Improvement Project Proposal

Identify the Problem

The task is to create a project that will improve a chosen CTE class. It can be for any
CTE class, but it must be able to fit in the lockers in room 1514. The materials must either come
from room 2512 or 2514 or be provided by the student or teacher the project benefits.
Mrs. Sullivan needs something to help organize the writing utensils on her desk. It must
be efficient as to not take up too much space on her desk but have enough room to store her pens,
pencils, ruler, etc. The organizer must also be visually appealing.

Findings from Research

Marcusredden.com (n.d.). Cool Desk Organizers Vintage Desk Organizer DIY Desk Organizers
Pinterest. Retrieved from http://marcusredden.com/pict/.
 Some of the desk organizers have places for built in calendars
 Also have the built-in tape dispensers
 A lot have places for a phone or phone charger
 Some have holes drilled to hold one pen or pencil while others just have almost
like bins to hold a mass of writing utensils
 Most have a very minimal plan-looking appearance
 The second to last design could be cool to make, with a place for more pens and
pencils instead of the phone part

Papernstitchblog.com (n.d.). How to Make A Modern DIY Desk Organizer for Back to School
and Beyond. Retrieved from https://www.papernstitchblog.com/modern-diy-desk-
organizer/.
 Created a half planter and half desk organizer
 Increases the visual appeal of the organizer
 Leaves the wood unfinished (only sanded) for a more modern look
 About 8”x12”x5”
 Contains two compartments but one is taken up for the plant

Southernrevivals.com (n.d.). Back to School | DIY Pencil Desk Organizer. Retrieved from
https://www.southernrevivals.com/back-to-school-diy-pencil-desk-organizer/.
 Pencil shaped desk organizer
 Contains 7 holes that can fit about 3 to 4 pencils or pens
 Cut the 2x4 into the shape of the pencil and then sand it down
 Drill the holes for the pens and pencils and then paint the final product
 Tape can be used to help paint straight lines on the wood

All the utensils on Mrs. Sullivan’s desk must be organized and in one place on her desk.
In looking at a gallery of other previously constructed organizers, many have additional aspects
such as tape dispensers, drawers, calendars, note pads, etc. (Marcusredden.com, n.d.). According
to Paperstitchblog.com, an unfinished wood (only sanded) adds a modern look to desk
accessories. That same website also suggests adding a plant to one of the wells in the organizer
to give it a fresher look (n.d.). Lastly, there are some desk organizers that take on a specific
theme, such as a pencil shaped desk organizer (Southernrevivals.com, n.d.). There are many
different designs and looks that can be created for the desk organizer, but it is important to
consider what is important to the person who will using the finished product.

Plan of Action
Isometric View Top View

Left Side View Right Side View

Front View Block for Date x2

Block for Month x3 Organizer with Calendar Pieces Assembled

This desk organizer contains two compartments for organizing writing utensils, scissors,
rulers, etc. It also has another aspect of it that is a calendar. It will have two cube blocks for the
number portion of the date and three blocks for the month portion of the date. These can be
turned and flipped around to track the date throughout the year. The walls of the organizer are
0.25-inch-thick, so the organizer part can be made from plywood. Also, the part that holds the
calendar would be made from plywood as well. The blocks for the calendar part are thicker than
the walls of the organizer, so it would be better to make them out of a 2”x4”.
To cut the pieces, the table saw may have to be used depending on the original size of the
of the sheet of plywood. Once it is cut down into a reasonable size, the bandsaw can be used to
finalize the pieces. After the pieces are cut, they must be sanded to insure they are square and
smooth to the touch.
To assemble the pieces, it would be best to use wood glue. This is a better option than
nails or screws because the wood is so thin it would be hard to nail/screw them in the correct
place. Glue would be the only tool needed to assemble the organizer as the blocks just sit in the
organizer and are not attached to it.
Once the pieces are cut, sanded and assembled, the aesthetic of the organizer can be
improved. The wood blocks can be painted a solid color if desired and the numbers and months
must be added to the blocks. The organizer itself can be painted or stained if desired to make it
more visually appealing.
In order to create this project, the materials must be bought, cut, sanded, assembled, and
finished. It will take approximately one weekend to acquire the materials, three to four days to
cut the pieces, one day to sand, about two days to assemble the organizer, about two days to
finish/paint the organizer and one more day to dry. Overall, once the process is started, it will
take about two weeks to complete the project.
 References

Marcusredden.com (n.d.). Cool Desk Organizers Vintage Desk Organizer DIY Desk Organizers

Pinterest. Retrieved from http://marcusredden.com/pict/.

Papernstitchblog.com (n.d.). How to Make A Modern DIY Desk Organizer for Back to School

and Beyond. Retrieved from https://www.papernstitchblog.com/modern-diy-desk-

organizer/.

Southernrevivals.com (n.d.). Back to School | DIY Pencil Desk Organizer. Retrieved from

https://www.southernrevivals.com/back-to-school-diy-pencil-desk-organizer/.