Concept Presentations
Development
Card board model
Final solution
Inspiration
Empathy study
ASSISTIVE DEVICES PROJECT
Context
In the near future approximately a quarter of the UK population will be of retirement age as the baby boom population ages. An average retirement now lasts almost a quarter of a century and retirees often have the means to enjoy social, sporting and other recreational activities. The range of assistive devices currently available on the market for the general population is extensive. However, many are poorly designed and opportunities exist for new designs which target people of retirement age and older.
Brief
I was tasked with creating a cheese grater and garlic press for use by persons with reduced dexterity in their hands and fingers. My design solution would need to demonstrate an understanding of the limitations and difficulties faced by users with reduced dexterity by addressing the common problems faced. My solution should also consider the aesthetic of the product and be designed to differentiate itself in the market. It should not be designed to look like a ‘medical device’. Both items should complement one another in their form and aesthetic.
Using a standard cheese grater with the tape as shown made it clear just how difficult it is to use the product for people with reduced finger dexterity. The act of gripping both the cheese and cheese grater causes a lot of pain for the user.
Notes on what is preferred
-
Less use of just the fingers, more use of the whole arm
-
Forward rocking motion
-
Side-to-side rocking motion offers interesting design opportunities
-
Use of the palm rather than fingers
