Hubcap
A collaborative team project for the 48 Designathon hosted by UTS PDsoc. A workplace pen hub designed to keep stationery organised, accessible, and returned.
A collaborative team project for the 48 Designathon hosted by UTS PDsoc. A workplace pen hub designed to keep stationery organised, accessible, and returned.
Honourable mention
Honourable mention
PROJECT TIMELINE
22 - 24 July 2025
22 - 24 July 2025
KEY SKILLS
Team collaboration & co-design
Team collaboration & co-design
User research & profiling
User research & profiling
Rapid sketching & ideation
Rapid sketching & ideation
CAD modelling & visualisation
CAD modelling & visualisation
CMF exploration with AI tools
CMF exploration with AI tools
User testing & feedback integration
User testing & feedback integration
PROBLEM
In busy workplaces, communal pens frequently go missing or are misplaced. This creates unnecessary stress for employees, slows down tasks, and impacts service. Our target user—a customer service attendant—needs quick, reliable access to pens for frequent short writing tasks, without interruption.
In busy workplaces, communal pens frequently go missing or are misplaced. This creates unnecessary stress for employees, slows down tasks, and impacts service. Our target user—a customer service attendant—needs quick, reliable access to pens for frequent short writing tasks, without interruption.
SOLUTION
HubCap is a centralised pen hub that keeps workplace stationery organised, accessible, and returned. Holding six pens with integrated caps, it subtly encourages users to return them before they dry out. Combining practical organisation with satisfying interactions and visual appeal, HubCap reduces frustration and motivates positive behaviour in communal workspaces.
HubCap is a centralised pen hub that keeps workplace stationery organised, accessible, and returned. Holding six pens with integrated caps, it subtly encourages users to return them before they dry out. Combining practical organisation with satisfying interactions and visual appeal, HubCap reduces frustration and motivates positive behaviour in communal workspaces.
PROCESS
The project was developed over two work days by our team, consisting of myself Sophia Santos, Samuel Thanopoulos and Deema Arraf. We began with rapid sketching and brainstorming, narrowing in on the idea of a shared pen hub, with a target user profile to clarify key frustrations and needs.
Early sketch models tested usability, showing that integrating the caps encouraged return behaviour. CAD iterations refined the form, and Vizcom was used to rapidly explore CMF options, highlighting the importance of visual appeal. The final CAD model was 3D printed and finished, then tested with users, generating useful feedback for potential future refinement. The project concluded with polished product renders to communicate the final concept. We were delighted to recieve an honourable mention for our work.
The project was developed over two work days by our team, consisting of myself Sophia Santos, Samuel Thanopoulos and Deema Arraf. We began with rapid sketching and brainstorming, narrowing in on the idea of a shared pen hub, with a target user profile to clarify key frustrations and needs.
Early sketch models tested usability, showing that integrating the caps encouraged return behaviour. CAD iterations refined the form, and Vizcom was used to rapidly explore CMF options, highlighting the importance of visual appeal. The final CAD model was 3D printed and finished, then tested with users, generating useful feedback for potential future refinement. The project concluded with polished product renders to communicate the final concept. We were delighted to recieve an honourable mention for our work.