Puzzle Cube
Design Challenge

Puzzle Design Challenge Brief

Challenge:

Fine Office Furniture Inc. generates a significant amount of ¾” scrap hardwood cubes as a byproduct of their furniture manufacturing. This waste is not only a sustainability concern but also represents lost profit due to the valuable material.

Objective:

Design and develop a captivating 3D puzzle system made entirely from these scrap hardwood cubes. This system should not only be a fun and engaging desktop novelty item but also serve as a way to showcase the beauty and quality of the company's wood.

Target Audience:

The puzzle system should be accessible to a broad audience, with a difficulty level suitable for ages 3 and above. This means the design needs to be visually appealing, intuitive, and offer a satisfying sense of accomplishment upon completion.

Design Considerations:

• Functionality:

The puzzle system should be challenging yet solvable within a reasonable timeframe. Consider incorporating spatial reasoning, manipulation skills, and color recognition into the puzzle design. Aesthetics: Leverage the natural beauty of the wood. Explore options like

• Aesthetics:

Leverage the natural beauty of the wood. Explore options like staining or painting specific cubes to enhance the visual appeal.

• Sustainability:

Ensure the design minimizes waste and utilizes all available scrap wood cubes effectively.

• Production:

Develop a design that can be efficiently produced using the available scrap wood and minimal additional materials.

• Marketing Potential:

The puzzle system should act as a conversation starter, highlighting Fine Office Furniture's commitment to sustainability and high-quality materials.

Deliverables:

1. Detailed sketches or 3D models of the puzzle system design.
2. Prototype of the puzzle system.
3. Instructions for assembly and solution.

Success Criteria:

Project Design Criteria & Requirements

1. Material:

The puzzle must be constructed entirely from 27 individual ¾-inch wooden cubes.

2. Number of Pieces:

The puzzle should consist of exactly five distinct puzzle pieces.

3. Piece Composition:

Each individual puzzle piece must be comprised of precisely four to six of the ¾-inch wooden cubes.

4. Three-Dimensional Structure:

All puzzle pieces must be three-dimensional (3D), meaning they must have a minimum size of two cubes along each axis (x, y, and z).

5. Unique Designs:

No two puzzle pieces should be identical in design or layout. Each piece should be visually and structurally distinct.

6. Final Assembly:

When correctly assembled, the five puzzle pieces must combine to form a perfect 2 ¼-inch cube, which translates to a 3x3x3 configuration using individual cubes.

7. Interlocking Challenge:

To enhance the complexity, some puzzle pieces should incorporate interlocking mechanisms that could initially mislead or confuse users attempting to solve the puzzle.