Hey guys,
I am currently working on my senior thesis–concentrating on designing walking crutches for children ages 6-9 years old. I’m a big advocate of the type of criticism students receive on Core and it’s a great way for us to document our process, so here it goes. Also, any feedback or criticism is always welcomed!
So far I have developed my initial problem statement and design criteria (which I have listed below). Keep in mind that this will be constantly evolving as I move forward with the project. Currently, I am conducting research to get a better understanding of the types of issues and problems that are experienced while using crutches. I will post my progress soon.
Problem Statement
Design walking crutches for children aged 6 to 9 years old that help alleviate the social stigma associated with walking disabilities by maximizing style, comfort, and most importantly, functionality.
User Criteria
This user group consists of children, both male and female, who’s ages range from 6 to 9 years old. At this stage in life, children are very concerned with peer approval and place a high priority on “fitting in”. Children at this age also place emphasis on succeeding in physical ways. Any type of disability that hampers their physical appearance and/or ability to perform physical activities may be detrimental to their self-esteem.
Physical Criteria
The walking crutches must be designed, ergonomically correct, around the body’s shape and size of the user group. Since different ages are being taken into consideration, a reasonable amount of adjustment should be included into the design to accommodate for different heights and arm lengths. The design and use of materials should be durable, sturdy, and somewhat flexible (comfortable) to support the user’s body weight and movement in a natural way. Due to the limitation of strength within this user group, the design should be lightweight, easy to handle while walking, and easy to pick up. The crutch to surface contact point must be durable and stable under different types of conditions (dry, wet, etc.)
Communication Criteria
The overall design of the walking crutches should be simple and intuitive, with a focus on the adjustability and maneuverability of the crutches by the user. This can be represented through a visual language that is easy for the user group to relate to and understand.
Aesthetics Criteria
Walking crutches typically look like some type of inexpensive medical equipment that only brings more attention to a person’s disability—this is what this redesign must avoid. The design needs to convey a sense of style that not only blends in with the users own aesthetic, but the aesthetic of his or her surroundings. The design should appear confident—creating a sense of comfort within the user.
Cost Criteria
The cost of the crutches should be a reasonable price ($80-100) due to the fact that they will only be used temporarily.
), which will obviously greatly affect how expensive and personal they will be. I am a little unsure if I should concentrate on a user who has a permanent disability or a temporary disability/injury–I plan to touch on this during my interview with the physical therapist. I’m sure she will give me a lot of great insights in this regard. But, there are some major design opportunities with the current walking crutch that can easily apply to both markets, so I’m not too concerned about changing from temporary to permanent a little into concept development if need be.
