Download - Student Portfolio - Industrial Design
berlykimandersson
Originally from suburban Philadelphia, Kimberly Andersson is a newcomer to the Boston design scene. After dabbling in some undergraduate mechanical engineering at Penn, she completed a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial design from Virginia Tech in spring 2012. School may have ended, but she hopes to never stop learning. Kimberly’s eclectic interests include healthcare innovation, fitness, nontraditional education, gadgetry, robots, big data, craft beer, roller derby (under the alias ‘Geek Gone Wild’), social media, and the Oxford comma. She’s extroverted, loves dogs, feels most confident in stilettos, drinks far too much coffee, and if it were socially acceptable, would eat breakfast for every meal of the day.
table of contents
TORKwear soft goodsSlate2 furniture/sustainable design, INDEX Design Challenge Mizu healthcare, senior thesis
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TORKWEAR
13 week group projectgroup members: Lisa Cox, Reid Schlegel, Scott Yarbrough
fall 2011
strenuous work dangerous situationswatertightness
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project brief
Commercial fishing is
36times more deadlythan the average occupation.
78%of fatalities occur due to water exposure.
12%of overboard fisherman not wearing PFDs survive.
dangerous situations
the problem
storyboard by Scott Yarbrough
Although personal flotation devices are crucial for survival when falling overboard in these harsh conditions, many commercial fishermen do not wear PFDs while on deck. Unfortunately, of the fishermen we surveyed, a full 100% responded that they wore PFDs “rarely or never”. They felt existing PFDs were too hot and bulky and constrain movement while working on deck, making it easier for their job to just not wear PFDs at all. In addition, fishermen were a ‘macho’ group of people, who felt wearing a PFD may make them appear weaker than they are.
We intended to reduce crewmember fatalities on commercial fishing boats caused by prolonged exposure to freezing ocean waters by creating an improved clothing centered system.
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pool testing
We tested a commercial fishing suit currently on the market at a local pool to grasp first hand the struggle it takes to stay afloat without a PFD. Then we tested our own version - a spandex suit with Velcro straps that would allow us to determine the optimum placement of styrofoam blocks for maximum flotation.
u n n e c e s s a r y bulk
unsafe for unconscious victims
arm placementnot helpful
Q: Do you wear a PFD while fishing?A: Oh no, definitely don’t. For the most part commercial fisherman consider PFD’s too cumbersome and feel like they may lead to other injuries. [...] I only put one on when it gets really bad out. It would make sense to use them, but no one on boats will wear them. You never see them on lobster or crab boats. Legally you are supposed to have them but I have no idea if they exist on most boats.
Q: What do you use to retrieve overboard victims?A: Lifting sling or rings with strobes. Also we some-times don immersion suits and go retrieve them. It is very difficult to swim in an immersion suit. It has such flotation it is hard not to swim on your back. Backstroke is most efficient. We also never use the life ring to hoist victims out of the water. Life rings are also a problem because they can hit the victim in the head.
survey & interviews
Through the website “Alaskan Job Finder,” we sent our survey to 200 fishing captains. Fifteen responded, giving critical insight into their habits, complaints, and preferences when it came to PFDs and clothing.
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100% have strong pride and allegiance to
their boat.
wear protective
gear such as knee pads on
deck.
9%
58%have been injured on deck.
67%have
considered using a flotation
jacket
Waist SynchBoot sleeveknee, nger, elbow, hip, head protectiondispersed �otationlogo customizationintergated gloveshat/hood sleeveintegrated hood visornew knit hat with hoodre�ectorsink packagelocation beaconlocation lightwhistleno snaps - velcro, zip lock, fold over, zippershead sleeve attached to jacket keeps water outlined knee, butt, and elbowsstretchy sections, groin, armpit, elbow, knee
Following pool testing, we generated concepts that included flotation in the specified areas, maximizing buoyancy and minimizing the amount necessary. For aesthetic inspiration, we turned to military combat uniforms, superheroes, and sports performance gear, aiming to develop a masculine, rugged aesthetic and maximum range of motion.
concept development
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Flotation is located on the inner bib pants to make sure that it would still be available even when crewmembers are working without a jacket on.
knee pads
adjustability hexagons
concept development
Iteration continued with a focus on hexagonal tessellation and a matching jacket.
buckles hexagonal tessellation
integrated knife
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final design
knee pads
buckles
knife
hexagons
The jacket has an inner pocket where a personal location beacon can be placed. For easy spotting by other crewmembers, reflectors were added to the arms and hood, which are the most visible parts of the body when in the water. The lime green was used for its bright color, working well with the black details for a macho aesthetic.
features: safety & visibility
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x4
~12minx4
An overboard victim only has 15 minutes before he becomes unconscious. Unfortunately, many commercial vessels take 20 minutes to turn around. By increasing the water temperature by 8 degrees, we double the time they are conscious, providing crucial minutes for survival. The heating component in our suit consists of 4 heat packs of bistable crystals that are activated when a victim falls overboard and is submerged in freezing water for more than 5 seconds. These packs heat instantly to 115 degrees. In our testing, a single heat pack raised the temperature of a gallon of water by 8 degrees in 4 minutes.
<32ºUnconsciousness: 15minSurvival Time: 15-45min
32-40ºUnconsciousness: 15-30minSurvival Time: 30-90min
40-50ºUnconsciousness: 30-60minSurvival Time: 1-3hrs
bait
�shJOHNSON
F.V. WIZARD
features: hood & customization
We found many fishermen wear baseball caps to keep water off their face. We saw this as a great opportunity for integration within the jacket hood. The hard shell of the TORKWEAR hood provides protection while the snaps more efficiently bring the hood closer to the face. Many fishermen already personalize their jackets by using just a permanent marker. TORKWEAR facilitates this expression of boat pride and personality by providing opportunity for customization with a logo or name on the back of the jacket.
adjustability
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One of our goals for TORKWEAR was cultural acceptance. Through our interviews and surveys, we discovered the one tool all commercial fishermen kept on them was a knife. It is useful for the job but most importantly survival, since it can be used to free themselves when tangled in line to prevent further injury or even from being pulled overboard.
reflectors
personal locator beacon pocket
Again, the suit looks GREAT…diesel, in fact. ”
Steve - United Fishing Forum
“
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adjustability
flotationheating customization
Again, the suit looks GREAT…diesel, in fact. ”
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Slate2
11 week group projectgroup members: Lisa Cox, Jason Cusack
INDEX Design Challengefall 2010
old, beat-up furniture no furniturelack of collaboration
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Slate2
Sub-Saharan African schools have absolutely appalling drop-out rates, largely due to lack of interest in learning when time could be spent working in the fields. Slate2 aims to combat this by creating a system that can be used both in the classroom and at home to promote interest in learning.
no furniture
the problem
Design research for Slate2 included telephone inter-views with experts around the globe.
interviews & design research
Describe the furniture used in schools.This ranges from nothing (sitting on ground under a shade tree), to benches under a tree, to chairs or benches with tables or desks. Often, the quantity is inadequate because of cost. Also, I’m not sure if they are furniture or not, but blackboards/whiteboards are a basic piece of equipment. -Tim Cox of USAID
(US Agency for International Development)
Are parents involved with their child’s education?Parents seem to be minimally involved in the village I worked in. Many are illiterate and can’t help with homework. Also, all are farmers and have much work to do on their farms. Most students help their parents on the farms when school is out. -Paco Martin del Campo
senior, Columbia University
What type of furniture is used in the classroom?If they are lucky, students have shared desks. If not, they sit on the floor. If they do have furniture, the rooms are often crowded with desks and students with only a narrow pathway for the teacher. In the class I visited, there were 58 students in the room to one teacher. Four kids shared a desk that was about 36 inches long. The children there are very thin. -Van Nguyen,
Regional Inspector General’s Office in Dakar, Senegal
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Knowing we would likely be focusing on furniture, we made a trip to a local elementary school for firsthand data on sizing for primary school children.
group collaboration second grade seats : 14” talldesks : 10” x 13”
Slate2
concept development : slate
We wanted to create a slate system that could be used in the classroom and then brought home, so students could teach their younger siblings what they had learned, empowering the next generation.
chalk storage materials & sizingcustomization
Iteration started out with a slate that locked into a circular desk. Later, decisions were finalized on a double sided, foldable blackboard with a bumper, handle on one side, and a groove in which to store a writing utensil.
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Initial concepts included a table that held six arced slates. Full scale drawings allowed a better understanding of the total size and proportions of the slate.
materials & sizing
Slate2
features : slate
The rubber bumper protects the edges and corners of the slate, and creates a water-tight seal when closed in order to protect papers and writing.
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concept development : desk
all-in-one
group writing surface
fabric : materialityadjustability for different
size children
Slate2
For the classroom, we created a desk to provide a simple, yet rugged writing surface that would complement the use of the slate and comfortably fit primary school children from ages 6 to 12.
desk
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Foot Rest
Slate Support Surface(with Handle)
Support Bars Molded Seat (with Handle)
Legless Steel Frame
Slate2
Interior chalkboard surfaces(A4 paper size)Living
Hinge
C h a l k Indent
Bumper
Handle
components & manufacturability
Our final slate concept is composed of an injection-molded SantopreneTM bumper surrounding two double-sided masonite pieces coated with chalkboard paint, for a cost-effective, simple solution. The rubber bumper provides a living hinge between the surfaces, as well as durability, weatherproofing, and comfort. The slate is the size of an A4 sheet of paper (the standard in most of Africa and Europe), allowing kids to store school lesson sheets safely inside during transport.
The writing and seating surfaces on the desk are crafted from molded plywood, and the frame is constructed from galvanized steel rod, coated to prevent rust and take a beating.
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prototyping
While we did not have the technology or time to model it in bent plywood or rubber, we did build full-scale prototypes from wood, steel, and masonite. During the final presentation, our professor asked to take it home for his four-year old, and we were able to comfortably sit in it, proving that it would indeed fit primary school children all the way through high school.
Slate2
The dual surfaces of Slate2 allow for a truly inspiring interaction between two students, family members, or friends. In class, Slate2 allows two partners to work more efficiently by being able to see and interact with the other’s work. At home, whether teaching or simply drawing pictures, Slate2 creates a fun, yet intimate environment for family members and friends.
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handhold allows kids to drag desks across the room
fits both tall and short children
two children can use one Slate2
desks angle together
Slate2
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mizusemester-long senior thesis
spring 2012
Anorexia and bulimia affect over 14 million Americans. They have no shape, size, background, or gender. While they are psychological issues with emotions at the heart, the majority of eating disorder patients focus externally, using numbers such as weights and calorie counts as measures of self-worth.
A survey of over 30 women across varying levels of eating disorder recovery led to the follow insights:
weigh themselves.
find scales to be “very triggering”.
77% 29%
research
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said that in their ideal world, the product they would most like to see altered to become more conducive to recovery is a scale. The only other responses given were “jeans having size labels”, “calorie counts in restaurants”, “magazine covers”, “food trackers”, “diet programs”, “doctors”, “models”, “the media”, “parents”,and “muffins”.
20%Thus, my goal was to create a new type of weight measurement system that keeps eating disorder patients accountable to gain, loss, or maintenance plans while removing triggers such as numbers and visual connections to the traditional bathroom scale.
mizu
thesis proposal
how can this...
become this?
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“I haven’t been on a scale in about a year, but I think that something completely different would be best. If it could be completely psychologically separated from the mental or physical memory and associations of stepping onto a scale, that would be the most likely to work for me.”Kelsey, age 26, bulimic since age 12
mizu
Kelly is a 21-year-old college student who has struggled with both anorexia and bulimia since she was nine. She skips meals, binges on junk food, vomits, or overexercises almost every day, but recently started getting help by seeing a therapist and attending small group therapy at her school for people with eating disorders. Kelly is not yet ready to give up the scale entirely, but needs a way to keep accountable to herself and others. She currently weighs only 80% of what is expected for her height, and even a few pounds more of weight loss could produce dire medical consequences.
user persona
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Ideation started out just with ideas on how to get the furthest away from traditional scales while retaining some sort of visual representation. Methods of measurement included sitting, lying, hanging, dancing, and jumping.
mizu
concept development
concept development
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mizu
Further iteration, after deciding the user would sit on the device, focused on ways to incorporate nature elements - specifically, using a water fountain. The water level rising or falling, with rust or dye to mark where it had previously been, would allow users to see change in trend without worrying about specific numbers.
seating withpressure sensor
A full-scale prototype was created using red oak and 14-gauge matte steel. It took about a week and a half in the shop.
prototyping
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display element
seating withpressure sensor
speakers
mizu
good morning, kelly.
would you like to program an accountability number?lauren,555.632.5491
thanks, Kelly.Lauren will be notified by text if there is a constant significant weight loss or gain.
features
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There was some hesitation with the idea of reporting specific numbers of weight loss or gain (though not the actual weight) to accountability people. However, it was deemed necessary in order to keep Mizu as a valid medical device.
mizu
The main basin is in the shape of an inverted pyramid such that it is more obvious when a user is losing weight, and less obvious when they are gaining. This small innovation will decrease anxiety about gaining small amounts of weight.
features
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kelly,would you like to hear a guided meditation, music, or positive affirmations?
mizu
Mizu could be sold both in retail stores such as Bed, Bath and Beyond and Target or marketed to doctors and therapists to sell to their eating-disordered and dieting patients. While it has many spiritual healing possibilities, it is still primarily a medical tool.
marketing & customization
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Susan is a yo-yo dieter who has struggled with her weight since she was a child. She wants to lose weight in a healthy way, but always gets distracted and angry when the numbers fluctuate upwards. She needs a simple scale that can tell her if she’s losing, while taking out all the noise. She needs the support of others while dieting, so she plans to share her weight loss progress with her best friend. She also wants to bring meditation and spirituality into her diet journey, so her doctor suggested that Mizu would be a great place to start.
MIke is a 24-year old male who practices yoga on a regular basis. He’s currently trying to increase his muscle mass and needs a way to track his progress. He finds traditional bathroom scales boring, and thinks Mizu would be a great way to integrate his weigh-ins with his daily meditation practice.
mizu
additional users
features
For people with eating disorders, scales are incredibly personal, and Mizu is no exception. Thus, it was designed for one person only, and might be found in a bedroom rather than a bathroom, to provide more privacy for meditation and retain an understanding for a bit of the secrecy from roommates, family members, and such.
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“I wouldn’t be afraid to look at the water going up or down, or if anything, there wouldn’t be a number to obsess about.” Kiki, 23, Delawareeating disordered since age 10
“The new scale is absolutely fabulous. I love just sitting there and feeling comfortable and not having to look at a number.” Eileen, 66, Pennsylvaniaeating disordered since age 13
I attended a congressional lobby day for the Federal Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders (F.R.E.E.D.) Act, sponsored by the Eating Disorders Coalition, and spoke to these three women about Mizu.
reactions
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“Ok, so I just think it’s amazing that there’s something out there than can, you know, promote us in our healthy endeavors, however eliminate that number that can be all-defining, or seeming like that, and I think that’s really cool. And, um, I really appreciate the positive affirmations and meditation and the peaceful water to tell something about us instead of this number.
So, I really like it.”mizu
Vanessa, 18, Coloradoeating disordered since age 15
thankyou.
