Davis p. 203, #5

Ways to change or improve upon a product....

Object:  Travel scrapbook paper carry case- a plastic case with a handle that has 10 folders inside that open "accordion style"

Ideas for improvement:
Put to other uses- It could be used to store pictures if it were a smaller size.  It could also hold stickers.

Adapt- At Staples/Office Depot/other office supply stores, there are file folders like this that are a size that hold standard 8x11 papers.  It suggests a method of paper storage that is collapsible so papers are sorted, but don't take up lots of room.

Modify- If the bottom were mobile and not stationary, it could hold more things. If the outside material were different (hard plastic) it would make it easier to close.

Magnify- If the above modification (mobile bottom) happened, a clasp/tie on the sides would help to maintain the initial goal to keep things tightly together to save space.  More slots could be added on the inside for more types of paper.  Canvas could be used instead of flimsy plastic to make it more durable.

Minify- On the other hand, there could be no slots for paper.  There could be inserts of chipboard that were folders to hold papers to keep them flat.  Or, again, if it were a smaller size overall, it would have different applications for holding pictures or stickers.

Substitute- Instead of having a travel case for scrapbook paper, I could have shelves that were stationary on a bookcase.  Or, if canvas over a different type of plastic were used for the outside, it would be easier to close and open.  Perhaps a different type of clasp- one that had a loop around a button instead of having to put the plastic piece through the hole and turn it.

Rearrange- It would make a different type of case if the openings for the paper were on the side instead of the top.  It could have two sides to it, back to back to store twice as much paper.

Reverse- Instead of having the accordion folders inside, the top could be taken off, exposing the paper and allowing it to be accessed easier.  There is a small pocket inside the back- it could be put on the outside so its contents can be reached.

Combine- A case could be created that had larger files for large paper in the back, and smaller files for pictures in the front, allowing storage for both paper and pictures.  The bottom could be made mobile and instead of fixed accordion files there could be assorted sizes of chipboard files or cardstock files to hold different sized materials.

Rationale
I use this carrying case for my scrapbook paper to keep it flat and to sort it to easily find what I need.  I like the fact that this case is good for traveling, however, the type of hard plastic that the outside is made of is difficult to maneuver.  This type of plastic is not very malleable making it difficult to move when looking at the paper inside; it is also difficult to close the clasp because of the type of plastic used on the outside case.  This case does provide ample space for different types of paper and I would like to find a smaller case of similar design for storage of my photos so that I may sort them as I work on scrapbooks and can easily find what I need as I work.