We are surrounded by numerous products in our daily lives, and an inability to use, or having great difficulty using a product that we need daily can put us at a significant disadvantage. This could be because our interactions with the products are impaired by our physical and mental limitations, ill-considerate environments, socio-cultural stereotypes and/or bad design. The design of products to support a changing population is an important challenge not only because of social, ethical or economic reasons, but also we are designing for our future selves - a future that we want to be in.
Arthritis is a condition that causes joint pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. It can affect people of all ages. In this project, students focused on the dining/eating experience. Beyond the cutlery used at home, going to a restaurant or social event where food is involved can be a challenge. Going out for a meal for some with arthritis usually involves bringing your own cutlery.
The brief was to design cutlery that provided good dining experiences for someone with arthritis of the hand, or who might have arm/hand weakness. Beyond the functional, allowing the person to eat independently, students considered the eating experience and the persons identity. The cutlery designed took into consideration how shape, colour, material and texture influence the sensorial experience of the cutlery, how it impacted taste and the stigmatisation of the user.
