- Use of Chopping Board as background.
- Sketches would look as if they are etched onto the choping board
*Update: We have changed the design
Thursday, 14 April 2016
Design Process: Draft design of presentation board
- Use of Chopping Board as background.
- Sketches would look as if they are etched onto the choping board
*Update: We have changed the design
Wednesday, 6 April 2016
Design Process: Interviews Part 3
Due to his very busy schedule, Dr Rosenfeld was unable to fully answer our interview questions. However, he has kindly offered us a few suggestions about our Carousel Stove. Since we mentioned that the Carousel Stove would eliminate the need for the Elderly to make trips from the sink to the stove to fill up a pot with water, he questioned us if it was really the case. He mentions that perhaps they would prefer making trips using a smaller and lighter pot. Therefore, we went ahead and did a short interview with the Elderly close to us: Our grandparents.
In fact, my grandmother responded that she actually prefers to fill up water into the pot in one go as she does not want to waste time. The others had similar responses.
Saturday, 26 March 2016
Design Process: Material exploration for Sinks
We have decided to go ahead with the Carousel stove and in order to decide what materials it should be made of, I did a quick research on what materials are used to make sinks today:
(http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/14443113/list/kitchen-faqs-selecting-your-sink-material)
1. Stainless Steel
- Most popular
- Cheapest ($100 onwards)
- Easy to maintain
- Only problem is that it is noisy
2. Composite Granite
- No scratch or water marks
- Can crack if mishandled
- Price Range $300 to $600
3. Fire Clay
- High resistance to stains, cracks and chips
- Easy to clean
- $400 to $1000
4. Cast Iron
- Very durable
- But also very heavy
- $300 to $900
5. Quartz
- Scratches show easily
- $800 to $1200
Personally, I favour Stainless Steel and Composite Granite as they are more value for money. It is important that our final product is as affordable as possible. Howver, Composite Granite has a weakness of cracking, hence I went to find variations of Composite Granite.
BLANCO SILGRANIT® Sinks
Blanco is a German company specialising in sinks. They are highly durable and much more easier to maintain compared to other variations of Composite Granite sinks. Furthermore, they come in a variety of colours which the company claims that it is "non-fading". This is actually a good feature because as mentioned before in my previous post, the Elderly do favour good designs hence this feature will encourage them to use the Carousel Stove. This will be a good materials for the "countertop" part of the Carousel Stove as we cannot use the same Stainless Steel we plan to use for the sink due to the presence of induction cooktops.
Design Process: Design Solutions
We started off with 4 different possible solutions to our problem.
Eventually, we chose to focus on the Carousel Stove as we felt that it will most aid the Elderly to cook for themselves. Moreover, the Stove and the Sink are both of the most used appliance in the kitchen. Hence, the Carousel stove will be a combination of both.
Wednesday, 16 March 2016
Design Process: Interviews Part 2
Friday, 11 March 2016
Design Process: Interviews Part 1
We have started doing Chapter 2 of the proposal and my group and I have chosen to interview experts who are knowledgeable about our topic, mainly: the Kitchen and the Elderly. After finding ways to get in contact with relevant experts, two of them replied to us:
1) Sally Benjamin from Comfort Keepers. Comfort Keepers is a company who is "dedicated to providing in-home care to senior citizens and others who need help with activities of daily living" and their goal is to "allow people to stay in their own homes rather than seeking other care alternatives". We have arranged an interview session with her next week.
2) Dr Jeffrey Rosenfeld, an Environmental Gerontologist who looks at the interplay of aging, architecture, and other design fields. We found out about him through one of the books we browsed for the Bibliography assignment, "Unassisted Living: Ageless Homes for Later Life". He has expressed interest in sharing his opinions with us, but could only respond to us after 25th March as he is currently on holiday.
We will be asking them these questions:
1. What are the most common problems do you personally think (or might have encountered) the elderly face in the kitchen?
2. What do you think are the causes for these problems?
3. What changes do you wish were made to the kitchen?
4. Do you have any kitchen products or changes in the layout that have been made in the market thus far that you like / feel that there is potential?
5. What are the qualities that you think they should have? (be it layout or a product) eg. Compact, easy to use, water resistant, etc.
6. If it is a product, what is/are the ideal material(s) to be used?
1) Sally Benjamin from Comfort Keepers. Comfort Keepers is a company who is "dedicated to providing in-home care to senior citizens and others who need help with activities of daily living" and their goal is to "allow people to stay in their own homes rather than seeking other care alternatives". We have arranged an interview session with her next week.
2) Dr Jeffrey Rosenfeld, an Environmental Gerontologist who looks at the interplay of aging, architecture, and other design fields. We found out about him through one of the books we browsed for the Bibliography assignment, "Unassisted Living: Ageless Homes for Later Life". He has expressed interest in sharing his opinions with us, but could only respond to us after 25th March as he is currently on holiday.
We will be asking them these questions:
1. What are the most common problems do you personally think (or might have encountered) the elderly face in the kitchen?
2. What do you think are the causes for these problems?
3. What changes do you wish were made to the kitchen?
4. Do you have any kitchen products or changes in the layout that have been made in the market thus far that you like / feel that there is potential?
5. What are the qualities that you think they should have? (be it layout or a product) eg. Compact, easy to use, water resistant, etc.
6. If it is a product, what is/are the ideal material(s) to be used?
Thursday, 25 February 2016
Design Process: Research Methodology
We were given this Kickstarter Guide as a checklist for our proposal.
Our team met up to discuss about how we are going to do our research. We decided on 3 of them: Internet (secondary), Survey (Primary) and Interview (Primary).
Saturday, 13 February 2016
Design Process: Another Case Study Research
Case Study 2:
Kitchen Living in Later Life: Exploring Ergonomic Problems, Coping Strategies and Design Solutions (http://www.ijdesign.org/ojs/index.php/IJDesign/article/view/1216/615)Areas to note:
1.
-Study kitchen layout, kitchen item's design, etc
-In interwiews, ask about:
- Personal preferences
- Lifestyle (How often they use the kitchen, what do they cook,etc)
- Past experiences in the kitchen/problems faced
- How much of a significance is the kitchen to them?
-Potential problems:
- Lighting
- Hearing (could not hear sound of kettle boiling,etc)
- Mobility (some seniors require the aid of wheelchairs, walking sticks,etc)
- Reaching Bending and Posture
- Strength and Dexterity
- Kitchen Size, Layout and Space
- Food preparation (lack of strength for chopping and peeling, baking for hours
- Making hot drinks
- Use of Microwaves (food items too hot to transport)
- Washing dishes
- Waste disposal
- Cleaning
- Laundry
-Solutions used to overcome the problems:
- Carousel Shelf
- Handles at the bottom of windows in the kitchen
- Cupboards located at a more reachable height
- Cups and saucer racks
- Additional shelving
- Rubber mat for carton opening
- Ring pull tin opener
- Kitchen timer
- Use dishwasher
-Eldery feel inertia about making changes to their kitchen as it is expensive
-Recommendations:
- Ensuring enough light and instruction visibility
- Easier access and more storage
- Addressing problems of strength and dexterity
- More flexible kitchens
- Bespoke kitchens
Saturday, 6 February 2016
Design Process: Talk and Case Study Research
For this week, we had attended a talk by Professor Tay Kheng Soon, a practising Architect and adjunct Professor at National University of Singapore's School of Architecture. The points he touched on were interesting, especially how he related design to other disciplines such as psychology and biology. A phrase he mentioned that struck me the most was that focusing on purely style and aesthetics was "the lowest level of design". It gave me a reminder that design has to have substance as well. During the talk, he often stressed on 'Humanising' whatever we design. He explained how a tropical environment, such as Singapore, should have buildings built to adapt to the climate itself. Our current buildings actually increases the environmental temperature, a phenomenon known as 'Urban Heat Island", which is due to the modification of land surfaces. He proceeded to show some examples of Green and Eco-Friendly buildings. That really gave me an in-depth understanding of how much thinking has to go behind a design.
There was also a briefing for WGSN, a world leading trend authority, serving the fashion and creative industries. The forecast trends and have articles on design as well. They also have stock photos which we could use, so it is good to keep them in mind for the group project.
This research focusing on challenges that the Elderly face living alone. Some points to take note of for the group's design problem (The kitchen is a dangerous place for the elderly/how to make it convenient and easy for elderly to cook for themselves):
-They are concerned about their living expenses, therefore we should take into account the affordability of our design
-Loss of mobility, but wishes to be independent and not cause others burden
-In need of socializing and emotional support
-They mostly desire to age in place
-There is a growing group of seniors living alone:
"Approximately 8.2% of the senior population in Singapore was living alone according to 2010 census, an increase from 7.7% in 2005, and 6.6% in 2000 (Department of Statistics, January 2006)"
and
" In 1998, only 15.2% of seniors expressed intentions to live alone, but in a 2005 survey (Straits Times, 21 June 2005), 24.3% had indicated that they wanted to live alone"
-More accessible and affordable for seniors to live alone:
"new policies and measures such as the building of Housing and Development Board (HDB) studio flats for seniors since 1998 (The Straits Times, 13 January 2009), the HDB Lease Buyback Scheme introduced in March 2009 (The Straits Times, March 2, 2009), and a 20 percent increase to the stock of rental flats in HDB in 2009 (The Straits Times, August 23, 2008)"
-However, there is an increased risk of seniors attempting suicides due to the loneliness of living alone
There was also a briefing for WGSN, a world leading trend authority, serving the fashion and creative industries. The forecast trends and have articles on design as well. They also have stock photos which we could use, so it is good to keep them in mind for the group project.
Case Study research:
Seniors living alone in Singapore:
http://www.socialserviceinstitute.org/RP/Elderly/Fulltext/10.pdfThis research focusing on challenges that the Elderly face living alone. Some points to take note of for the group's design problem (The kitchen is a dangerous place for the elderly/how to make it convenient and easy for elderly to cook for themselves):
-They are concerned about their living expenses, therefore we should take into account the affordability of our design
-Loss of mobility, but wishes to be independent and not cause others burden
-In need of socializing and emotional support
-They mostly desire to age in place
-There is a growing group of seniors living alone:
"Approximately 8.2% of the senior population in Singapore was living alone according to 2010 census, an increase from 7.7% in 2005, and 6.6% in 2000 (Department of Statistics, January 2006)"
and
" In 1998, only 15.2% of seniors expressed intentions to live alone, but in a 2005 survey (Straits Times, 21 June 2005), 24.3% had indicated that they wanted to live alone"
-More accessible and affordable for seniors to live alone:
"new policies and measures such as the building of Housing and Development Board (HDB) studio flats for seniors since 1998 (The Straits Times, 13 January 2009), the HDB Lease Buyback Scheme introduced in March 2009 (The Straits Times, March 2, 2009), and a 20 percent increase to the stock of rental flats in HDB in 2009 (The Straits Times, August 23, 2008)"
-However, there is an increased risk of seniors attempting suicides due to the loneliness of living alone
Saturday, 23 January 2016
Design Process: Bibliography
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books
Minguet, Josep M, ed. Contemporary Living Spaces for The Elderly. Barcelona, Spain: Instituto Monsa de Ediciones, 2009.
Chapman, Wid, and Rosenfeld, Jeffery P. Unassisted Living: Ageless Homes for Later Life. United States: The Monacelli Press, 2011.
Newspapers
Koh, Valerie. 'Smart System Help Carers Monitor Seniors from Afar'. Today. 18 Mar. 2015. 25.
Hardasmalani, Rumi. 'Extension 'Expected with Ageing Society, Tight Labour Workforce''. Today. 24 Aug. 2015. 12.
Websites
Lepaludier, Elodie. Humus Creative User Lab. Created 29 Aug. 2012. Accessed 23 Jan 2016 <http://www.humus-studio.org/?p=1253>.
Henry, Roseann. Building. Created 10 Feb. 2012. Accessed 23 Jan 2016 <http://www.building.co.uk/kitchen-design-for-the-over-65s-older-and-wiser/5031208.article>.
Saturday, 16 January 2016
Design Process: Persona, Video and Research on what makes a good presentation
Our group was tasked to film a video to display our empathy towards our target group for the project: The elderly. Before we had the video filmed, we have to come up with a persona (our main character) and a story. We decided to go with this persona:
Name: Mr. Tan
Age: 75
Gender: Male
Occupation: Was a teacher. Now retired.
Family condition: Financially stable. Has a short temper and pretty stubborn to receive help from others.
Family members: Lives alone. Wife deceased. Has a son that sends him money but hardly visits him. Has a few sibilings but do not see them much.
Address: 1 Rochor Rd, #03-365, Singapore 180001
The reason why we chose an elderly man is because the stereotype is that men tend to use the kitchen less, and hence they are less experienced in the kitchen. They make a good example to show how much the kitchen can be an inconvenience to the elderly.
We then proceeded to write out the story:
It was a usual late afternoon and Mr Tan was deciding what he should have for dinner. He could head over to the hawker centre a stone’s throw away from his home, but he was getting sick of all the food after decades of patronizing the stalls. He shuffled into the kitchen as he continued to ponder about his dinner. In the midst of his dilemma, the sharp ring from his handphone jolted him back to reality. He reached for the phone in his pocket and squinted his eyes as he read the caller ID, “Son”. Glee immediately overcame him and he picked up the call.
“Hi Pa, I’m coming home for dinner tonight.” A young man’s voice uttered from the other end of the line.
“Ohhh, you coming home tonight ah?” The old man replied as he smiled and nodded his head to express his approval.
Almost right after the call ended, Mr Tan had decided that he will make dinner. Mr Tan knew very well that he was not the best at cooking, but it was such a rare occasion that his son would come home for dinner. With all the ingredients ready, he began preparing his son’s favourite dish. With shaky hands, he tried to reach for a cup on the top shelf, but it fell onto his head and to the floor instead. Silently, he blamed himself for his clumsiness as he bent down to pick it up. It was a challenge and he looked as if he had used up all his might just for the simple action of retrieving the cup.
Wanting to boil some water, Mr Tan brought a pot to the sink to fill it up with water. However, it proved to be too heavy for him as he struggled to lift the water-filled pot up from the sink. He spilled most of the water as a result and decided to place it onto the stove first. He had to use the cup to transfer more water into the pot from the tap. His struggles did not end there as he accidentally spilled some water onto the kitchen floor. It had made the floor slippery and with one careless step forward he slipped and fell onto the floor. Pain surged through his back, but what he felt most strongly was how useless he felt about himself and his inability to even prepare a simple dish for his son.
And last but not least, here is our video:
We also did some research on what makes a good presentation:
A presentation is a means of communication used for talking in a group, addressing a meeting or briefing a team. Having enough preparation and the method of your presentation is the key to a good presentation.
 |
| Source: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1141/527472959_4f5e5347b0.jpg?v=0 |
Name: Mr. Tan
Age: 75
Gender: Male
Occupation: Was a teacher. Now retired.
Family condition: Financially stable. Has a short temper and pretty stubborn to receive help from others.
Family members: Lives alone. Wife deceased. Has a son that sends him money but hardly visits him. Has a few sibilings but do not see them much.
Address: 1 Rochor Rd, #03-365, Singapore 180001
The reason why we chose an elderly man is because the stereotype is that men tend to use the kitchen less, and hence they are less experienced in the kitchen. They make a good example to show how much the kitchen can be an inconvenience to the elderly.
We then proceeded to write out the story:
It was a usual late afternoon and Mr Tan was deciding what he should have for dinner. He could head over to the hawker centre a stone’s throw away from his home, but he was getting sick of all the food after decades of patronizing the stalls. He shuffled into the kitchen as he continued to ponder about his dinner. In the midst of his dilemma, the sharp ring from his handphone jolted him back to reality. He reached for the phone in his pocket and squinted his eyes as he read the caller ID, “Son”. Glee immediately overcame him and he picked up the call.
“Hi Pa, I’m coming home for dinner tonight.” A young man’s voice uttered from the other end of the line.
“Ohhh, you coming home tonight ah?” The old man replied as he smiled and nodded his head to express his approval.
Almost right after the call ended, Mr Tan had decided that he will make dinner. Mr Tan knew very well that he was not the best at cooking, but it was such a rare occasion that his son would come home for dinner. With all the ingredients ready, he began preparing his son’s favourite dish. With shaky hands, he tried to reach for a cup on the top shelf, but it fell onto his head and to the floor instead. Silently, he blamed himself for his clumsiness as he bent down to pick it up. It was a challenge and he looked as if he had used up all his might just for the simple action of retrieving the cup.
Wanting to boil some water, Mr Tan brought a pot to the sink to fill it up with water. However, it proved to be too heavy for him as he struggled to lift the water-filled pot up from the sink. He spilled most of the water as a result and decided to place it onto the stove first. He had to use the cup to transfer more water into the pot from the tap. His struggles did not end there as he accidentally spilled some water onto the kitchen floor. It had made the floor slippery and with one careless step forward he slipped and fell onto the floor. Pain surged through his back, but what he felt most strongly was how useless he felt about himself and his inability to even prepare a simple dish for his son.
And last but not least, here is our video:
We also did some research on what makes a good presentation:
A presentation is a means of communication used for talking in a group, addressing a meeting or briefing a team. Having enough preparation and the method of your presentation is the key to a good presentation.
10 key points for a good presentation:
⦁ Preparation for presentation.
⦁ Organising materials needed
⦁ Writing down your presentation
⦁ Deciding presentation method
⦁ Organising presentation notes
⦁ Work and improve your slides/visual aids
⦁ Presenting data
⦁ Managing event
⦁ Keep your cool
⦁ Make sure to have answers to possible questions that will be raise
Criteria for a good presentation:
⦁ Organised
⦁ Having a personal style
⦁ Good pace
⦁ Depth of content
⦁ Accuracy of content
⦁ Good use of visual aids
⦁ Responsive to audience
Wednesday, 13 January 2016
Design Process: Understanding our Topic
Our group was assigned the topic "The kitchen is a dangerous place for the elderly/how to make it convenient and easy for elderly to cook for themselves".
In the picture shown above, we listed out what we would like to research further on and considered the possible problems associated with the topic.
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