Daniel Marshall developed a concept for a new stapler that reduces parts and materials. He created concepts and prototypes, then evaluated them. His selected concept was simple and improved upon existing staplers. After further prototyping and modeling, Daniel created a final design that is ergonomic, comfortable to hold, and features a button that neatly cuts and stitches paper together without using staples. The final presentation model was well received by his client.

1. Daniel Marshall
(BA) Product Design
Development of my product: The Stapler

2. The shape and form of ideas:
The purpose of producing a series of shapes and formations was to help me to
transform them into concepts.

3. Concept Development – Page 1:
The next few
pages feature
my concepts
designs,
drawings and
models. I will
then evaluate
and select one.

4. Concept Development – Page 2:

5. Concept Development – Page 3:
A lot of my ideas involved me
referring back to the existing
product, and focusing on its
function.

6. Concept Development – Page 4:

7. Concept Development – Page 5:

8. Matrix evaluation of ideas:
Product Functions 1 2 3 4 5
Few Parts ++ ++ ++ - ++
Few Materials + ++ ++ + ++
Disassembly ++ + ++ - ++
D.F.A. ++ + ++ O ++
No. Consumables + + + + +
Comfort ++ O ++ O O
Performance + O ++ + ++
Aesthetics + + + ++ ++
Size ++ O + ++ O
Unique shape and
form
+ O + ++ +
TOTAL 15/20 8/20 16/20 8/20 14/20
Number 3 is my selected concept,
purely because its simplistic, easy to
use and can be improved even greater
to meet its target market user.

9. Embodiment Design – Prototype Development:
Looking more into my selected concept, I have produced
models and prototypes to see how it will work, how it
looks and how it will reflect upon my market.
I initially looked
at ribs alone for
support, but as
shown even in
the model, it
isn’t strong
enough. The
design illustrates
how the ribs
would support
the sides.
Ribs AND bosses would be
an appropriate solution.
Injected pins in the top
layer would slide into
place and hold the
structure firmly, with the
ribbed walls distributing
the weight of the impact
from human interaction.

10. Embodiment Design – Prototype Development:
Mechanisms:
The prototype would be held together with the use of
the injected pins inside the bosses. The key element to
ensure the product is held together and easily assessable
is with the use of sliding clips.
Once clip is pressed simply open the shell to expose the
interior.

11. Embodiment Design – Prototype Development:
Button:
The initial product had
13 parts. I aim to half
that at least.
The button can be
reduced to 4 simple
components. To make
this more efficient, the
cutter will be made
longer to hold more
paper together.

12. Embodiment Design – Prototype Development:
Modelling:
Understanding how the product will work practically, I now need to look at the
aesthetics of my stapler.
Stage 1: Stage 2: Stage 3: Stage 4: Stage 5:

13. Embodiment Design – Prototype Development:
Positives:
• Strong structure.
• Comfortable to hold.
Negatives:
• Very bulky.
• Too much material use.
Model 2:
Positives:
• Neater body design.
• Comfortable to grip.
• Doesn’t take too much room.
Negatives:
• Large, unattractive button
exposed.
Model 1:

14. Embodiment Design – Prototype Development:
Positives:
• Ideal proportions, both button
and body.
• Comfortable.
Negatives:
• Sharp end.
• Slightly too small for some users.
Model 4:
Positives:
• Designed more ergonomically.
• Comfortable to use.
Negatives:
• Unusual shape, could be
improved.
Model 3:

15. Embodiment Design – Prototype Development:
Positives:
• Good design; comfortable, ergonomic and
suitable design wise.
• Features the staplless function inside and is
easier to handle the product.
Negatives:
• Opening the product may be difficult, so the
products interior hinge might have to be
removed and instead another sliding clip; this
however increases the product parts by one, but
the product is still only 6 parts.
Model 5:

16. Embodiment Design – Target Market Evaluation:
The Final product Positives Negatives Amendments
• I like the product, Its very
comfortable to hold.
• It looks really good style
wise.
• I like the idea of the
product and how I can use
it to reduce the use of
staples.
• Staples and other related
items such as a stapler
remover are no longer
necessary.
• It can only stitch a specific
number of pieces of paper
together.
• May not be as strong as a
staple for holding
documents.
• The idea of sliding clips
could make the final look
of the idea less appealing.
• The end of the stapler
could potentially be
harmful with its point.
• Ensure the end of the
stapler is safe.
• The back of the design
could also touch the table
surface instead of floating.
• Ensure the button doesn’t
catch fingers if pressed
inside; looks as if it could.
• Make sure its lightweight.
Upon selecting the final and most suited design concept, I referred back to my client to
have a one-on-one about it.

17. Embodiment Design – Amending the concept:
I have made
adjustments to the
design as shown:
• Rounder base.
• Grooves for
comfort when
holding.
• The location of
the sliding
clips; hidden
and will be
small.
Grooves designed
Clips located in the
curves nearer the
button component

18. Final Illustration of Product:

19. Functionality of product:
Here is the process of how the
button neatly cuts and stitches
the paper.

20. Exploded View of Product:
Number Name Material Process Quantity
1 Button Nylon Gas
assisted
injection
moulding
1
2 Cutter Steel Metal
Injection
Moulding
1
3 Spring Spring
steel
Spring
coiling
1
4 Screw Nickel
plated
steel
Heading,
threading
and
coating
1
5 Upper
body
Nylon Gas
assisted
injection
moulding
1
6 Bottom
body
Nylon Gas
assisted
injection
moulding
1
Bill Of Materials, (B.O.M.):
1.
2.
3.
5.
6.
4.

21. Photo’s of the Final Presentation Model:

22. Thank you for listening!