EaZi - Tray
EaZi - Tray is a project which I undertook for my final Year thesis. I decided to make an indoor
mobility aid that would help a wide variety of people - The elderly, infirm, disabled, injuried or
any one who feel's like they could do with a helping hand around the house. Through research
I realised that there was a total lack of aesthetical consideration when it came to any form of
mobility products. I decided it was crucial to make a product that was not only going to give
people such as the elderly more independence & confidence but that it had to look great - some
think you would want to see in your house and be proud of it.
The result was a multi-tasking trolley that while it act's as a support aid for user's to carry out
all sorts of task around the home such as transporting heavy/hot iteams from room to room, height adjusting so that it can be used as a tray to eat from wherever the user chooses - it also looks good.
This IS what the user's WANTED. Taste doesn't diminish with age or abilities so
inclusive design played a huge part in this project.
EaZi - Tray is a project which I undertook for my final Year thesis. I decided to make an indoor
mobility aid that would help a wide variety of people - The elderly, infirm, disabled, injuried or
any one who feel's like they could do with a helping hand around the house. Through research
I realised that there was a total lack of aesthetical consideration when it came to any form of
mobility products. I decided it was crucial to make a product that was not only going to give
people such as the elderly more independence & confidence but that it had to look great - some
think you would want to see in your house and be proud of it.
The result was a multi-tasking trolley that while it act's as a support aid for user's to carry out
all sorts of task around the home such as transporting heavy/hot iteams from room to room, height adjusting so that it can be used as a tray to eat from wherever the user chooses - it also looks good.
This IS what the user's WANTED. Taste doesn't diminish with age or abilities so
inclusive design played a huge part in this project.
This activity chart illistrates the main functions of EaZi-Tray. It's there to help people get around their home's with safety.
It has practical functions such as it can be used as a trolley to transport items that might be quite heavy and hard to
normally carry, it acts as a support device, height adjusts to allow the user eat from a variety of positions and then the physical
safety of the product which acts almost like a crutch, giving the user unlimited support & independence.
It has practical functions such as it can be used as a trolley to transport items that might be quite heavy and hard to
normally carry, it acts as a support device, height adjusts to allow the user eat from a variety of positions and then the physical
safety of the product which acts almost like a crutch, giving the user unlimited support & independence.
Above is my final working, Prototype of EaZi-Tray which I create. I made the main body out of wood, The parallel linkage
is made from two metal rods, the inbuilt ratchets are made from plastic and the coloured storage pots were made on a
vacuum forming machine & then spray painted. The final body was given a few layers of spray paint & a gloss finish.
is made from two metal rods, the inbuilt ratchets are made from plastic and the coloured storage pots were made on a
vacuum forming machine & then spray painted. The final body was given a few layers of spray paint & a gloss finish.
After the initial research & sketching stages, it was essential to start making sketch models as ergonomics was
going to play a huge part in this project. My design had to be built around giving the user maximum comfort, lot's
of leg room & a feeling of safety. The result of making these models was invaluable as it allowed me to correct some
of the flaws apparent in my initial sketch models.
going to play a huge part in this project. My design had to be built around giving the user maximum comfort, lot's
of leg room & a feeling of safety. The result of making these models was invaluable as it allowed me to correct some
of the flaws apparent in my initial sketch models.
The mechanism of the project was very important as it had to be one which provided maximum safety, smooth movement and
was extremely user-friendly. A series of prototypes were built during the initial stages of the design process - in order to prove
that the mechanism would work.
was extremely user-friendly. A series of prototypes were built during the initial stages of the design process - in order to prove
that the mechanism would work.
Above is the poster which I used for our college end of year exhibition.
Above illustrates the first steps I took for primary research. I followed a sample of the target market and documented their activities. ' A day in their life' gave me an idea of daily problems they might encounter.
This photographing proved invaluable as I way able to make a collage of the images and source previously
un-noted problems.
This photographing proved invaluable as I way able to make a collage of the images and source previously
un-noted problems.
This picture shows an example of the various visual questionnaires which I handed out. These results had a huge impact of the design precess to follow as it concluded that many people had the same problem with these sort of mobility/tray products - they lack any sort of aesthetical consideration.
Original sketching & ideas as a result of brainstorming sessions.
Concept Development
At this stage I began to finalize the form and main functions of the mobility aid
Huge amounts of testing and experimenting had to be done in order to find the appropriate mechanism which would give the user optimum security and easy movement.
Finalizing all elements of the design
