W1: Reimagining Everyday Objects

360U: Umbrella with Total Coverage and Convenient Compressibility

Umbrellas are handy devices that are to aid in guarding the user against harsh weather conditions like sunlight and rain. They are used in every corner of the world and most people wouldn't even leave the house without it. A typical umbrella these days is made of a round fabric or plastic that is supported by a folding structure that extends from the central pole. This allows the umbrella to open and close easily, which also allows a degree of convenient portability when not being used. 

As useful as they are, they are sometimes still bulky and difficult to close or need to dry after being used in the rain. There is also the issue of the wind blowing or destroying the umbrella. This redesign will strive to solve these problems and improve it's functionality while maintaining a sense of creativity and aesthetic.

How to use 360U and it's features

The umbrella, when not in use, will appear as a small disk-shaped object with a button on top. There is also a plastic casing on top of said button to prevent accidental expansion of the umbrella. It would be the shape and size of a compact mirror, so it's easy to slip into a bag or pocket. The material used for the main umbrella and the 360 cover is a light hydrophobic fabric that's not too heavy. This is the same case fort he metal. It's slightly flexible and light.

When the user would like to use the umbrella, simply open the casing, aim the button to directly face them parallel and push the button. The umbrella will decompress and can be used against sunlight or light rain. When in need of the 360 cover for heavy downpour, the user can press another small button located on the hand guard to enable the function. A covering will unfold from the umbrella and curtain the person in a cylinder of clear plastic. It can also protect the user from any cars driving by and causing water to splash onto the user. 

There are also options to cover 90°, 180° or 270° in the events that the person has to use the umbrella and needs to perform some actions. The button should be clicked once to unfold and as well as for 90° coverage, and then press again for 180° then 270° and 360°. And finally after 360° if pressed again, it'll shrink down to size at a fast speed to remove water instantly and fold back neatly into the umbrella overhead.

The 360 cover not only keeps the user dry, but also allows it to be resistant to strong winds as the material for the covering has its edges rimmed with a slightly heavy cloth to make sure it doesn't blow over easily. The shape of the design also makes it hard for the wind to go around which prevents it from further blowing over. 

The thought process behind the idea

The idea was thought up when using the typical umbrellas as always. The usual design of umbrellas cater for the simple rain falling down but not exactly for the rains that are 'slanted' due to wind and other factors. The umbrella then becomes almost pointless unless you angle it a certain way too, but then your pants and shoes would still get wet. The 360 cover aims to try and solve this issue by providing extra coverage from the usual umbrella. 

Umbrellas are sometimes too heavy or slightly bulky to be easily brought along sometimes. Even though there are smaller umbrellas that have extendable central poles, its rather heavy and obviously, small. The redesign tries to have it to still maintain its size while being light and portable. A compact mirror sizing and shape and the light material seemed to be the best fit for this case.

All these features allows the user to be able to stay dry and carry around an umbrella anywhere and everywhere all in a little case.

References used:

1. Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2024, March 27). umbrella. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/technology/umbrella