Author: yagmurcotuk

On Sunday, we planned to meet for a discussion on our refined design ideas. However, due to a misunderstanding, we decided to postpone the session to Monday. On Monday evening, both teams came together to share our refined ideas and provided each other with valuable feedback. The discussions were insightful, and we’re excited about the direction we’re heading! We’ve decided to finalize and upload our final designs by Friday evening, considering the following key points: exact dimensions for all critical components, , ensuring precision in the prototyping phase. specify the materials completed design details

1. Garden Buddy Cane: A Helping Hand for Seniors The design concept revolves around a specialized cane that integrates features to assist elderly users in gardening activities. As many older adults engage in gardening for its therapeutic benefits, this cane will provide both mobility support and gardening functionality, making it easier for them to enjoy their hobby while maintaining their independence. Design Features: Hose Connection Point:A durable attachment point on the cane allows for easy connection of a garden hose. This feature enables elderly users to water plants without bending or straining, ensuring they can care for their gardens comfortably. Hose Securing and Directing Head:The cane will incorporate a mechanism to secure and direct the garden hose. This could include adjustable clamps or guides that keep the hose in place while users water their plants, preventing tangles and ensuring efficient water distribution. Ergonomic Handle:The handle of the cane will be designed to be comfortable and easy to grip, possibly with padded or textured surfaces. This ensures that users can hold onto the cane securely while also maneuvering the hose. Lightweight Materials:Constructed from lightweight yet sturdy materials, the cane will be easy to carry around the garden, reducing fatigue for elderly users who may have limited strength. Storage Compartment:A small storage compartment can be integrated into the cane to hold gardening tools, gloves, or seed packets, allowing users to have everything they need at hand while they work in the garden. 2. Companion Cane: A Caring Design for Seniors and Their Pets The design concept revolves around a multifunctional cane not only providing support for walking but also includes features that cater to pet care, promoting an active lifestyle and social interactions for both seniors and their dogs. Design Features: Integrated Dog Waste Bag Dispenser: The cane will feature a discreet, attachable compartment for storing dog waste bags. This convenient dispenser allows seniors to easily access bags during walks, making it hassle-free to clean up after their pets. Collapsible Water Bowl: A foldable, lightweight water bowl will be integrated into the cane’s design. Seniors can quickly deploy the bowl to provide water for their dogs while out on walks. The bowl can be made from durable, easy-to-clean materials. Comfort Grip for Pet Leash: Design an additional, padded grip on the handle specifically for holding a dog leash, providing extra comfort during extended walks. This could reduce strain on the hand and wrist. 3.Customizable Cane & Workshop Experience This idea transforms the cane into more than just a mobility aid; it becomes a platform for creativity and social interaction among older adults. The cane’s design allows for personal customization, and workshops are organized to bring seniors together to decorate and personalize their canes. Design Features: Modular Customization: Interchangeable Covers: Users can attach and swap covers on the cane’s body. These covers can be painted, decorated with patterns, or adorned with knitted accessories to reflect personal stories or interests. Photo & Memory Compartment: Small, transparent compartments on the cane allow users to display…

PROJECT BRIEF  For your project we want you to design a storage unit for winter preparations. We will be explaining what kind of aspects you should be focusing on.     (This is Yağmur's grandmother Hacer, preparing foods for winter.) DESIGNING WITH SCENARIOS Winter preparations in Turkey are traditional practices that help preserve food from the summer for the harsh winter days.  These practices are a form of cultural transmission, typically passed down to younger generations by elderly family members. The busy days of preparation allow family members to bond while enjoying the process. It’s not just family members who participate; close friends and neighbors also gather in the last days of summer to gossip, share their latest adventures, and celebrate the small joys of life. In many households, these final days are spent preparing foods like tomato sauce, drying vegetables, and stringing peppers on balconies. This process symbolizes cooperation and unity in Turkish culture, and it is important to understand how these practices are both produced and consumed within Turkish households. Due to Turkey’s cultural and geographical diversity, the ingredients used in these preparations vary from region to region. The most common winter preparations include making homemade tomato paste and jam, drying eggplants, peppers, and other vegetables, and making pickles. PREPARATION PROCESS OF WINTER FOODS Set goals for which products to preserve (e.g., vegetables, fruits, pickles, jams). Harvest ripe vegetables and fruits or purchase them from local markets. Wash and sort produce thoroughly, removing any damaged parts. Choose a preservation method: Canning: Chop produce, then sterilize and store in jars. Pickling: Prepare a salty brine to preserve vegetables. Drying: Sun-dry vegetables to remove moisture for long-term storage. Jams and Preserves: Cook fruits with sugar to create jams or preserves.       5. Store preserved products in a cool, dark, and dry place.      6. Incorporate preserved items into meals throughout the winter for healthy and delicious nutrition. USER PERSONA The main intended users are elderly people/grandparents in the family. We especially want you to focus on elderly people living independently.   The main goal here is to design a product solution that elderly people can use on their own without needing any help.   You can do interviews with your grandparents and ask them what food preparation represents for them and how they would hypothetically enjoy the process. In the research part, you can focus on questions like: In what kind of space do they store the foods? How much space should the solution unit cover? Consider an average apartment/house. Which movements do your grandparents make? Are there any physical obstacles in the place they are storing/ making food? What kind of solutions can be made? PROJECT OBJECTIVES  The product you will be working on should reflect cultural significance, cooperation, and unity. Here are some steps you should be considering while designing your solution. Identify Key Winter Storage Needs Storage Conditions Consider how these foods need to be stored—cool, dry, dark places are ideal for many preserved items. The prepared foods do not need to…