Table of Contents
Ben's Dog Bowls
In this project, I sought to create one CAD model of a dog bowl that could be altered to fit different dog types, sizes, and even human through three different parameters: breed, eloquence, and human-ness.
Description of design drivers / goals
- Goal 1 - To create an efficient water container.
- Goal 2 - To have a parameter affecting the “human-ness” of the container (i.e. to make it a dog bowl or water glass with one click).
- Goal 3 - To have a parameter affecting the “breed” of the container (i.e. how thick and sturdy the container is).
- Goal 4 - To have a parameter affecting the “eloquence” of the container (i.e. how curvy the walls are).
Logic diagram
CAD models
Parametric variations: Images
German Shepherd in Germany
Chihuahua in Beverly Hills
Served with Chow Chow in China
Random 1: Hourglass
Random 2: Shot Glass
Lessons learned
I learned that when working with new software, it is important to keep your initial designs on paper simple and then add complexity within the program to the degree that it allows. Also, manage your time to allow for help from the instructors.






Discussion
I really like the idea of designing a dog bowl that morphs into a human glass. As far as your focus on curviness to get eloquence, I think it makes sense when you're using this software. I think when the lines are simple and geometric, then materials used, color, etc, become more important for conveying eloquence.
I liked the way you took a relatively straightforward concept (dog bowls) and pushed it to it limit with your consumer ideas. I particularly appreciate the way you parameterized “eloquence” in a simple but understandable way. Like with Charity's Jamba Juice cups, I think it'd be interesting (if these were to actually be produced) to parameterize for the distribution of material in the bowls/cups and control for the weight on the bottom. You did something similar with thickness, but it'd be cool if the bottom could be weighted heavier for bigger breeds who will perhaps push harder on the bowl as they eat or drink and then lighter and lighter as the breed gets more dainty. You could also then get a sort of hybrid design that appears “eloquent” with thinner side and a rounded shape but has a certain sturdiness for large dogs that evoke daintiness, like Poodles.