Handy
Designed an assistive product for people with arm disabilities to put on and take off Ts independently
Initially based on one myopathy student who is using the product on a daily basis now
Iteratively developed the product through interviewing, refining and testing for 6 rounds
Awarded the second prize for The Best Senior Project in the mechanical engineering dept.
The products have officially earned industrial design patents and ready for further development.
CHALLENGE
Getting dressed, one of the daily basis routines, doesn’t come easy for everyone. Especially if one can’t move shoulders, elbows, or wrists in a full movement range.
This project was started from one university student who has a myopathy and preferred to reduce his reliance on others on daily routine, including clothing.
Due to his constraints which are much more limited than other patients, the existing products in the market cannot be adopted in his case. Thus, he needed a whole new creation.
PROCESS
WE FOLLOWED
DESIGN THINKING
AND WE STILL KEEP REFINING!
We followed Design Thinking process and we still keep refining!
INSIGHTS
From the primary research through an interview, we have found out these critical insights...
T-shirts!
The most worn top is T-shirt; in casual days and every night.
Portable
A portable device is preferred, so he can also use it while traveling.
Light-weight & Light-load
Due to his weak hands, he cannot hold a heavy product or use much hand force.
DEFINE
Then, we have tested and observed the arm movement capabilities.
We define that the problem is the inability to neither pass his elbows through sleeves nor raise a collar above his head.
PROTOTYPE & TEST
We always started with self-tests on prototypes by imitating his constraints which tremendously help us to comprehend the user experience and the way he interacted with the products.
Then, we would ask him for direct usability tests.
The first version is
A PORTABLE STICK.
Stick’s length works as an extended arm length.Whereas hooks work like hands, gripping cloth.
primary and secondary prototypes
primary and intermediate sketches
final drafts and renders
an actual delivery
The first version was positively regarded for its portability. However, it requires heavy push and pull from user's hands.
primary and secondary prototypes
The second version is
AN INSTALLED HOOK.
The hook works as an assistive hand of the second person which held t-shirt in place. The user needed to move around to put on and take off.
The second version requires much less hand and arm work, as the user move his whole body around. Although it doesn't fit the requirement to be portable this version was designed to be attached at home for more frequent and quicker uses.
an actual delivery
intermediate sketch,
final drawing and renders
IMPLEMENT
Comparing both versions, the user prefers the first version because of its portability.
Thus, after the prototype period, we developed the product further for more sustainability.
SOLUTION
Important features of the solutions are shown here ...
SOLUTION
01/
TWO PIECES
SOLUTION
02/
NO EDGES
SOLUTION
03/
COMFORTABLE GRIP
SOLUTION
04/
3D PRINTED
Light weighted: with PLA
Convenient for self-refinement and self-reproduction
Ergonomic: safe to be hold anywhere
Friendly look: for assistive devices
Cloth-friendly: not ruining strechy fabric
A suitable diameter: for smaller and sensitive hands
Through motion analysis and ergonomic research
Portable in two half pieces
Broad screws to be quickly connected them before using
CONTEXT
Type: Bachelor's senior project in Chulalongkorn University
Time: August 2017 - April 2018
Team:
Kemchanin Pornpipatsakul (User researcher, Co-designer and facilitator)
Me (User researcher, 3D product designer)
Asst. Prof. Niphon Wansophark (Advisor)
Asst. Prof. Witaya Wannasuphoprasit (Advisor)
My role:
Primary research
Iterative prototyping
Self simulation
Motion design
Usability test
Product development Refinement
Manufacturing