Overview
Duration
Collaborators
Role
Tools
3 weeks
None
ID, ergonomics
Wood, foam, rubber, spackle, paint, sanding paper, saws, glue
Hand Studies and Ideation
The scope of our studio project was to create interactions through handheld objects made from wood, rubber and foam. In order to understand creation for handheld objects, I conducted numerous hand studies, honing in on the intricate motions and movements of the hand. Through rough sketches, I captured the dynamic interplay between my hands and various objects or environments, paying close attention to hand positions and the influence of form on their placement and interaction with objects. Subsequently, I transitioned into crafting sketches of prototypes, exploring a diverse array of potential interactions to inform the development of innovative designs.
Process
Going from my sketchbook to physical prototyping, I experimented with several wood and rubber models in order to create interactions, playing with the tension of the rubber and creating handheld forms that could intuitively create an interaction for the user. I tried creating various interactions, from direct interaction with the rubber bands to squeezing, pulling, sliding, twisting, and pushing motions. I also experimented with different forms for the handle and tried a circular motion, similar to an interaction with a computer mouse except with more restricted movements.
I played around with different handles using foam and clay and tried creating a form that would encourage the user to squeeze it directly using the shape of my hand - but realized I was designing solely for myself and pivoted to create something anyone could use. Instead of creating a separate handle, I wanted the form to be handheld and intentionally natural for the user to interact with. I enjoyed the circular interaction and then boiled it down to a simpler movement and form that would encourage the user to roll a rounded object.
Final Result
For the final interactive pieces, I wanted to guide the user through the motion of rolling an object through not only the form but through lines on the form. For my first piece, I created a wooden pathway to roll the piece on and aligned the foam curve within the lines of the wooden runway.
For the second piece I kept the design simple and intuitive - my goal was to have the user pick up the object and know what to do with it by simply looking at and holding the form. Transitioning from a soft, donut-like prototype (bottom right of the previous slide) to one with defined hard lines, these lines acted as a visual guide for users, emphasizing their firmness against the softer circular shape of the object.
The wood was kept bare and the foam was coated with white paint and smoothed with spackle.
