Designing Functional, Sustainable, Aesthetic PC cases

“There is no more creativity left in the PC case industry”

- Daniel Cannon, Founder of Singularity Computers

Abstract

This research explores the Desktop Personal Computer (PC) market, with a focus on the design and innovation of PC cases. The study identifies a significant gap in creativity and sustainable practices within the industry, dominated by incremental technological updates and the ubiquitous use of RGB lighting. The research aims to address this gap by proposing a PC case design that hinges on sustainable design techniques and sustainably sourced timber along with the innovative use of a Living hinge. This is achieved comprehensive market analysis, field research and lab experimentation. Exclusive Insights from industry experts underscore the potential for unique, high-quality designs that challenge the status quo. This research culminates in the iterative design of a fully functioning PC case that embodies key the principle of sustainability through the thoughtful use of design techniques such as, Design for End User, Design for sustainability, Design for disassembly and end of life. The success of this outcome is evaluated using qualitative data from end user participant research and quantitative tests of carbon footprint and cooling capability. The PC case offers an aesthetically striking sustainable alternative in a market saturated with standard black boxes and back boxes with RGB. The study's findings have the potential to significantly influence future PC case designs and the broader field of Gaming hardware design, pushing the industry towards more sustainable and creative solutions.

Functional

The design Process for this PC cases follows a adapted function over form design philosophy where we don’t just prioritise function over form but also sustainability. The design Carefully considers what is the core function of pc case, that being to hold the components in an adequately cooled unit. but beyond that we have some sub functions that are just as important. Usability, manufacturability play a key role in the quality of a PC case. Therefor this design has at ever stage evaluated and made design decisions according to Design for Manufacturing, Design for Assembly and design for end user.

The design features a unique Living Hinge out shell that wraps around the top of the PC case. not only is this visually unique but it enhances the PC cases function by allowing for tooless entry into the case.The shell conveniently connects magnetically and can also be told an d attached at the top of the case while open to avoid a bulky annoying glass/metal panel like many PC cases

Sustainable

As mentioned Sustainability is a huge key to this project. when looking at the PC market or even just gaming hardware on a whole, its clear sustainability isnt even an after thought, it just simple isnt thought of at all. Astonishingly, across the top 15 PC case manufacturers you cannot find the word sustainable.

This PC case wants to break that trend by making the case entirely out of Hardwood and plywood making it carbon negative in materiality due to the carbon capture of timber. The timber is all sustainably sourced as to not contribute to Forrest logging and the LaserPLy used if Formaldehyde free and laminated with E0 certified glue.

Beyond this the PC case also has a very thoughtful approach to end of life which is also a huge part of sustainability. The PC case can be assembled and disassembled entirely with a household philips screw driver. It is the first of its kind to hold such property. this means all not timber hardware can be easily separated and reused or recycled and the timber components can be all recycled together as Grade B recyclable materials.

Aesthetic

While not considered as important in this project, Aesthetics still hold much significance in the way we interact with objects. A distinctly unique case like this that innovates in function and sustainability would not have much impact if it simply blended into the background with other cases. No this case needed to stand out for better or worse. Whether you like it or not I’m sure you will have an opinion on it, I’m sure that if you walked past it it would catch your eye and you’d want to find out more

Market insight:

Across australia’s biggest PC retailers over 80% of PC cases slot into the categories of a Black box or a black box with RGB. and just 7% and only 1 mainstream company incorporated any sort of timber feature. these 7% all feature on the first to pages for most popular on ‘Centre.com’s website.

The Pc case industry is expected to double over the next 3 years along with the steady growth of Gaming and more specifically PC gaming

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