Introduction of the need knower
- Twelve-year-old Mindrel Sherab Seldon is a kind and caring child. She enjoys drawing, painting, and sketching. She attends lessons using the Function learning curriculum and studies at Changankha Middle Secondary School.
More about Mendrel Sherab Selden
She claims that one of her favorite subjects in school is ICT and that she enjoys typing. She claims to like spending time with her friends and is socially engaged with them, stating that her friends are there to support her.
Back Story
Her issue first surfaced when she was just 15 months old. She has a strong mental foundation and sharp cognitive abilities. She could eat on her own without assistance. Her mother has always been at her side and helps her go to school. She also likes to use her phone to play games.
About her Problem
- She has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) and has difficulty using her fine motor abilities.
- She has weak grip strength, therefore her mother and instructor help her a lot. Due to a fine motor movement disorder, she was unable to regulate the uncontrollable movements of her hands.
Solution in focus
1. Phone Stand
She requires a convenient and portable mobile holder because her impairment prevents her from holding her phone in the correct position.
2. Paper Holder
Mendel enjoys looking at art. She struggles with fine motor skills, too, so this tool will make her work much easier.
She requires a convenient and portable mobile holder because her impairment prevents her from holding her phone in the correct position.
2. Paper Holder
Mendel enjoys looking at art. She struggles with fine motor skills, too, so this tool will make her work much easier.
Solution in focus
- Grip Holder: This grip holder will help her strengthen her weak gripping muscles and increase her comfort level when gripping.
- Pen holder: She would be able to write and hold her writing instruments more comfortably with the aid of this pen holder.
Solution in focus
- Hand Stretcher: If she doesn't extend her fingers and hand, her muscles will get more curved and she won't be able to stretch herself due to her lack of fine motor movement. Thus, this hand stretcher would benefit her in the long run by allowing her to stretch.
Things to be shared within the team
Team member and their roles:
1. Miho Kumazama(Team Leader)
2. Sonam Norbu(Team sub-Leader)
3. Ryotaro Hayashi
4. Dawa Drukpa(Sub documentation Leader)
5. Ngawang Pemo Drukpa
6. Kinley Penjor(presenter)
7. Penjor Namgay Tamang(Documentation Leader)
8. Tenzin Dorji(Technical Advisor)
Points to focus on in production
- The user must find the developed product comfortable.
- The product needs to meet a minimum threshold for user satisfaction.
- After the prototype is created, the user's feedback must be noted.
- When designing, one must consider the time and resource availability.
References (cases, products already released)
- We just changed the forms and proportions of the design that was uploaded to Fablab Shinagawa to create the pen holder.
- https://www.fablab-shinagawa.org/jscad/penHolder.html#https://www.fablab-shinagawa.org/jscad/designs/brushPenHolder.js
Ideas
- We concentrated on creating a low-tech assistance for her.
- We came up with easy solutions to meet her fundamental needs, such as making her comfortable to write and draw and giving her the right grip.
- We want to provide grip holders, paper holders, cell phone holders, and hand stretchers.
Design for the Prototype
- We developed a few designs based on the requirements of the user. Through brainstorming, our team produced some useful designs.
Prototyping
- Hand Stretcher: This tool facilitates correct hand stretching and offers long-term assistance.
- Materials Used: 3-D printer and TRF+H filament
Prototyping
Paper holder: it facilitates writing and drawing by allowing the user to hold the paper in place.
Materials Used: 3-D printer,PLA filament, wood and laser cutting machine
Prototyping
Grip Holder: It facilitates the user's ability to grasp objects comfortably and supports their grip.
Materials Used: 3-D printer and TPU filament
Prototyping
Pen Holder: It facilitates simple writing and sketching by allowing the user to hold the pen and pencil comfortably.
Material Used: 3-D printer andTPU filament
Prototyping
Mobile phone holder: It makes it possible for the user to hold the phone comfortably on their own without help. It enables trouble-free viewing for the user.
Materials Used: Wood, Laser cutting machine and Super glue
Before Protoype with User
uncomfortable writing in a school setting. To view films and movies on the phone, you must hold it. lacked the necessary grasp and support when writing. must provide support for her sketching and writing on the paper.
After Prototype with User
She found it easier to write. She has found it to be comfortable. kept her posture correct while she was writing. assisted her in watching films and videos.
User Feedbacks
- She was at ease with the gadget.
- able to do her duties with ease.
- She thought the gadget would help her and enjoy it.
- She was content.
Future plans
- will work on the body's lower regions;
- Something to steady her legs
- creating a portable keyboard for typing.
- an improved hand stretcher.
- Adjustable phone stand.