RUTVIKA GUPTA PORTFOLIO
H E LLO. I am a graduating senior in Industrial Design from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. I am an avid design thinker, problem solver and aspiring traveller, highly interested in design and user research.
I believe design has the power to touch lives. I strive to create simple and meaningful experiences.
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DESIGN + ME.
1 DISCOVERY How do I solve a problem?
2 INTERPRETATION How do I apply what I learned?
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4
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IDEATION
EXPERIMENTATION
EVOLUTION
How do I create within an opportunity?
How do I make my idea real?
How can I make my idea better?
CONTENTS.
Mend-Aid E m p at i c a
Re l i e v e Rise
06 22 42 62
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01
mendaid.
one-handed dispenser. how can the basic task of applying a band-aid with just one hand be quicker and easier for users unable to use both hands.
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*me and band-aids. ever since I have been a child, I’ve been known to be highly clumsy. Unfortunately, this means I have gone through a large number of band-aids. Being a user who is fully able to use both hands, I have struggled which made me begin to consider the woes of one-handed users.
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DID YOU KNOW? You are three times as likely to get injured in your house than outside. Band-aids are a common household product, but are extremely difficult to apply quickly with a single hand.
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1.169 MILLION No. of emergency room visits due to cuts per year
4 BILLION
bandages are made in the U.S. every year.
80 SEC.
average time to put on a band-aid with one hand”
IN A SURVEY OF 50 INDIVIDUALS, BETWEEN THE AGES OF 20-45
96%
HAVE BEEN CUT IN THE KITCHEN
10%
HAVE FIRST-AID NEAR OR IN THE KITCHEN
90%
HAVE NEVER USED A SPRAY BAND-AID
Clearly, there is a need for first-aid near the kitchen, which is currently lacking. *BASED ON A STUDY OF 20 INDIVIDUALS, CONDUCTED INDEPENDENTLY
“
I NEVER LIKE PUTTING A BAND-AID ON MY OWN WHEN I GET HURT ON ONE HAND. IT TAKES TOO LONG. -ARPITA, HOUSEWIFE, 36 IT’S SURPRISING THAT A COMMON PRODUCT LIKE THE BAND-AID IS STILL SO HARD TO USE. -ESTEFANY, STUDENT, 22 I ALWAYS END UP TEARING THE BAND-AID WHEN I OPEN THE OUTER WRAPPER. -LU, PROFESSIONAL, 28 KNIVES, CAN-OPENERS, SCISSORS; THE KITCHEN IS A DANGEROUS PLACE. I SHOULD KEEP BAND-AIDS MORE ACCESSIBLE. -ROSIE, HOUSEWIFE, 45
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WHAT ELS E I S O UT TH ER E?
SALVEQUICK BAND-AID DISPENSER
EASY ACCESS ADHESIVE BAND-AID
$20.00
$3.50
Unaesthetic Wall-mounted Separate refills
Needs to be in box Not widely available Individual components
NEXCARE ADHESIVE BAND-AID
NEXCARE SPRAY BAND-AID
$3.00
$5.00
Cap hard to remove Burns when applied Flammable
ONE-HANDED
Not one-handed Burns when applied Can be messy
WASTAGE OF PAPER
PORTABLE/BOX
FOCUS
$4.00
Not one-handed Can be torn Wastage of paper
REQUIRES BOTH HANDS
WALL-MOUNTED
NEW SKIN LIQUID BAND-AID
SINGLE PRODUCT
SCATTERED PRODUCT
FOCUS LESS/NO WASTAGE OF PAPER
EARLY I D E AS . WALL-MOUNTED
APPLICATOR
BOXED DISPENSER
TAPE DISPENSER HAND-HELD
ROLLED DISPENSER
The final direction was a hand-held bandage dispenser
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ER GO NOMIC S .
The final selected form was a curved shape with a flat edge on one side. It fit well into an average sized palm, and the curve allowed the fingers to rest ergonomically and comfortably. 15
MENDAID ONE-HANDED DISPENSER
A handheld band-aid dispenser concept, which allows a user to single-handedly apply a band-aid in a few simple steps.
Inspired by daily dispensers such as Wite-Out © and tape dispensers, MendAid is a compact solution to woes of all users in need for an easier way of putting band-aids on their wounds.
HOW DOE S I T WOR K ?
1. SLIDE CAP OUT WITH THUMB
2. TURN KNOB WITH THUMB
3. PUT ADHESIVE STRIP ON SKIN
4. PULL ACROSS WOUND
5. PUSH DISPENSER DOWNWARDS
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1 slotted opening
The edge allows the perforated band-aids to be torn off easily.
Perforated band-aid roll
2 rubber grip
Allows user to firmly grip the dispenser when applying band-aid.
Band-aids easily tear apart
Additional adhesive strip on edge
why? adding another vertical strip of adhesive ensures that the band-aid sticks to the users skin.
3 activating knob
User can turn knob to push next segment of band-aid out.
PARTS. LEFT CASING Both casings come apart to easily refill band-aid roll
OUTER RUBBER GRIP Can be put in dishwasher
ROTATING SHAFT
RIGHT CASING WITH KNOB Can be put in dishwasher
OUTER RUBBER GRIP Provides grip even if hands are wet
BANDAGE RUBBER CAP ROLL Keeps inner parts hygienic; can be put in dishwasher
materials.
color.
outer casing: polypropylene (PP)
Strong, Flexible, Lightweight, High tensile strength, Highly resistant to corrosion, chemicals and moisture why? it can be washed, and remain sterile.
outer grip: thermoplastic rubber tubing
Does not become slippery when it is wet, Durable, Lightweight, Flexible, Easily conforms to u-shaped or curved handles why? it won’t slip, if covered by blood.
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T E ST IN G A BA ND -A ID.
5 SEC TEAR PACKET
25 SEC USE PACKET TAB
50 SEC
60 SEC
PEEL ONE SIDE
PEEL OTHER SIDE
35 SEC
40 SEC
PEEL PACKET APART
TAKE BAND-AID OUT
65 SEC PICK BAND-AID
80 SEC APPLY BAND-AID
The process of applying a regular band-aid with one hand was tested out by users, and it was found that the process took 80 seconds. This was an average time, found by testing 20 users.
TEST ING MENDA I D.
1 SEC
2 SEC
3 SEC
4 SEC
5 SEC
6 SEC
7 SEC
8 SEC
A prototype of Mendaid was tested by a user, and the process of applying a band-aid was carried out in 8 seconds i.e. about 1/10th the time of applying a regular band-aid with one hand. 21
Better World By Design + Distinct Challenge 1st Place Winner
Source America Design Challenge Honorable Mention
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empatica. assisted typing.
how can individuals with upper limb mobility disabilities be empowered and better included in the professional workplace? Team project with Rajasi Rastogi and Tithi Jasani, with the help of Alexis Wernsing and Professor Deana McDonagh.
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DID YOU KNOW? Over 650 million people around the world live with some form of a disability. In 2013, 82.4% of individuals with a disability in the USA were unemployed.
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IMPORTANCE OF COMPUTERS
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Economic Development
Social Development
Professional Development
Connecting individuals to one another
Allow easy access to vast amounts of information
In today’s digital age, technology has advanced BUT These changes do not include room for disabilities.
Aa
Typing requires
eye coordination
hand coordination 27
Which disabilities hamper heavy hand-eye coordination? upper extremity disabilities
cerebral palsy
amputations
arthritis
neuromuscular
*Upper Extremity Disabilities may be procured at birth, or may be an onsetting disease. They may also be progressive in some cases.
THE CHA L L E NGE
How can we empower an individual with an upper limb disability in the workplace?
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M E E T A LEXI S . Alexis, our inspiration and primary user, was an aspiring teacher at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She had Severe Spastic Cerebral Palsy since she was three years old.
What does Alexis do? She works in the School of Art and Design; a position that requires her to constantly communicate via e-mail, text messaging and social media.
*Alexis is a huge hockey fan!
How does Alexis type? She asks her assistant to put a pencil with a pen cap on one end in her mouth, which she then maneuvers on a trackball with a rubber pencil grip.
pen cap
pencil
grip
O BSE RVATI ONS . We observed her doing this on several occasions where we saw how she struggled with this process. Excessive use aggravates her throat condition, causing her to require suction at regular intervals. She also begins coughing due to the excessive saliva secretion, and requires frequent breaks to rest. 31
WHAT EL S E I S OUT T HE R E ?
Mouth Stick Heavy Requires patience Falls out of mouth
$35-$120
Head Wand Fatigue Bulky Obstrusive
$60-$160
what’s the result?
Sip/Puff Switch Requires supplementary software
$295
Eye Tracking Requires supplementary software
$1200
Voice Recognition Requires user to have clear speech Requires software
$150-$800
Most of the options available in the market are mainly expensive, difficult to use, and do not solve many of the health issues, resulting in users making their own devices.
K E Y ISSU E S TO SO LVE . COST May lead to makeshift devices
DIGNITY Requires assistance to put into the mouth
LACK OF COMFORT
Existing devices are costly
One contant position Abandonment Neck strain and exhaustion Time for adjustment
Speech is hampered
HYGIENE Falls frequently Difficult to wash individually
HEALTH CONCERNS Vision is affected
LACK OF FLEXIBILITY May require additional accomodation in the workplace Trackball is not portable
Excessive saliva secretion Strain on jaw muscles Requires constant suction Gagging/discomfort
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PR OTOTY PI NG.
Not mouthing off. Since a large part of any typing device that couldn’t be used by utilizing hands would require the user to put in their mouth, we explored various everyday objects that are put in the mouth.
We built rudimentary models and mockups using sticks, straws and various attachments to the head, neck and mouth that can allow the user to maneuver the device.
EMPAT H IC MOD EL IN G.
A huge part of our testing was putting ourselves in the users’ shoes (figuratively, of course!) Testing our rough models allowed us to reach our final design with many trials and errors and eliminate various found issues.
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empatica. TYPING MADE EASIER
An assistive device that aims to make typing more accessible, portable and independent.
1. silicone mouth piece
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easily washed fits all jaw sizes reduces strain on jaw
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2. telescopic rod
4. spherical plain bearing allows freedom of movement to navigate offers precise control
allows user to adjust length lightweight to reduce strain retracts to become portable
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3. stylus tip can be used with a trackpad, phone and tablet smooth movements
5. c-clamp 5
can be attached to surfaces such as desks and power chairs helps in support and portability
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chewable mouth grip
device support stand
clamp
stylus tip track pad
TEST ING. We asked Alexis to test Empatica by using three devices; a track pad, iPad and iPhone to first open a Note application and then type “This is a test.” to record the time taken for each.
A LE XIS ’ DE VIC E
00:01:05
TRACK PA D
IPA D
I P H O NE
00:00:55
00:00:26
00:00:32 39
“
“Mouthpieces; one size fits all.” “..heavy and hurt my jaw.” “The headpointers just look plain ridiculous.” “It becomes difficult to move my head.” “Too costly, so I just made my own!”
After Empatica “This doesn’t hurt my jaw or feel heavy at all.” “It doesn’t fall on the floor all the time, and I don’t have to make someone else pick it up for me.” “I like this because it’s stationary, but still lets me type easily.” “It works!”
-Alexis Wernsing (1975-2015)
what next? our team received a $5000 grant to further pursue Empatica. unfortunately, Alexis passed away last year; and hence in honor of her, we now aim to encompass a larger number of users with a wider range of disablities, increase overall comfort and ease of use even more.
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03
relieve.
redesigning the urine test. current urine tests are mostly conducted using a sterile cup; which makes it difficult to hold and use, especially for female users.
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*why consider the urine test? this was a short, two-week project, wherein I aimed to reconsider one aspect of a product that has remained unchanged for a long period of time.
DID YOU KNOW? The medicinal practice of testing urine is almost 6,000 years old. No other organ system of the human body provides so much information by its excretion as does the urinary system.
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URINANALYSIS. The physical, chemical and microscopic examination of urine.
what is it used for?
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2
3
Routine Medical Evaluation
Assessing Particular Symptoms
Diagnosing Medical Conditions
-General yearly screening -Pre-surgery assessment -Physical screening
-Painful urine -Blood in the urine -Abdominal pain -Urinary symptoms -Flank pain
-Urinary Tract Infection -Kidney infection -Kidney stones -Diabetes
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Monitoring Specific Diseases -Diabetes related kidney diseases -Blood pressure -Kidney impairments -Protein in urine
THE PROCESS. How is the test conducted?
1 2 3
Clean the entire vulvar area in women from front to back and the genitals in men with a disinfectant towelette.
The patient should begin to void into the toilet and then catch urine in the sterile cup container during midstream (at least 1-2 ounces of urine).
The patient can screw on the container cap (if given) or leave for the medical assistant or nurse to complete.
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WOMEN AND URINE TESTS.
A national survey found that women were three times more likely to see a doctor on a regular basis than men.
One in five women will have at least one UTI in her lifetime.
More than 11 million women in the US have diabetes.
About 6.7 million pregnancies occur in the United States each year.
THE CHA L L E NGE
How can we re-design the urine test while considering the large number of female users?
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WHO ARE THE USERS?
A survey conducted with 50 female users, found that : 88%
had taken a urine test more than once. 40/50
said they wished there was an easier way for it to be conducted.
19/50 used a plastic container
18/50 used a disposable cup
90% said the container was difficult to hold.
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HOLDING THE CONTAINER BEHIND ME HURT MY BACK AND STRAINED MY HANDS. -CICI, 67 SOME OF THE URINE SPILLED AND I INITIALLY COMPLETELY MISSED COLLECTING IT PROPERLY IN THE CONTAINER. -RACHEL, 23 I HAVE DIFFICULTIES WITH THE CONTAINER LID BUT DIDN’T WANT TO LEAVE THE CONTAINER OPEN FOR THE NURSE. -CHANDRIKA, 72 I HAVE TO DO THIS TEST QUITE OFTEN; I REALLY WISH THERE WAS A SIMPLER WAY RATHER THAN HAVING TO LITERALLY PEE IN A CUP. -LINDA, 48
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IDENTIFYING THE OPPORTUNITIES. Examining existing collection containers.
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Difficult to open
Difficult for users to collect
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SCREW TOP LID
3
NARROW OPENING
STRAIGHT WALL PLASTIC CONTAINER
4
STICKER LABEL
Confusing interface
Difficult to hold (My main focus!) 5
TRANSPARENT/TRANSLUCENT BODY
Unappealing and unnecessary
EARLY IDEAS.
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Relieve.
RE-DESIGNING THE URINE TEST considering women and ergonomics to make the process of collecting urine a seamless experience.
WHAT IF YOU COULD HOLD A CUP, WITHOUT HAVING TO TOUCH IT? The idea is that instead of having to bend down and hold a plastic cup, users can now hold the apparatus from the front. More comfort, better grip, and less worry.
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1. silicone rubber handle
The removable rubber handle allows users to hold the apparatus from the front.
2. urine collection container
The plastic urine cup fits into the rubber handle, and the bowl shape prevents splashing and spilling.
propolyene cheap easy to manufacture easy to clean
silicone doesn’t slip provides strength easy to shape
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why the bowl? the bowl allows the user to collect urine without the worry of spilling or splashing because of the wider mouth and rim.
why the detachable handle? allowing the handle to be removed from the apparatus allows it to be sterilized, and re-used for different users.
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Relieve. making the experience simpler, more comfortable and easier.
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04
rise.
considering age groups. a toilet riser and stool, that hopes to reduce the clutter that occurs in households that house both the elderly and growing children. *A project in progress.
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DID YOU KNOW? I in 6 Americans live in a multi-generational household. This means more households need to accomodate both the elderly, and also growing children, especially in smaller spaces.
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In 2012, about 4.2 million households contained both grandparents and grandchildren.
By 2020
there will be
80 million grandparents (one in three adults) in the United States.
*what does this mean?
we must begin considering transgenerational products.
CONSIDER THIS.
Lydia and Sammy share a bathroom.
Lydia, 60 years Lydia went through a knee replacement surgery and needs to use a toilet riser.
Sammy, 2.3 years Sam is in the process of being toilet trained using a ‘Potty Seat” by her parents.
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THEIR EMOTIONS. attempting to understand and identify pain points for both users.
ANXIOUS
CONFUSED
Bathroom may be unpleasant
Don’t know how to place seat
SCARED
Fear of falling
1. NEED TO GO TO THE BATHROOM The feeling of needing to go to the bathroom is usually unpleasant. It may inconvenient, urgent, or for children and the aging, a scary experience.
DEPENDENT
Requires assistance
2. PLACING TOILET SEAT Children may require assistance to place the training toilet seat and to get onto the toilet. Placing the toilet riser requires strength and grip for the elderly.
Sammy’s Journey
Lydia’s Journey RELIEVED
Purpose is completed
FRUSTRATED
UNCOMFORTABLE
Seat is difficult to lift off
Seat is not ergonomic
ASHAMED
Seat is unaesthetic
3. USING TOILET The toilet seat may slip when the user may be using it. It may also not be comfortable for both users, and getting off the toilet may be difficult.
4. PUTTING TOILET SEAT AWAY Both the child as well as the elder may not want others to see their respective toilet aids. Storage of multiple toilet products for both users is difficult. 69
WHAT’S IN THE BATHROOM?
1
toilet seat riser
why an attachable training toilet seat for sammy?
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training seat
3
stepping stool
It has been seen that attached toilet seats ensure that there is no need to transfer waste, and instill confidence in toddlers. It also occupies less space in the bathroom.
THE CHA L L E NGE
How can we combine a toilet riser for the elderly, with a step stool and kid’s training seat for toddlers?
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SAMMY’S STRUGGLES
“It’s so high, what if I fall inside?”
LYDIA’S STRUGGLES
“It moves when I get up sometimes”
“It’s cold!”
“It gets hard to take on and off.”
“It’s only for big people!”
“It’s plain ugly.”
“I’m scared!”
“It makes me feel old.”
WHAT ELSE IS OUT THERE?
Sterile Not secure Not ergonomic No arm support
Expensive Needs installation Sterile Bulky
Expensive Needs installation Sterile No arm support
Sterile Not secure Bulky Difficult to lift
Bulky Sterile Not ergonomic Expensive
Kid’s training seats are either attached, or removable. They cause spilling, can be unappealing and relatively sterile. They are also not comfortable, and it is hard for the child to use it on their own. 73
EARLY IDEAS.
TESTING.
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FINDING MIDDLE GROUND.
Over 60 High contrasting colors High saturation colors Bright blue and green is difficult
2-4 years Bright primary colors Avoid pastel colors Widely attracted to red and blue
what’s the result?
orange and yellow-green appeal to both age groups.
NEXT STEPS.
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3
2
Final Direction.
Make It.
Test It.
Finalize way to combine the three different products.
Make prototype to test ergonomics and mechanism.
Have user groups test the concept and refine using feedback.
*this project will be completed by early April. 77
thank you.
www.rutvikagupta.com
rpgupta2@illinois.edu
630.442.3363