Dottie

DOTTIE PINNING ACCESSORIES Nicole Yates contact@nicoleyates.co.uk

PROBLEM SPACE AND RATIONALE FRAMING THE PROBLEM

“Arthritis is the single, most common cause of disability in older adults” Nicole Yates

With the number of people in the UK aged between 65-84 set to increase to 18.2% by 2033 strains on the health and social care systems are expected. A person’s health is directly linked to their wellbeing and the majority of older people encounter and live with health problems. Osteoarthritis is the single, most common cause of disability in older adults with hand arthritis being very common, as an estimated 43% of the UK population suffer from it. Studies have shown there are increasing numbers of the older community living with mild to moderate health problems, which often manifests from difficulties such as limited physical functionality.

THE DESIGN BRIEF

The transition into retirement for many older people can be difficult especially when health issues mean they have to stop hobbies they enjoy, which for many, includes sewing. With more leisure time and less ability this often leaves people feeling frustrated, lonely and even depressed. The number of social knitting groups for older adults greatly outweighs the number of sewing groups. however sewing groups among younger generations are booming. This discrepancy is due to some of the activities required to sew becoming difficult as people age due to osteoarthritis, poor eyesight, reduced dexterity and tremors. As a lack of social interaction has been cited as having a major negative impact on wellbeing, barriers to social sewing groups must be limited.

The product will allow people with arthritis to sew more easily by reducing the strain placed on joints in fingers, wrists and neck.

PROBLEM AND CHALLENGE ANALYSIS During the initial research stages exploration of wellbeing in older adults and how this is affected by health issues and social isolation were considered. The origin of home sewing as a hobby was researched and it was found that over the last century there has been a shift from sewing out of necessity to sewing for pleasure. Three main benefits of sewing were identified from both secondary and primary research and these were: UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS 41 PRODUCT DESIGN

PROBLEM SPACE AND RATIONALE

DISCOVERY PHASE

• The practical process – Being distracted and ‘lost’ within the task allowing for relaxation. A challenge to learn new skills and a feeling that time has been spent productively.

• The social side – Forming strong friendships when completing the activity in a group,

enjoy sharing ideas and support of others. Finishing a project and receiving praise from group members leads to a boost in confidence.

• The end product – Producing tangible items provided a purpose for the activity, which increased when items were created charity, common for sewing groups.

Nicole Yates

Another area of research looked at the problems associated with the operation of sewing machines.

A task analysis using a pair of Cambridge Simulation Gloves that mimic reduced dexterity was used to gain an empathetic view of the user’s problem. The gloves reduce the functional mobility of the hands however do not account for pain, loss of tactile sensitivity or changes to the shape of the hand therefore a task analysis with users was also conducted.

MARKET AND COMPETITOR ANALYSIS By attending the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate an overview of the market and competitors was gained. The show consisted of over 300 exhibitors selling supplies, running workshops and exhibiting textile art. Large brand names in sewing machines were present with the chance to try out their products, allowing for direct competitor analysis. The main for sewing products are Janome, Singer and Brother each of which benefit from a long standing brand heritage and a reputation for quality. As well as sewing machines sewing aids are available with the most used being needle threaders, magnifying glasses and lights. Other products that were similar include the Kwik Kilp and the Micro Stitch however both these products focus on basting quilts rather than pinning.

PHOTOS TAKEN AT THE KNITTING AND STITCHING SHOW SOWING COMPETITOR PRODUCTS AND A WORKSHOP IN PROGRESS WITH THE TARGET MARKET UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS 42 PRODUCT DESIGN

USER INSIGHT PRIMARY RESEARCH WITH USERS Focus groups were held regularly throughout the project with a sewing group that meet up every week at a local library were approached and regular focus groups were held with them thereafter.

The group included a variety of women from different backgrounds with a variety of ages and abilities. They were all regular sewers however were not family or friends so offered open and honest feedback. The focus groups were loosely structured with participants able to talk freely about the topics presented with broad questions set out prior to the meeting so the conversation could be steered if required. Being part of the group and allocating the first hour for everyone to become accustomed allowed the users to open up and as a result more was gained from each session. It also allowed the benefits of social sewing to be experienced directly.

The focus groups were used to gain insights into sewing habits, steer development of the product range and provide feedback on the final design.

Jean, age 74

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Nicole Yates

“I am right handed but often pin with my left hand because of arthritis�

Nicole Yates

DESIGN PHASE CONCEPT AND OPPORTUNITY MAPPING

MECHANISMS

From primary and secondary research findings two word clouds were created: one that explored the problems and one that explored the ideas and directions for the project.

From user research and producing design requirements the decision was made to create an entirely mechanical product as it reduces the weight of the product, reduces the cost and does not require recharging or battery replacement from the user. Another of the requirements was for the use of the product to require a simple movement input from users to reduce the pressure placed on the fingers and wrists. A sliding action was identified as the easiest through user testing and as a result wheels that the device is rolled on protrude from the bottom of the device allowing both the simple user input and the powering of the mechanisms. Two mechanisms were identified as critical for the functionality of the product: one that lifts the fabric and one that fires the pins into the fabric.

Initial concepts were developed for each of these problems and presented to users to feedback on. From this research three design directions were taken forward, developed further and presented at the Interim Exhibition.

These three concepts focused on the problem areas of cutting fabric, pinning fabric and being unable to upgrade a sewing machine once purchased.

FIRING MECHANISM

LIFTING MECHANISM

MANUFACTURING CONSIDERATIONS After analysis of the shape and the requirement for the product to be light, and therefore manufactured from plastic, injection moulding was selected as the process for creating the casings for both projects and the internal mechanism of the pinner. As such manufacturing considerations had to be made which incorporated draft angles so the parts could be ejected from the moulds easily, a lip and groove where the parts meet to secure them together and mounting bosses which allow the casings to be screwed together. Also straight split lines were used to keep the costs of the moulds low and a uniform wall thickness UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS 44 PRODUCT DESIGN

for the casings has been included to reduce the chance of sink marks and warping.

More manufacturing considerations can be found in the Manufacturing Plan report and more detail about the parts can be found in the Solutions Section of this report.

DRAFT ANGLE

MOUNTING BOSS

UNIFORM WALL THICKNESS

LIP AND GROOVE

BRAND IDENTITY AND MARKETING

PINNING

ACCESSORIES

D OT T I E Nicole Yates

The brand identity for Dottie took inspiration from wartime propaganda that was used to encourage people to ‘make do and mend’.

This was done as home sewing as a hobby originated from necessity during the war and is therefore a nod towards its origins. Also many of the competitors on the market, as they were created during the war, benefit from brand heritage therefore the look of the brand is aiming to compete with this. To achieve this old style layouts with centred text, banners and intricate details have been used but in a vector style, rather than a hand drawn style, with bright colours to give it a contemporary look and feel.

MAKES PINNING A DODDLE

Online channels of distribution have been identified as a large driver for sales as increasing numbers of older adults are using the Internet with a growing community of online sewers sharing ideas and tutorials. Due to these shifts in the habits of the target market an e-commerce site, distributers such as Amazon and social media platforms such as Facebook and Pinterest will be used to distribute and create interest in the product.

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PARTS AND MATERIALS

RRP: £29.99 COST: £8.62 GROSS PROFIT: £21.37 INITIAL SALES: 10,000

As a major requirement of the product is for it to be light the decision was made to make both the casing and internal mechanism out of Polypropylene. This will not be a problem as the force required to move a pin is very low and Polypropylene has good strength and stiffness.

A thermoplastic was selected as it is easier and cheaper to injection mould and Polypropylene COSTS AND RRP ASSOCIATED TO THE was selected as it has the lowest density of all PINPOD PRODUCT thermoplastics.

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HOPPER - An opening that allows for pins to be dropped into it and loaded using the internal mechanism.

MOUNTING BOSS - A total of four mounting bosses are used on the Pin Pod and one on the Unpin which hold together the outer casings.

The fabric is then placed in the beginning of the opening where the arrow points. The whole device is then rolled away from the user with one hand and the fabric guided with the other hand as the pins are pushed into the fabric at intervals of around 5cm.

INTERNAL MECHANISM - The internal mechanism is made up of a few mechanisms: one that loads the pins, one that lifts the fabric and one that fires pins into the fabric.

WHEELS - The internal mechanism is entirely mechanical and is powered by the wheels that protude out of the bottom of the Pin Pod. OUTER CASINGS - Both the Pin Pod and Unpin have curved casings that make it easy for an arthritic user to use.

PIN POD

FORK - A low-alloy steel fork that catches the pinhead and pulls it out of the fabric.

To use the Unpin the user takes hold of the handle and places the flat back of the fork against the fabric just behind where the The Dottie range of pinning accessories makes pinhead is. The device is then run along the the activity of pinning prior to sewing easier for top of the pin, catches the pinhead and pulls users who suffer from arthritis, limited dexterity the pin out of the fabric. From here the user and reduced eyesight. There are two products can drop the pin back into its container without in the range: the Pin Pod and the Unpin. the need to use their fingers.

The Pin Pod takes standard sewing pins that most sewers own and a simple rolling action from the user to push pins into the fabric at regular intervals. This is done along the edge of fabric, which is useful for pinning many different sewing projects including seams and hems. The Unpin uses a fork attached to an ergonomic handle to pull pins out of the fabric without the need to use arthritic fingers.

FINAL SOLUTION

To use the Pin Pod pins are placed into the funnel that are then sorted, aligned and loaded into the mechanism one at a time automatically.

UNPIN

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Nicole Yates

SCREWS - Stainless steel screws have been used to hold together the casings and hold the mechanism in place.

EVALUATION

Nicole Yates

REQUIREMENT

SCORE

RANK

TEST METHOD EVIDENCE

LIGHTWEIGHT Products must be lightweight to reduce strain on arthritic wrists.

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User testing with a weighted prototype. Ask users about their limits.

REDUCE STRESS ON FINGERS Fiddley tasks are not required to be done by the users.

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Ask users Holding pins is to compare not required by pinning before the user. the product and whilst using it.

EASY TO SETUP The setup and use of the product is quick and simple.

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User testing with a focus group and prototype.

The speed at which the product can be setup will be recorded.

SAFE TO USE As firing pins is included it will need to be safe to use.

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Include safety features that make the product safe to use.

Firing pins will not be near the users hands.

SITTING OR STANDING Can be used sitting or standing due to user preferences.

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User testing with a focus group and prototypes.

The shape of the product will allow different hand holding positions.

EVALUATION

Work out the weight of the product and ask users to hold.

The Dottie pinning range meets the requirements as the holding of pins is reduced significantly therefore making pinning and sewing easier for arthrtic users.

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