After more sketching, several constraints are now apparent that affect my initial design. The top 5 are as follows:

The images presented on the face will be constrained aesthetically to only two colors. The positive of the image is the color of the material itself and the negative is the space where the white roll can be seen underneath. This means the images positive side needs to be completely connected (ie no floating objects). I will most likely incorporate silhouettes, or images that can play off off the the roll of toilet paper being pulled out of the dispenser.

The material must play to this aesthetic and be capable of being formed into the intricate shapes needed. Currently, I believe 3D printing will yield the greatest results, however laser cutting thin wood could be an alternative option.

These two materials present a new problem and constraint that must be accounted for, keeping the dispenser stationary. If it’s too light then pulling the roll will cause the entire dispenser to move. Adding pads with grips to the base can also help by adding friction.

The project will be used in a bathroom so it will need to appeal to that environment. It should be water resistant, easy to clean, and slip-proof. This can be achieved either by 3D printing plastic or using finishing surfaces on a wooden dispenser.

Finally, the total size of the dispenser will be constrained by the size of a roll of toilet paper,