User Empathy Redesign
Project Overview
My roles
Redesign a handheld appliance from around the home specifically for seniors.
Research - Concept generation - Prototyping - Material selection - DFMA - Internal component CAD - Technical Drawings
Research.
I was the research lead for this project. As the brief was user orientated, we focused the bulk of our research toward understanding how the target group interacted with current products. This began by using observation techniques including IDEOS Narration and Extreme User Interviews.
During the research phase of this project New Zealand went into a national lock down. This provided challenges around accessing and receiving relabel information from the target market. However we were able adapted our research methods, and found useful information on product interaction through grocery inventories, historical analysis and try-it-yourself methods.
Competitor analysis, in-depth component tear downs, and market positioning maps, complimented the user research findings, and helped highlight areas to focus on during ideation and development
Ideation.
We worked as a team generating concepts, which we then split up to explore and develop. Using sketching and rapid prototyping methods we were then able to share, discuss, progress and evaluate ideas. Together we agreed the design to take forward, was a knife that reduced wrist strain, through a side- handle-support.
CAD Modelling.
During this project CAD modelling was used a lot during product development. We found it a useful tool to communicate our design, when talking to supervisors, and it played a large role in validating design decisions.
Collaboratively modelling remotely was a new experience for us however something we managed by splitting up tasks and utilizing Fusion360’s file share features. As I was the technical lead I was tasked with modelling internal components and ribbing, while my team mate focused on product housing.
Constant iterations and revisions, meant designing for change, embedding design intent and CAD administration had to be well set up and communicated so both parties were always up to date with updated designs.
User Interaction.
Findings from research highlighted that button clarity, wrist strain and button force were issues that seniors faced with electric knives. Feature positioning, reduced weight and grips are some of the ways we altered the product to improve product interaction for this group.
Technical Details.
As the technical lead in this project I was responsible for:
Selecting / designing appropriate internal components
Material selection
Plastic ribbing
Dimension selection
Component and assembly technical drawings
Final Design.
Clip Handle provides support to wrist, reducing strain and can be positioned to suit users anthropometric requirements
Double injection moulded grip is textured to create feel of comfort and added control
Blades grips far safe and easy removal
Colour, positioning and size of buttons chosen to communicate function
Two sized blades, in response to travel design specification