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Tasks are self-assigned. Simply select what you want to work on and get to work. Please follow our Work Protocol.
If you don’t see a task aligned with your skill sets or if you have any questions, please contact us - we can always schedule a call and walk you through.
Task 1: Solar Product Benchmarking & Trend Report
Objective: Investigate the current landscape of solar-powered consumer products to understand what’s working, what’s trending, and where gaps exist in the market.
Details:
Research at least 10 products across categories: home (solar garden lights, solar blinds), portable (solar backpacks, phone chargers), and commercial (solar carports, signage).
Examine functionality, form factor, portability, durability, aesthetics, price point, and target users.
Evaluate what makes each product successful or lacking in terms of user experience and design language.
Include at least 3 visual trendboards (Material trends, UX/UI, Aesthetic design directions).
Deliverables:
PDF report (5–7 pages)
Competitive landscape matrix (Excel or Google Sheets)
3 moodboards
Timeline: 7 days
Skills Developed: Product analysis, market scanning, trend identification
Task 2: Concept Ideation – Next-Gen Solar Accessory
Objective: Imagine and design a consumer-friendly product that integrates solar technology into everyday life.
Details:
Brainstorm 3–5 potential products that can integrate solar functionality seamlessly (e.g., solar-powered picnic table, solar-integrated e-bike basket, or urban solar lamp post).
Focus on ease of use, sustainability, and mass manufacturability.
Consider materials, dimensions, solar cell integration, and placement in real-world scenarios.
Develop user personas and design for their needs.
Deliverables:
Sketches of all initial ideas
1 refined concept with callouts and annotations
User flow scenario or mini-storyboard (how the user interacts with it over a day)
Timeline: 10 days
Skills Developed: Ideation, user-centered design, sketching, scenario mapping
Task 3: Materials Research for Sustainable Housing Integration
Objective: Identify and compare eco-friendly, durable, and cost-effective materials suitable for solar housing and infrastructure.
Details:
Focus on materials used for mounting, framing, and casing solar systems.
Research materials like bamboo composites, recycled aluminum, polycarbonate, bioplastics, or thermally modified wood.
Rank them based on sustainability score (carbon impact, recyclability), weather resistance, visual appeal, and cost.
Include product examples where those materials have already been used.
Deliverables:
6–8 material sample sheets
Comparative chart (performance vs. sustainability vs. cost vs. aesthetics)
Mini PDF presentation or infographic
Timeline: 6 days
Skills Developed: Materials science, comparative analysis, eco-design
Task 4: Solar Panel Aesthetic Redesign Challenge
Objective: Develop creative concepts to redesign solar panels that are both functional and visually compatible with modern architecture.
Details:
Propose 3 variations of panel design with different textures, tints, forms, or integration methods (e.g., solar shingles, frameless glass designs).
Study architecture trends (minimalist, modern, Mediterranean, etc.) and align panel design aesthetics accordingly.
Consider urban integration, modularity, and visibility from the street.
Deliverables:
Sketches of 3 variations
1 polished rendering (SketchUp, Rhino, Fusion360, or hand-drawn and digitally enhanced)
User scenario diagram showing placement and how it blends into surroundings
Timeline: 8 days
Skills Developed: Aesthetic design, architectural integration, visual storytelling
Task 5: User-Centric Mounting System Improvement
Objective: Redesign a solar panel mounting system to be more intuitive, faster to install, and visually seamless.
Details:
Analyze pain points of current mounting systems by reviewing instructional videos or manuals from brands like IronRidge, Unirac, or Tesla Solar.
Reimagine the system to support DIY or semi-professional installers (no need for high-level technical tools).
Focus on tool-less design, snap-fit, or modular approaches.
Present 2 innovative mounting ideas with exploded view illustrations.
Deliverables:
Pain point breakdown (bullet points or diagrams)
2 redesign concepts (sketched and annotated)
Design-for-assembly checklist: number of tools, steps, materials, and user safety considerations
Timeline: 7 days
Skills Developed: DFM (design for manufacturing), ergonomics, systems thinking
Task 6: Portable Solar Product Design for Emergencies
Objective: Create a compact, multi-functional solar-powered device for emergency and disaster relief situations.
Details:
Design must be compact, lightweight, weather-resistant, and include multiple functionalities (e.g., flashlight, power bank, radio, water sterilizer).
Research FEMA, Red Cross, and other relief kits to understand what’s commonly used and needed.
Emphasize fast solar charging and power efficiency.
Consider packaging for humanitarian distribution.
Deliverables:
Concept sketches
Exploded-view diagram (components, solar placement, modular parts)
Bill of materials (hypothetical, basic)
User persona and scenario map (e.g., single mother in rural storm zone)
Timeline: 9 days
Skills Developed: Crisis design, compact product architecture, humanitarian impact
Task 7: Visual Identity Alignment Study
Objective: Ensure that new Insolar product designs align with brand personality, mission, and visual consistency.
Details:
Analyze Insolar’s existing brand touchpoints (website, colors, fonts, tone, and product images).
Identify the brand’s core design values (e.g., minimal, eco-friendly, tech-forward).
Create a “Mini Brand Style Guide for Hardware” including shape language, recommended finishes, interface suggestions, and iconography style.
Evaluate the alignment of one new product idea (from previous tasks) against the brand.
Deliverables:
Mini style guide (5–6 slides)
1-page evaluation scorecard for design alignment
Recommendations for improvement or consistency
Timeline: 5 days
Skills Developed: Brand systems, consistency analysis, style mapping