USER CENTERED DESIGN
RAIN PROTECTION: WHEELCHAIR COVER ANNA LOWE
CONTENTS
RESEARCH
FINDINGS
DEVELOPMENT
Background & Brief
Target market
Ideation
Market Research
Storyboard
Sketch models
User group feedback
Design specification
User clearance
Interview feedback
Creating structure
Product testing
Surface texture
User statistics
Alpha prototype
2.0 R
ain
Protection
2.1 P
roject
Research
PROJECT BACKGROUND Currently in the the UK there are around 1.2 million people who require a wheelchair due to a disability. Some wheechairs are self-propelled and can be operated by the wheelchair user. Some wheelchairs are transit styled and must be pushed by another person from behind the wheelchair. (1) For both of these scenarios, going out in the rain can be a difficult challenge. Usually, people will choose not to go out in the rain because of this which can make day-to-day trips very limiting.
BACKGROUND AND BRIEF
How might we help wheelchair users feel more confident when going out in the rain? CURRENT CONSTRAINTS
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Limited choice of products
Must be desirable to use
Products are not appealing
Must accommodate existing wheelchairs
Products are not very effective
Have an ‘easy-to-use’ interface
CURRENT SOLUTIONS
The most common product used for rain protection is the poncho. This covers the person all over and allows access to the wheels if necessary.
(2)
MARKET RESEARCH
(2)
(3)
(4)
Other products include attachable umbrellas and canopies. These are usually fold-away solutions that prodvide partial coverage.
(5)
“You need to be able to access the wheels to push but at the same time what ever you make it out of needs to be free from the rear wheels as well as they bring up alot of water and dirt.”
“Because wheelchair users are sitting, your thighs and seat can get soaked.” “Its not just about keeping my clothes dry, its about keeping the cushion dry too.”
(2)
USER GROUP FEEDBACK
“I’ve tried water proof trousers, they work great to keep my legs dry, but I find it very hard to get them off when I go inside somwhere and get too hot if I don’t. Plus I can’t wear skirts with them.”
“A plastic trash bag tucks into my waistband like a skirt, with standard rain jacket on top.” “Personally, if it’s raining I’ll just put a bin bag on my lap, not trendy, but it’s easy to remove when I get to my destination.” “I use an oversided adidas wind breaker and pull it over my knees, similar to the pounchos.”
(6)
WHEELCHAIR ENGINEER
“A rain cover should always be detachable. If it cannot be removed, this will add unnecessary weight in the summer, when it is not needed. This is especially important for elderly people who are pushing.”
“Not everybody has somebody with them to help put attach a rain cover. It will need to be easy to assemble and also possible to put up by yourself, in the wheelchair.”
(5)
INTERVIEW FEEDBACK
WHEELCHAIR SALESPERSON
“A lot of our customers buy the wearable ponchos because they work the best. However, they do complain that they feel enclosed and restrictive.”
“We hear a lot of stories about the umbrellas blowing inside out in high winds, making it very difficult.”
“People who are being pushed generally find that the rain from the umbrella splashes back on to them.”
(4)
BENEFITS - Fits on to any wheelchair handle - Partial rain coverage - Folds away when not in use, like the wheelchair - Affordable price
EXPERIENCE - Loose fit made it feel unsteady - Person pushing cannot see - Very little protection for legs and seat - Angle cannot be adjusted for vision or rain
PRODUCT TESTING
THE MAJORITY OF WHEELCHAIR USERS IN THE UK... Above the age of 65 and female. (1)
under 25 25 - 44
65
AND ABOVE
USER STATISTICS
45 - 64
male
34%
female
66%
Live in a house with at least one other person. (1)
32% one person
Only require their wheelchairs for outdoor use. (1)
74% outdoors only
45%
two persons
23%
three persons or more
26% both
2.2
findings
MAGGIE - 70 years old - Married and living with Glenn - Only needs wheelchair outdoors - Usually goes out in the car -Does not go out if it is already raining - Keeps a plastic sheet in bag in case of unexpected rain Dislikes the restriction of a poncho
TARGET MARKET
GLENN - 75 years old - Married and living with Maggie - Pushes Maggie around in her wheelchair - Drives the car when they go out - Likes the light weight wheelchair, but a canopy makes it too heavy to push
HAPPY
HAPPY
- Maggie and Glenn head out to the shops in the car.
- Glenn unfolds the wheelchair from the car for Maggie.
- Happy to go out and enjoy time together.
- They put a plastic bag in Maggie’s purse in case it rains.
STORYBOARD
DECREASING
ANNOYED
- They begin walking around the shops and it starts to rain.
- They continue walking and the rain gets heavier.
- It is not heavy but Maggie covers her legs with the bag.
- Maggie’s seat is wet and uncomfortable and they go home.
DESIGN SPECIFICATION From the secondary research it was possible to establish the most typical user of a wheelchair cover. They have been chosen as the target market and therefore the design specification has been based on their needs and wants. It was possible to tailor the primary research to find out as much as possible about the target market. For example, the interview with the engineer stated that a cover should be removable and light weight, particulary for the elderly users. Once the design specification points had been defined based on the feedback from the research it was important to prioritise these points. Ideally, the cover will hit all the targets in the design specification, however, in a timed project it is important to establish where the biggest effort should be. The design specification priorities can be found to the right.
DESIGN SPECIFICATION
LEAST PRIORITY
VISIBILITY FOR PUSHER SPLASHBACK FOR PUSHER
HIGH PRIORITY
COLLASPIBLE DOES NOT FEEL RESTRICTIVE
LIGHTWEIGHT
EASY TO USE ATTACH TO ANY WHEELCHAIR PROTECT SEAT FROM ALL ANGLES
2.3 D
evelopment
STRUCTURED GEOMETRIC BRIGHT STRONG
(7)
(8)
MOOD BOARD
(12) (9)
(10)
(11)
(13)
WEATHER RESISTANCE - Form which suggests strength for high winds - Form which encourages rain to run off
IDEATION
LEG & SEAT PROTECTION - Non-restrictive / access to wheels - Taps into previous experiences - Folds away for ease of use
Focus on function of cover Collasping features
SKETCH MODELS
Focus on form of cover Curves resemble structure and strength
Cover is lifted away from the body and legs Keeps dry but is not restrictive
The armrest posts are potential places to attach the cover to.
The side panels are potential places to attach the cover to.
The footrest posts are potential places to attach the cover to.
USER CLEARANCE
Should be no more than 120mm to ensure a good fit across lap. Should be at least 150mm around this point to be a good fit for knees.
There should be at least 120mm for a good fit around the feet.
Creating structure through the use of a wire frame sewn into material.
Gives good structure and is light weight.
Can be twisted flat similar to a pop-up tent.
CREATING STRUCTURE
Form is sharp and well defined when using flat sheets sewn into the material. Collaspes easily into flat piece. A heavy option which requires a lot of support to hold it’s own weight.
Structure inspired by intricate paper folding.
The textures have a layered form. This will help the rain the fall off the cover rather than remaining on the top.
SURFACE TEXTURE
The textures have an interlocking form. These patterns could be used suggest strength and that the cover is weather resistant.
01
ALPHA PROTOTYPE
02
LEARNINGS
- Base is not big enough to cover feet and rests. (01) - Good curvature and structure was achieved to lift the cover away from the user. (02, 03) - Form is interesting and feels modern. Adding value through attractiveness. (03) - Structure holds itself but could be improved as there is some sagging across the center. (04)
03
04
FINAL PROTOTYPE
REFERENCES
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
London South Bank University,. Mind The Step: An Estimation Of Housing Need Among Wheelchair Users In England. London: Habinteg Housing Association, 2010. file:///C:/Users/Anna/Downloads/Mind-the-step_ onlineversion.pdf%20(1).pdf “Market Research” image reference links https://www.rollitex.co.uk/en/Accessories/Waterproofs/Wheelchair-Rain-Cape.html https://www.amazon.co.uk/CareActive-Wheelchair-Winter-Poncho-Navy/dp/B00KZNP0S4 Wheelchair umbrella mount by Wazer https://www.wazer.com/ https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/71/79/d2/7179d23d5c924f3ad54d718870ec4714.jpg https://www.essentialaids.com/mobility/wheelchair-scooter-clothing/sheerlines-canterbury-cover.html “Mood board” image reference links 3D wall art by deepta http://www.instructables.com/id/Wall-Art-3D/ http://www.fabricarchitecture.com/tensile-fabric-structures/ http://www.architen.com/articles/ti02-exciting-new-environmental-fabric/ Fashion by Junya Watanabe http://collectiftextile.com/junya-watanabe-automne-2015/ 3D fabric by Anne Kyyro Quinn Barr http://mastropaolodesign.com/3d-textiles/ Lampshare by Concord http://concordlampandshade.com/wp/silk-lampshades-smocked-pleating/ http://canopykainjakarta.com/kategori/7/TENDA-MEMBRANE
All other images used are taken by the author or commerically free courtesy of PixaBay