The core challenge was designing for two very different users. For the children (ages 2-5), the device needed to be engaging, safe, and developmentally appropriate. For the staff, it had to solve critical logistical problems, who required a device that a single person could set up, take down, and carry up a flight of stairs for weekly storage.
Based on staff interviews and observation, I helped define the key engineering constraints:
Maximum weight of 20 lbs
Assembly time under 3 minutes
Tool-free, single-person setup and takedown
Material restriction, no wood, metal, or other similar hardnesses
I translated our user research directly into the mechanical design, ensuring every decision addressed a specific user need.
1. Designing for Safety & Usability
My primary contribution was conceptualizing and sketching the core structure. I championed the use of lightweight PVC piping to meet the weight limit and the client's "no wood" rule. I focused on designing for safety by creating a wide, stable base to prevent tipping and specifying soft materials for all impact points.
2. Designing for Assembly & Storage
To meet the staff's logistical needs, I focused heavily on Design for Assembly (DFA). I designed the central folding hinge and telescoping legs to be intuitive and require no tools. This ensured a single staff member could easily collapse the structure, carry it up a flight of stairs, and store it compactly.
Final Video.mp4The result was a "design freeze" for a comprehensive, user-centered solution ready for fabrication and a video production for the users to understand our design philosophy and its use cases. The final design is a direct reflection of the needs of its two distinct user groups: it provides an engaging, age-appropriate activity for the children while being exceptionally practical and safe for the staff to manage.
This project was a powerful lesson in balancing competing design constraints. I learned how to translate direct user feedback into concrete engineering specifications and the critical importance of designing for the entire product lifecycle, from play-time to clean-up and storage.
Tools & Skills: Human-Centered Design, User Scenarios, Needs Finding, Rapid Prototyping, Design for Assembly (DFA), Material Selection, Mechanical Design, Client Communication.