ME 103: Product Realization: Design and Making
Blaire's Birdhouse
Developed skills in mechanical design, iterative prototyping, and force-motion analysis by redesigning the Archimedes Screw to transport marbles effectively.
Project Overview.
For this class, I set out to make something personal—and landed on designing and building a birdhouse for my mom, who recently got into backyard birdwatching. What started as a vision for a functioning bird feeder quickly evolved into a simpler, but still meaningful, handcrafted birdhouse named Blaire’s Birdhouse. The process was full of pivots, learning curves, and hands-on making—and in the end, I created something I’m proud of.
My Process & Learnings.
This was more than just a project—it was a crash course in how vision meets reality. I learned how to adapt big ideas into buildable ones, how to plan better (and why that matters), and how important it is to give yourself space to iterate. I also discovered a lot about my work style: I lean toward a slow-and-steady rhythm, which works best when backed by a clear plan and thoughtful checkpoints.
The emotional journey of the project was real—full of both stuck moments and breakthroughs. Completing the roof, after countless failures, was one of the most satisfying wins. And perhaps most unexpectedly, I found real joy in cheering on my peers and being part of a community that rallied behind each other's success.
Hard Skills.
Operation sequencing & tool safety in the PRL (Product Realization Lab)
Basic metal and woodworking techniques
Assembly planning & dimensioning
Rapid prototyping and iteration under constraints
Working in the foundry (and loving it!)
Soft Skills.
How to persist through failure and problem-solve methodically
Collaborating with course assistants and learning to ask for the right kind of help
Confidence to support peers with similar challenges
Recognizing the value of functional prototyping, not just aesthetic models
