When we visit a railway station, we find people from various backgrounds, abilities and lifestyles. A product designed for this space would need to be inclusive of all those using the space and easy to understand. It should be sensitive to the surroundings and user friendly but unfortunately most products are not doing so.
At a railway station most often we do not use the drinking water taps available, due to issues of hygiene, cleanliness, accessibility, crowd or lack of aesthetic appeal. As a concept, a drinking water fountain in a public space like this would need to be accessible to all, ensure hygiene, be quick to use and understand and prevent water wastage. Apart from this, the fountain must also be easy to install and the water affordable/ free for all.
Semantic Categorisation for Product
Emperical Semantics
Inclusive design, easy to use and understand, hygiene indicator
Functional Semantics
Multiple tap opening options, space for wheelchair, varied height options
Function Categorisation for Product
Practical Function
Different height option for different users, foot pedal option, easy to clean and maintain
Signal Function
Hygiene indicator, grooves on foot pedal, curvature afford space to drink directly, foot pedal for one hand drinking
Design Brief
Water is a basic necessity, but even though available free in places like railway station, is not used or can not be used to drink for various reasons. Water fountains are seen at various spots in a railway station. Most people do not use the same due to unhygienic conditions, poor quality of water and difficulty to use.
Having varied heights, the proposed concept of an alternate drinking water fountain in railway stations ensures that more people can use the same especially children and those on wheelchairs. A foot pedal makes it easier to drink water directly with one hand while the nozzle of the tap (like in the current design) can be pulled to release water as an alternate option. Both options work based on user force and movement and immediately stop the water flow when released, hence preventing water wastage. The sink ensure that water quickly flows in and the shortened width prevents people from using the good drinking water for other purposes.
Physical Mock up
Digital Mock Up
Value Proposition Canvas
