Secondary research

On efficient use of space

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Design Brief

Perspective
We want to enable the elderly user to reach into formerly hard to reach spaces in their kitchen. In order to achieve this we ant to create a safe, affordable and easy to use design, which can be a product or furniture. Through this, the space which is provided in the kitchen can be used more efficient. The final design should not to break the habits of users and still provide leeway to make adjustments or customize it for their needs. Although the product or furniture should be easy to use, there can be a complicated system behind.

Kitchen Madness and Inspiration

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

via: dornob.com

Presentation of the First Ideas

We held our first design presentation on Friday which included our persona and the first design ideas. After the feedback we were reminded again that there is still a lot work to do. Because the ideas as they are now either don’t really fit in the environment of a elderly person or are to complicated.

Persona

• Ms. N. Choi
• 65 years old
• Lives alone
• Middle class
• Small physical disabilities
• Has children but they moved out
• Husband died
• Retired
• Active and sportive
• Likes cooking
• Social life: gathering with friends
• Open for new things
• Wants to learn new things

Ms. N. Choi is 65 years-old and retired. She has one daughter who has married. She is middle class and lives alone in public housing because her husband is dead. She has many friends and they are living in the same housing estate. She likes exercising, cooking and gathering. Sometimes, she will eat with family and friends. She is open and willing to learn different things.

Insights

1. the person who is cooking in the kitchen has little space for movement
2. for elderly most electronic appliances are considered complicated
3. elderly do no trust electronic cooking and prefer cooking with open flames
4. most cutting boards are traditionally round and heavy
5. broken utensils and appliances are provisionally repaired by the elderly
6. in most public housing (49% of people live in public housing) the basic kitchen furniture (work top, board, sink) belongs to the estate

Secondary research

Focus areas: movable storage & floor storage…& other interesting things

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

And here are some links…
http://www.monotsukuri.net/japan/autodoor/autodoor.htm
http://www.trendhunter.com/slideshow/foldaway-furniture
http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-create-hidden-floor-storage/index.html
http://hubpages.com/hub/KitchenStorageChoices
movie:

Study on collapsibitity

One of the interesting direction for our design might be collapsibility. That’s why we looked up a bunch of pictures of collapsible items.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Study on Adjustability

One of the interesting direction for our design might be adjustability. That’s why we looked up a bunch of pictures of adjustable items.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Study on modularity

One of the interesting direction for our design might be modularity. That’s why we looked up a bunch of pictures of modular items.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.