This work aims to develop a better base system for a sun-umbrella, seeking to ensure certain characteristics, such as:

The base is transportable;
The base is resistant;
The base is stable;
The base is  easy to use;
The base doesn't gather water;
The base does not hinder my space;
The base articulates several uses;
The base has an ergonomic shape;
The base is aesthetically pleasing;
The base doesn't get dirty easily;
The base is built according to environmental standards;
The base has good quality/price ratio.

Two latent needs were selected and decomposed in other smaller needs:

The base articulates several uses, such as a table; a flower box; a seat or a store.
The base is built according to environmental standards, such as the construction from recyclable materials; the possibility of the base to be recovered or the adaptation from other existing pieces (wooden cable spool, tires, wheels, barrels and pallets).

Then, two or more of these requirements were selected and combined so as to create different solutions, for example:

(Unfortunately I had no chance to upload the next concepts before the time limit.)

This system (J) has some problems: the rubber is to much flexible (perhaps the metal bar could grow and surround the entire "rubber glove") and it could be a big clamping screw. The base wouldn't need the clamping screw if it was one single piece.