05 · 2025

Circular Clock Radio

From analysis to circular design: a clock radio that is repairable and sustainable.

Circular Clock Radio

Role

Group project, analysis and design improvement

Year

April 2025 — June 2025

Tools

SolidWorks · Material research · Design guidelines

Context

Design engineering period 4, technical and sustainability aspects of consumer products.

The assignment

The assignment was to analyze and redesign an existing product (a clock radio) from a circular design perspective.

The challenge was to improve the product's sustainability by focusing on:

  • Repairability
  • Modularity
  • Material use and environmental impact

The design also had to be supported by various analysis methods and translated into concrete design improvements.


The result

The result is a substantiated redesign of a clock radio, significantly improving the product's circularity. My focus was on:

  • Analyzing the product and identifying repairability issues
  • Developing a design proposal with better accessibility and replaceability of parts
  • Supporting material choices with a performance index
Material choice well researched and argumentation is well described. You made the translation to what this means for the product by applying design guidelines in your design.
Fieke Schulten – Branderhorst (IPO Lecturer)

The design resulted in

A clock radio where key parts are easy to remove An improvement in repairability score from 3.5 to 7.5 A material choice (PLA) that reduces CO₂ emissions A visually developed concept with models and posters


Approach & my role

This project was carried out in a group of three, each member developing their own design direction within the theme of circularity. My role:

  • Conducting product analyses and identifying repairability issues
  • Choosing and developing an innovation opportunity focused on repairability
  • Supporting design choices with methods such as the performance index
  • Developing the design in sketches and digital models
  • Creating a visual poster presentation of my concept

My approach

Analyzing the current clock radio (structure, materials, use) Identifying problems with hard-to-replace parts Developing a design where parts can be removed without tools Applying material analysis for more sustainable choices Iterating based on feedback and improving the design My focus was on translating analysis into concrete, feasible design improvements.


A strong answer to the brief

This project is a strong answer to the brief because:

  • The design demonstrably improves the product's repairability
  • Circularity is considered through material and design choices
  • The product is easier to disassemble and repair
  • All design choices are supported by analyses and methods
  • Able to conduct product analyses and translate them into design improvements
  • Understanding of circular design and sustainability
  • Able to support technical and material choices
  • Able to independently develop a design part within a group project
  • Able to reflect on my own process and collaboration
Circular Clock Radio — 1
Opstellen van een Procesboom
Circular Clock Radio — 3
Werken met Edupack Eco Audit
Circular Clock Radio — 5
Innovatiekans uitgewerkt in een poster
Circular Clock Radio — 2
Materiaalselectie aan de hand van Granta Edu Pack
Circular Clock Radio — 4
Opstellen van een bronnenlijst volgens de APA-richtlijnen