Ideation

Throughout the last couple of days, our team brainstormed many ideas for the yo-yo concept and design. In the end, the most appealing ideas were roulette- and propeller-inspired yo-yos. To make a decision, we evaluated the possible designs, constraints, and challenges that each idea posed. For example, the propeller yo-yo requires a simpler design and structure, but we thought it wouldn’t be as aesthetically appealing, since it would only be a propeller and nothing else. We considered adding ‘wings’ to make the yo-yo look like an airplane, but it would increase the size of the yo-yo and affect its overall functionality.

On the other hand, the roulette idea provides more ground to be creative.  Looking at pictures of casino roulette wheels, we realized that a roulette-inspired yo-yo would be insanely beautiful. Of course, it will involve several challenges, such as the design of an assembly of different colors, which will also provide the function of rotation. Our rough concept is an injection-molded insert that creates the red and black slots for the ball to fall into, a gold centerpiece about which the roulette wheel rotates, and a mahogany frame on the outside.  In the end, we ended up deciding on the roulette idea, and gained substantial perspective on the challenges that this design involves.

Now, leaving the best for the last, we will introduce ourselves. From right to left: Justin Cheung (Sydney, Australia), Laura Jarin-Lipschitz (Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania), David D’Achiardi (Bogota, Colombia), Roger Lo (Trumbull, Connecticut), David Larson (San Diego, California), and Jose Linares (Bogota, Colombia).

Coming up next will be the preliminary CAD designs of our Roulette Yo-Yo: Yolette.

Posted by: Jose M. Linares and David D'Achiardi