Designing a Footrest for Work Chair: Design Thinking.
This article is about how I made a physical product using design thinking
Within the residential areas, I designed an adjustable footrest for work chairs that takes up no extra space but allows people to work for longer periods of time without discomfort, resulting in reduced pressure on the legs, improved posture, and increased productivity.
A design thinking project was assigned to a group of 12 members with the goal of identifying and solving problems within the areas of residential living spaces. This is a part of the growth school cohort under the mentoring of Anudeep Ayyagari.
During the first 48 hours, the group was tasked with debating and selecting the first 5 out of the 12 problem areas, which include
Topics
Balcony,
Parking,
Terrace,
Living Room,
Home Office,
Dining Area,
Kitchen,
Bedroom,
Bathroom,
Storage Areas (Including closets, attics, etc.),
Utility Area, Prayer Room, and
Courtyard/Garden/Open Room.
After the initial debate, the remaining problem areas were open for further debate, and each member had to use their unfair advantage to convince other group members and secure their votes.
Once the problem area was selected, each member was tasked with coordinating with their project to work on their individual topic areas while considering any five group members as their users.
The ultimate goal of the project is to find innovative solutions to the problems within the selected areas and improve the overall living experience for the users.
After the initial 48 hours of debates and discussions, I finally secured my desired problem area without any competition. As the remaining areas were opened for debate, I was overjoyed to see that my chosen topic, "Bedroom," was still available. I quickly grabbed the opportunity and secured my spot, relieved that I wouldn’t have to go through the round of intense debates.
As I eagerly awaited the start of my design thinking project, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement. I had heard so much about the design thinking process and was eager to put it into practice.
Design thinking is a human-centered approach to problem solving that involves
Empathize
Know the people you’re designing for, so you understand their needs better.
Define
Decide on who I want to design for and what I want to help them do.
Ideate
Coming up with different solutions that might be useful to people—and remembering, there are no bad ideas!
Prototype
Quickly create a prototype of the idea using the resources around me, based on the solutions I ideated.
Test
Take the prototypes to the users and get feedback, going back to the first stage and keep doing it.
It’s a process that starts with understanding the problem from the perspective of the user, then creating multiple potential solutions and testing and refining the best one. The goal is not just to find a solution but to gain a deeper understanding of the problem and the people it affects.
Empathize
The empathize stage in design thinking is all about understanding the user and their needs. It is about putting oneself in the user’s shoes and looking at the problem from their perspective. By conducting research and having Interview in a conversation way with users, designers can gain a deep understanding of their needs.
At the empathize stage, where it was crucial to understand the user’s problems without directly asking them. Instead, I focused on identifying their issues through natural conversations and observations. To gather more in-depth information, I prepared a set of questions that I could ask during the interview.
Here are my questions:
1. What is the activity you like doing in your bedroom?
2. What are all the difficulties you face while you are working on the bed?
3. While working at the table, how convenient are things or what problems do you face?
4. What are the problems you face while getting ready?
5. How easy is it for you to get your things out of drawers?
6. What is the thing that you like about your bedroom area?
I was able to schedule meetings with the users as they had free time, and during the Interview, I listened carefully to their thoughts and experiences. I was able to gain valuable insights into their needs, wants, and pain points. The user was open and forthcoming with their information, and I was grateful for their time and willingness to participate.
Define
It’s important to note that the “empathize” stage sets the foundation for the rest of the design thinking process. A deep understanding of the user’s problems is necessary to create a solution that addresses their needs effectively. That’s why this stage is crucial to ensuring the success of the design project.
With the help of the information gathered, I delved into the next stage of design thinking—defining. At this stage, I took a closer look at my notes and tried to understand the problems that the user was facing.
I identified several key pain points and created a list of the problems that the user was encountering.
Identifying a problem is a crucial first step in addressing it, but it is equally important to understand why the problem is significant for the users. Understanding the importance of a problem helps to prioritize resources and efforts, and ensures that the solution meet the needs of those who will be most affected.
Problems Faced by User:
- Limited Space: The user faces difficulties in getting ready due to the limited space available in the room. The bed takes up most of the space, leaving no room for the user to move around. This is a major concern because User has a limb problem and has been advised by the doctor not to run because they will be hit by the bed.
- Bed Gets Wet During Rain: During the rainy season, users bed is gets wet from the rain water that seeps in through the wall. This makes his bed uncomfortable to sleep. which is attached to the wall, making it a hassle.
- Lack of Privacy: User neighbors can see into his house through the abstract window glass. This lack of privacy is a major concern for user, also makes him feel insecure.
- Hard to Open Lock Handle: User has a hard time opening the lock handle on his door. The handle requires a lot of force to turn, making it difficult for user to enter his room. This not only causes frustration but also puts a strain on his hand.
- Neck Pain from Working on Bed: User has a neck problem while working on the bed because she uses her lap to place the laptop and she has to lean her neck down to look at the screen this leads to her neck constantly hurting, which affects her work and daily life. The lack of proper support for her laptop also makes it difficult for her to concentrate on her tasks.
- Lack of Armrest Example: User faces discomfort while working on the desk for long hours because she needs an armrest for her hand. The lack of an armrest makes it difficult for her to maintain proper posture, leading to fatigue and pain in her arms.
- Inadequate Desk Space for Legs: When User works on his desktop work table, User doesn’t have enough space for him to comfortably keep the legs as their desk was do not not have place to keep the legs. This leads to discomfort and pain in his legs, making it difficult for him to work for long hours.
Ideate
Once I understood the problems faced by the users, it was time to come up with ideas that could solve these issues.
Our mentor advised us to use a creative technique called “Crazy 8” where for every problem, I needed to come up with 8 ideas in 8 minutes.
So, I got to work and brainstormed solutions for each of the problems. At times, it was challenging to come up with 8 ideas within 8 minutes, but the pressure of time constraints helped me to think outside of the box.
The goal was to generate as many ideas as possible, no matter how absurd or unrealistic they seemed. After this, I had to rank all of the ideas and pick the top 3 that I felt had the most potential.
After I had a list of ideas for each problem, I went through the list and ranked them based on their feasibility and impact. In the end, I had a shortlist of the best ideas.
The following ideas were selected after the process of continuous ranking and elimination, resulting in the top three concepts.
Idea 1: Adjustable Footrest for a Chair
Description: A foot rest that can be adjusted and is fixed to the chair’s rod. This footrest is designed to relieve pressure on the legs and lower back, increasing circulation and decreasing fatigue for the user.
Importance: Having a well-designed footrest can result in a more comfortable and productive experience for the user, which can improve the overall function and appeal of the design. The footrest can help the user work for longer periods without discomfort, resulting in relieved pressure on the legs, improved posture, and increased productivity.
Idea 2: Foldable Table for a Laptop
Description: A foldable table for a laptop is a versatile and convenient workspace that can be used in a variety of locations, such as a couch, bed, or floor. The portability of this table makes it ideal for individuals who work on the go or for those who need a temporary workspace.
Importance: A foldable table for a laptop offers versatility and convenience for users, allowing them to work comfortably from any location. The compact design of this table saves space when not in use, making it a practical solution for small apartments or shared living spaces. This can be a practical solution for individuals who need a temporary workspace.
Idea 3: Flexible Arm Rest for a Chair
Description: A flexible armrest that can be placed at the chair’s armrest, providing support and comfort for the user’s arms and shoulders. This armrest is designed to reduce strain and fatigue, improve posture, and increase productivity.
Importance: A flexible armrest for a work desk is important because it helps to reduce strain and fatigue for the user. This can improve posture and increase productivity, as the user is able to work for longer periods without discomfort. The armrest provides support and comfort for the user’s arms and shoulders, helping to improve the overall experience while using the work desk.
I had selected Idea 1 for the Prototyping and Testing Stage.
Prototyping
I selected the idea of an adjustable foot rest for a chair.
I was excited to apply my skills and create something truly remarkable. With my pen and paper, I began to sketch out my ideas and bring them to life.
Paper Prototype
- As I finished my paper prototype, I eagerly showed it to one of my group member, hoping to gather his thoughts and feedback. However, he struggled to understand my design. My prototype fell short of clearly conveying my ideas.
Midjourney
2. Undeterred, I knew I needed to find a new approach. I decided to try out Midjourney, a platform that helps with design prompt ideas. While the platform provided me with a wealth of rough ideas, I wasn’t entirely convinced by any of them. I needed something more concrete, something that would truly capture the essence of my vision.
Figma
3. That’s when I decided to take the leap and try out Figma. I scoured the internet for design inspiration, using Google images to come up with ideas. I used some photos and When I couldn’t find the necessary elements on Google, I created them myself.
Test
I decided to conduct a test with the users in my group. I showed them the product and asked for their opinions. They were quite enthusiastic about it.
But they also pointed out some issues that they might face if they were to use it.
- One user suggested that the footrest might not be suitable for people with bigger legs, and recommended an adjustable design to accommodate different leg lengths.
- Another user pointed out that the footrest was made of sponge material, which could absorb water if spilled, leading to discomfort or even mold growth over time.
- One user suggested adding a swinging feature to the product, which would make it more playful and fun to use.
- However, there were also concerns about safety, with one user worrying that the footrest might be a tripping hazard and suggesting that the design be modified to prevent accidents.
Improved product prototype.
To create products that not only meet the needs of consumers but also improve their quality of life. With the feedback that the footrest wasn’t suitable for people with larger legs,
I knew that I needed to make some improvements.
With this information in mind, I began brainstorming ways to improve the footrest design. I considered several different options. But ultimately, I landed on a solution that I believe will make a significant difference for users with longer legs.
By creating an adjustable footrest that can be moved up or down to accommodate different leg lengths, I can ensure that all users can comfortably use the product.
Not only does it provide better support for users with larger legs, but it also offers a more customizable experience for all users.
Overall, I’m thrilled with the improvements I have made to my product. By listening to user feedback and working to address their concerns, I have created a more inclusive and comfortable product that I believe will make a real difference in people’s lives.
This offers a more customizable experience for all users as it has levels to it.
Learning from working on this project
At first, as I started the project, it was confusing for me, like how to use the information or notes. The workbook and all the calls with Anudeep Ayyagari really gave me a totally new perception.
Top learning
- Observing the behavior of the people will help understand the real problem of the users and asking behavior question can make users not to give imaginary or hypothetical answer.
- The importance of interview in a friend or conversational way will help not only understand the problems that I thought of getting or question I prepared but will also get the other actually problem that user are facing.
- Understanding of surface level problem if we do not come up with the
enough solution it may be the surface level problem. - Understanding and emphasizing with the users important but blindly making or working on solution by their problems will make us not understand about the problem by actually analyzing what would the problem was will give us clarity about whether or not to work on the problem.
- Last and important using our common sense (being you).
This is my first case study I am an Aspiring UX/UI designer I believe from this project I have learned so much not only as a designer but all so as a person.
Connect me on Linkedln Prathik Sindham
#studentforlife
