Thomas O'Connor - Gardening Cart

Gardening Cart for the Elderly

Thomas O’Connor Fall 09 Senior Studio

01

Design Brief

Design a product to utilize the therapeutic qualities of gardening therapy for the elderly.

Gardening therapy is a simple and proven elderly activity which has shown to improve: -physical and mental conditions -the senses -cognitive ability -anxiety for dementia patients -social interaction -quality of life

Alice is small and frail. Doctors say she has dementia and short term memory loss.

But when she touches the soil, old memories come flooding back.

02

User Research

Storage for multiple items.

I visited a nursing home with an active garden and spoke to residents and caretakers about gardening and its therapeutic qualities.

Problems: -managing multiple components (watering can, tools, planters, gloves, etc.)

-walking -sitting down -seated to standing transition -standing to kneeling transition

Outdoor and tabletop gardening is a popular individual and group activity.

3 Key User Positions Standing

Kneeling

Sitting

...a gradual transition from standing to kneeling would do wonders...

03

Target Market

The cart will be targeted towards each end of the elderly spectrum; the physically active to those who require daily mobility assistance.

Consumer Personna #1: Name: Martin Age: 65 Lives: On his own Retired: Carpenter Hobbies: The outdoors, cars, woodworking

Consumer Personna #2: Name: Jane Age: 80 Lives: In a retirement community Retired: Teacher Hobbies: Reading, traveling, broadway

Problem: -Limited ability to raise and lower himself.

-Works in garden and raised planter beds.

-Supplies are hard to carry.

Opportunity: -Enable gradual standing to kneeling transitions.

-Offer seating and kneeling.

-Include storage for supplies.

Problem: -Requires a walker to move.

-Fear of falling outdoors.

-Requires frequent rest periods.

Opportunity: -Include ability to walk with cart.

-Offer areas to secure yourself.

-Enable body support at all times.

04

Product Benchmarking Plastic is uncomfortable to sit and kneel on

Existing product benchmarking.

Evaluated the current gardening cart and kneeler market for design inspiration towards the elderly consumer.

Cushion and bars are too high

Opportunity: Combine both products into one complete mobility solution for the elderly gardener.

Cushion is too narrow for knees

Needs cushioned seat

Storage areas dont drain dirt or water

Too small Too heavy

05

Process Sketches

06

Process Sketches

07

Process Sketches

08

Mockup Models

l Plant ge

cr ystals

ater!

w Just add

Early

ockup

Kneeler/seat m

ockup

ore m foamc

09

Final Design

10

Product Features

Watering can

-collects rain water from cart -flip out spout

Plant growing gel

-antibacterial and non-toxic -absorbs up to 400 times its weight in water -time releases vitamins & minerals directly to the plant's root system

Indoor tabletop planter

-allow user to enjoy indoor gardening -docks into cart for easy transplanting

Cart storage

-store large or small items underneath -holes allow dirt and water to escape

11

User Mobility

Dual handles provide user support and gradual transitions.

Soft grip handles Push to detach bars from cart

Automatic brake - handle must be held to roll cart

Adjustable height

Seat lets user comfortably work in raised gardening beds.

12

Materials

Plant-based plastics

-Converts sugar cane and molasses into plastic -processed through existing manufacturing and recycling facilities

Silicone gel grips

-antimicrobial coating -ergonomic memory gel

Recycled rubber tires Walnut tool bins

Memory foam cushioning -relieves pressure points and joint problems

Bamboo fabric pad -water and UV repellent -breathable -wicks moisture