeze it will still makes you sweat and feel
the heat waves coming from the roads and the surroundings.

Competitor Analysis

The 2 companies Yanko Designs and Shiu Yuk Yuen are competitor for my product since both
uses uniqueness and technologies in their umbrella. The umbrella are available to buy from online.

Company YANKO DESIGNS SHIU YUK YUEN

Name :
Product Air Umbrella Eco Brolly

(Park, 2010) (Yuen, 2008)

Uniqueness Battery Powered Use Recycle paper or

Portable plastic
User Air to Protect from Rain Portable

Technology High Speed air pumping Light weight

Battery powered Environment Friendly

Limitation Need to be charged Lightweight aluminum

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Objective Statement

The purpose of the umbrella is to provide user with a technological umbrella where the user can
have a nice breeze while walking in the sun as well as use it to satisfy other need.

Part 2

Mind Map

Mind map is thinking technique which helps you to analyze, synthesize, comprehend and generate
new ideas in a structured form (litemind.com, 2013)

180 RM 200 RM 43 Inch 35 Inch Solar Battery

100 RM
40 Inch
Price Size Power

Hot Countries
Aluminum

Titanimum Material Fan Umbrealla Market

Geeks
Water Proof
Polyester Fabric
Young
Plastic

White Fan
Colours Modules Design
Squar
Black
Cooler Mp3
Blue Charger
Pink Oval Round

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Outcomes

Outcome 1: Aluminium+RM180+40inch+battery+hot countries + oval + charger + blue

Outcome 2: Pink + Polyester Fabric+ RM180+ 35Inc+Battery+Young+Squar+Mp3

Outcome 3: Black + Polyester Fabric+ RM200 + 43Inch + Solar + Hot Countries + Round + Fan

Outcome 4: White + Aluminum + RM200 + 40 Inch + Solar + Geeks + Square + cooler

Evaluation

The best outcome from the above design techniques is outcome 3. It will create a Black colored
umbrella with round shape and water proof polyester fabric which will cost about RM180. As a
power source using solar panel to power the fan and can be targeted for Hot Countries where the
sun is shining bright. These feature are a reliable and a realistic implemented umbrella

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages
Easy to organize your thoughts
Easy to recall more information
Easy to Examine your ideas.
Help you make a better decision easily
Disadvantages
For logical thinking people difficult to
understand
Not suitable for recording more messy forms
of creative idea due to its structure
those who didn’t took part in the creation of a
mind map find it difficult to understand

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Force Fitting Trigger

Force fitting trigger is a technique which users people minds to spark off ideas. By using unrelated
object to the problem. To do this technique a user is required to get pictures or drawing of well-
known object and take down notes on which each picture or object represents. (Proctor, 2009)

Camel Flex Keyboard Rubix Cube

Sun Technology Complex

Heat USB Colorful
Travel Flexible Module
Sand Portable Toy
Water Unique Speed

Outcomes
Outcome 1: Water + Unique + Toy

Outcome 2: Travel + Technology + Module

Outcome 3: Heat + Portable + Colorful

Outcome 4: Travel + USB + Complex

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Evaluation

The best outcome from the above design techniques is outcome 2. An umbrella which is able to
use while travelling which is combined with technology and modules which helps you on the way
in more ways than 1.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages Disadvantages
Use different unrelated pictures to trigger new Not all triggered ideas are usable
ideas
Different types of attributes can be combined Attributes of each picture is limited
Hard to get attributes related

Attribute Listing

Attribute listing is technique which focus one’s mind on the main attributes or the problem of an
object and brainstorm on these main attributes or problems to creates its different outcomes (Godar
& Ferris, 2004)

Features Power Source Connectivity Shape Weight

Fan AAA Battery USB Square 500g
Cooler Solar Panel Bluetooth Oval 800g
USB Charge Lithium Battery Wi-Fi Round 900g

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Outcomes

Outcome 1: Fan + Solar Panel + Round + 800g = An Umbrella with a fan which is solar powered
round shape with a weight of 800g

Outcome 2: Cooler + AAA Battery + Square + 500g = An Umbrella with cooling feature which is
powered by AAA battery square shaped with a weight of 500g

Outcome 3: USB Charger + Lithium Battery + USB = An Umbrella with USB Charger which is
powered by Lithium Battery connectivity with USB

Evaluation

The best outcome for the above is outcome 1. Which is an umbrella which has the feature of a fan
to cool you when the weather is hot and powered by sun using solar panel so no extra charging is
required with a round shape or round which umbrellas normally have and a weight of 800g. All
these feature fit for a daily use umbrella.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages Disadvantages
Easy to improvement over complicated Amount of time required

products
Good technique to be combined with other Limited creative thinking
methods like brainstorming.
Useful with physical objects Wen doing in teams people get easily bored
due to time consuming
Highly balanced style

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Part 3
Product concept description

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Product Description

This unique umbrellas is designed to give a nice breeze while walking in the sun. The shade itself
does not give you a breeze while walking in the sun with an umbrella. So I have designed an
umbrella with solar powered so that no recharge is required. And also if there is a power source
why not use it for other functions as well. The power source also eliminates some of the limitation
of the competitive umbrellas which uses rechargeable batteries to be charged frequently. By using
solar panel it also considered as an environmental friendly product. The weight of the umbrella
will be balanced and if the fan is on the user will feel that the umbrella is a bit light while caring
it. Some of the key function and feature are listed below.

Availability of Purchase

This umbrella will be available to the Middle East countries and the countries with hot climate
around the world. The first launch of this product can be in India and Sri Lanka were a lots of
people carry umbrellas to be covered from sun due to the heat. If the product is a good success can
be expanded to other countries with hot climate like Maldives, Malaysia and countries which are
near the equator. Additional modules will be added depending on the Market needs. And also this
umbrella will target most of the technical gadget lovers. Different modules can be available for
different regions depending on the cultural requirements.

Features
Default features with the basic purchase is as below

- Foldable flexible fan which can be foldable

- Solar powered
- USB port to charge Phone
- AAA rechargeable battery to store solar power

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- Safety net from the fan

Extended modules are sold separate due to the price increase of the base product. These include
the following features

- Cup holder
- Cup cooler/heater
- Mp3 support
- Types of handles
- Self-stand or hand module for the top
- Backup version

Additional modules can be created with the customer’s feedback and requirements.

Functions

The basic function of the umbrella will be the foldable flexible fan which gives the nice breeze
like a USB table fan which is commonly used with the computer. The safety net will provide safety
from the rotating fan for accidently touching the blades whiles it’s spinning. Don’t need to recharge
since its can use the power solar power to be recharged. But if needed be that all batteries are
drained out user have the option to charge with a charger or replace the battery with new batteries.
Phones iPod or other USB devices can be recharged with the implemented USB port which is in
the handles. This will be using the solar energy.

Frequency of Use

This umbrella can be used during hot weather and rain as well. So the umbrella will be used very
common during afternoons and rainy days.

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Price

Price is calculated by dividing the umbrella common parts like solar fabric, canopy, fan, frame and
the batteries.

Cost of the canopy and the frame will be estimated at RM40, AAA Rechargeable battery set
around RM20, Flexible solar panel cost is around RM60, Flexible fan cost is around RM20 and
the cost of production per umbrella will be around another RM30.

So the total cost of basic umbrella will be estimated around RM150-190.

Addition modules will be sold and charged separately.

Cooler/Warmer estimated at RM80

Self-stand modules estimated at RM20

MP3 Module estimated at RM10-60 depending on how much storage needed.

Backpack handle estimated at RM30

Different shapes of handle estimated at RM10-50 depending on the style.

Technologies

The main technologies used in the umbrella will be the solar powered fan and also the rechargeable
batteries which are charged from the solar as well. The other technology used will be the USB port
one of the most commonly used port in Technological fields. By using this port and function future
expansion can be implemented in the umbrella. The modular function allows the technical users
to be more creative and allows them to innovate the umbrella even further for their own
requirements.

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Part 4

Market Analysis
Gender Male and Female
Product is designed for male and female since
technology is not only loved by a specific gender
Between 18-40 years old
This product will be popular among young people
since it has MP3 and cooler fan technologically can
Age Group
be expended over time with new modules
RM4000 and above

Purchasing Power (RM) The recommended range is because of the

technologies included its relatively expense
compared to normal umbrella
Occupation This product is for adults and people with
technology interest
Geographically is mostly recommended with
countries with hot climates. Mostly all the countries
which is near the equators like (Maldives, India,
Country
Africa, Arab Countries and Malaysia)

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Part 5

Force Field Analysis

Force Field Analysis is a technique that shows entire view of restricting factors and derives
factors for idea.

Before recommendation

Restricting Factors Derived Factors

weight (-5) Uses a solar fabric (+3)

Cannot leave at any Automatically recharge

Fan Umbrella
place (-3) with solar (+4)

Price (-2) Additional Modules

warranty (-2) available (+5)

Not Feasible for Easy to use (+2)

Thunder storms (-2) Can charge phones (+2)

Outcome

Restricting Factor: - 5 - 3 - 2 - 2 - 2 = -14

Derived Factor: 3 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 14
Total Score of the Diagram = 0

After doing FFA the products gets a total score of 0.

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Recommendations for Improvement

After conducting interview with lectures a few recommendation were made.

1- Is to reduce weight of the umbrella while carrying.

2- Include warranty on the product since it has electronics.

Addressing the above limitation to reduce the weigh while carrying the umbrella, I have
included a RPM (Rotation per minute) adjustable button for the fan. This can control
the speed which the fan can rotate. This will not be much reduction on weight but still
the user will feel a bit lightweight while carrying the umbrella with a higher RPM.

Initially umbrella has no warranty so as per recommendation I have decided to sell the
umbrella with 2 years of warranty.

After recommendation

Restricting Factors Derived Factors

weight (-3) Uses a solar fabric (+3)

Cannot leave at any Fan Umbrella Automatically recharge

place (-3) with solar (+4)

Price (-2) Additional Modules

warranty (+2) available (+5)

Not Feasible for Easy to use (+2)

Thunder storms (-2) Can charge phones (+2)

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Outcome

Restricting Factor: - 3 - 3 - 2 + 2 - 2 = -8
Derived Factor: 3 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 14
Total Score of the Diagram = + 6

After making the recommended changes the value of weigh and warranty has changed. Now the
total FFA score for the product is a + 6.

Conclusion

The Umbrella is unique in feature and design. An umbrella with a fan will be acceptable with the
societies with hot weather very easily. The competitors will have a hard time competing with a
product that can evolve with new technologies and new design which may come into the market.

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References
courseware change2 IT, 2010. Disadvantages of Mind Mapping. [Online]
Available at: http://multitrain.fh-joanneum.at/courses/mod3/modul_3.3_T09.html
[Accessed 20 July 2013].

Godar, S. H. & Ferris, S. P., 2004. Virtual and Collaborative Teams: Process, Technologies and
Practice. - ed. United States of America: Idea Group Publishing.

HubPages Inc, 2013. 4 Advantages of Mind Mapping. [Online]

Available at: http://troym.hubpages.com/hub/4-Advantages-of-Mind-Mapping
[Accessed 01 August 2013].

litemind.com, 2013. What is Mind Mapping?. [Online]

Available at: http://litemind.com/what-is-mind-mapping/
[Accessed 1 August 2013].

Morgan, M., 1993. Creating Workforce Innovation: Turning Individual Creativity Into
Organizational Innovation. illustrated ed. Sydney: Allen & Unwin, Limited.

Park, J. S., 2010. Try Air To Stay Dry. [Online]

Available at: http://www.yankodesign.com/2010/01/12/try-air-to-stay-dry/
[Accessed 20 July 2013].

Proctor, T., 2009. Creative Problem Solving for Managers: Developing skills for decision
making and innovation. 3rd Edition ed. Canada: Routledge.

Rawlinson, G. & Straker, D., 2011. How to Invent (Almost) Anything. - ed. s.l.:David Straker and
Graham Rawlinson.

Treffinger, D. J., 2008. Educational Leadership. [Online]

Available at: http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-
leadership/summer08/vol65/num09/Preparing-Creative-and-Critical-Thinkers.aspx#toolbox
[Accessed 20 July 2013].

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Yuen, S. Y., 2008. SHIUDESIGN. [Online]

Available at: http://shiuyukyuen.com/eco%20brolly.html
[Accessed 20 July 2013].

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Part 6

Appendices

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