I had a full week to work on my submission, as everything else had been done up to this point. I started by sketching some instruction manual ideas based on some I found while researching. I also had an excellent general layout idea from a manual given to me by my lecturers.
I had some sketches exploring the charging of my device. How would it charge, how would it indicate the charge, how long would it take? I decided on a device charging time of 3 hours, which would probably equate to about 12 hours of use. I also explored how I would display controls on the manual.
From here, I took to photoshop to create a general layout and start sketching the manual. I wanted to go with an 8 fold manual, so I designed the upper left corner to be shown on the front.
Blue seemed to be a default colour for manuals, but I changed it later to purple. This is because purple feels like more of a 'Music' colour to me, and I see it matching the device better.
This manual has 4 sections. Start-up, Charging, App Connection, and General Use. I wanted to use as few words as possible to standardize the product for any user. However, I decided to use English words in the 'General Use' section as the terms would need to be said to use the product.
Section Features
Start-up
Parts that come with the device
Serial number
Barcode
App QR code/Website download
Company Name
Charging
How to connect the device to the charger
Showing the charging port
Time to charge
App Connection
How to take the device off charge
Using Bluetooth to connect to a phone
General Use
Using voice commands
Moving to generate a tune
Viewing track or section
Editing beat
Back button
It was great that I had previously done a 3d model. I noticed more instruction manuals have very clean or realistic graphics, so I intended to trace. I would find images off the internet or move my 3d model in TinkerCAD and take a screenshot.
Starting Development
All sourced images will have links in the references at the bottom.
I used Photoshop's ruler lines to ensure that everything was placed evenly. I changed the colours to purple tones, and I traced/sourced some images.
Content
Person Icon Charging plug Front of Device
Generated QR code Generated Barcode
I decided to extend the length of the white panel on the side. I realised the labelling doesn't need much room. Also, it is essential to show the required parts.
Content
Hand reference Bluetooth Icon
I decided to move the depiction of mounted the device to the charging step. It didn't seem crucial to have in the Bluetooth step, and I had extra space.
Content
Stop Icon Piano Icon Soundwave Icon Note Icon
Final Design
After printing out the final design, I used an Exacto knife to trim the edges. The folds I used were a half fold than an accordion fold.
Image References
Akveo. (n.d.). Person Free Icon [Icon]. icon-icons. https://icon-icons.com/icon/person/110935
BlueTooth. (2020). BlueTooth Icon [Icon]. Pinterest. https://www.pinterest.nz/pin/506795764308344905/
Deadklok. (n.d.). Black Music Soundwave Icons Set [Icon]. VectorStock. https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/black-music-soundwave-icons-set-vector-2090986
Kindersley, D. (n.d.). Making a fist, side view [Photograph]. Alamy. https://www.alamy.com/making-a-fist-side-view-image216121249.html
Kogan. (2020). Kogan SmarterHome™ Smart Plug With Energy Meter [Photograph]. Dick Smith. https://www.dicksmith.co.nz/dn/buy/kogan-smarterhome-smart-plug-energy-meter/
Maximmmmum. (n.d.). Set of Musical Instrument Icons [Icon]. VectorStock. https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/set-of-musical-instrument-icons-vector-3417690
Online Barcode Generator. (2020). Barcode.tec-it. https://barcode.tec-it.com/en
QR Code Generator. (2020). The QR Code Generator. https://www.the-qrcode-generator.com/
Stop [Icon]. (2013, June 10). Wikipedia. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stop.svg
WoodWallMonograms. (2020). Wood Music Notes - Music Note Shape [Icon]. Etsy. https://www.etsy.com/nz/listing/593371770/10-wood-music-notes-music-note-shape