Concept explainers
Designing the Everyday
Michael Graves, probably best known for his singing teakettle sold at Target, was the first architect to have his own consumer brand of home products. His more than 800 product designs for Target helped the company differentiate itself from other big box stores and introduced the value of design to the American public. He also designed the scaffolding to protect the National Monument during major restorations, the Denver public library, walking sticks for Kimberley Clark, and more. Many years and design projects later, Graves fell ill and, wheelchair bound, turned his attention to “patient-centered health care design.”
When you think about it, the traditional wheelchair has a horrendous design. It is uncomfortable, difficult to get in and out of, hard to push and maneuver, and most egregiously, patients actually put their hands on the wheels that have been picking up debris and germs from the hospital floors to self-propel themselves. As seen in the photo, Graves’ design, produced by Stryker, has a more comfortable and cleanable molded seat with multi-formed armrests to aid entering and exiting the chair, smaller solid wheels located in the back out of reach of the patient, elevated handles and foot-operated brakes to alleviate back strain for the care provider, and a smaller footprint so multiple chairs can be stacked until needed. Attachments are not removable so they cannot be lost and are less likely to break. From the wheelchairs, Graves went on to design hospital beds and rooms, rehab centers, housing for wounded soldiers, elderly care facilities and ergonomically useful healthcare products. Although Graves passed away in 2015, the design firm that bears his name continues to win awards for patient-centered and customer-centric design.
Think about products that you use everyday. Is there a design that frustrates you or that needs a complete redesign? What ideas do you have that would improve the product for the user?
Case summary:
MG is known for his over 800 product designs. He made these designs for T, and these helped the company to differentiate itself from other big box stores. His portfolio includes the design of the scaffolding of the NM and DPL.
When he fell ill and became wheelchair-bound, he began to focus on patient-centered health care design.
The traditional wheelchair has a very cumbersome design. It is difficult to get in and out of. Patients are constantly touching the wheels to self-propel themselves. These wheels are also rolling on the hospital floors and constantly picking up dirt and germs. The conventional design is also very uncomfortable for patients. Further, it is difficult to push and maneuver.
G’ design is more advanced. The seat is molded, with movable armrests that makes it easier for patients to get in and out of. It has smaller wheels, that are out of reach of the patient. it is easier for the caretaker to use also, because it has elevated handles, and foot operated brakes which ease back strain. The chair is also more compact than conventional designs, allowing for more efficient storage.
G also went on to design hospital beds, housing for wounded soldiers, rehab centers, elderly care facilities among other things.
He passed away in 2015, but his design firm continues to win awards for customer centric design.
To determine: Is there a design that frustrates you or that needs a complete redesign? What ideas do you have that would improve the product for the user?
Explanation of Solution
Everyday use products that have a frustrating design and need a complete redesign:
A toothbrush is an everyday product that has a frustrating design. The bristle head of the brush lasts for about one month after which the entire toothbrush has to be thrown away. This creates a huge amount of plastic waste.
One idea for a better design is a reusable toothbrush, wherein the head can be replaced when it is worn out. In this way, the handle is reused, and the only thing being thrown away is the head piece with the bristles. This will lead to cost savings for the user, and a sizable decrease in plastic waste.
The conventional toothbrush has a frustrating design and a reusable toothbrush can lead to cost savings while reducing plastic waste.
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