1

Evaluating designs : Five-in-one Power Pack

The image
 2

Design Solution & Functions

A Portable Charger, Ultra Slim USB C Power Bank, 4 Output Dual Input External Battery Pack with
Built-in AC Wall Plug, Built in Micro and USB C Three Cables Compatible with All mobilephone. It is
compatible with Samsung and Apple smart phones. The connect types are USB, USB Type C,
Micro-USB. Battery capacity is 10,000 milliamp Hours.
Dimensions are : 6.3 x 3 x 0.6 inches (rectangular in Shape).
Key features :: Products with electrical plugs are designed for use in the US. Outlets and voltage
differ internationally and this product may require an adapter or converter for use in different
countries. The signal lights of power stored in the device are highlighted in the “triangle” in
the picture above.
Design solutions : Combining charger, power pack and power storage in a small portable
device with various connectors
Functions : It is a charger, powerpack and power bank for charging mobile phone or to drive
portable electrical devices.

Design Principles
The employed design principles are :
a) Affordances: The device was designed to look like a smart phone (either Samsung or
Apple brands). Thus the users can easily associate it with the application of smart phones.
The retailers can easily put the devices on the same categories as smart phone
accessories, which can help market the products to smart phone users.
b) Constraints. The USB connectors can easily fit into Samsung or Apple smart phones
(USB Type C, Micro-USB). Its another USB connector can fit into other electronic devices.
These connectors can easily fit into appropriate devices, saving the users’ time to try to fit
in.
c) Feedback and mapping. The signal light (highlighted in triangle) shows the percentage of
power stored during charging. As more power is stored, more lights (4 in total) will be on.
This gives a good feedback to the user that the device is being charged (when connected to
the power source), and signals to the user, how much power is stored in the device, so
that the user can plan how long it can be used with his mobile phones.
d) Consistency – the power stored (maximum: 10,000 milliamp Hours) is consistent in
supporting different smart phones (of different models or brands). Thus users need not
worry about problems in their device connections and duration of device usage.

These video and articles provide supports for the principles used by the device, with
regard to
1) Affordance – its external appearance provides easy recognition of its use.
2) Feedback- device provides indication of light (on when the device is connected to a power
source during charging, and off when not being charged)
3) Mapping – a relationship between control and effect – the light (4 in total) showing power
 3

stored during charging.

4) Constraints – limits to an interface. It can be connected to devices which can fit to its
connectors.
5) Consistency – different smart phone models will be charged similarly as long as it
fits to the connectors.