Project background
I served as the UX Design Lead for a team that designed an adaptable kitchen for an organization called the Adaptable House Project. This organization was founded by a health & wellness instructor with Multiple Sclerosis to promote independence and quality of life for individuals with chronic disabilities.
Purpose
The goal was to design an elegant and functional kitchen that adapts to the needs of users with diverse abilities, promoting their well-being.
Research
Building on insights from the Adaptable House Project, we focused on the kitchen, exploring the unique challenges and design considerations required for creating functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces for individuals with physical disabilities.
Understand User Needs
Explore the challenges faced by individuals with physical disabilities in the kitchen.
Assess Current Products
Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of existing adaptable kitchen solutions.
Learn From Approaches
Review different methods used to create adaptable products.
Identify Design Considerations
Determine critical design elements for adaptable kitchen solutions.
Functionality is Key
Users prioritize practical functionality over aesthetics in adaptive kitchen designs.
Mobility Assistance is Crucial
Effective mobility support is essential for the usability of adaptive kitchen products.
Our research and design process combined thorough secondary research with co-design sessions, ensuring user-centered solutions that balance functionality and aesthetics.
Literature Review
Conducted an in-depth review of existing research on adaptable housing and kitchen design to understand current approaches and identify design considerations.
User Interviews
Collaborated with individuals with physical disabilities to understand their needs and pain points.
Affinity Mapping
Used FigJam to create an affinity map, organizing findings to highlight key interests and concerns, and define design requirements.
Participatory Design Sessions
Conducted collaborative brainstorming and co-design session using reverse assumptions to challenge existing ideas and ideate on new possibilities.
Concept Testing
Obtained feedback on the design concepts for the adaptable kitchen from relevant users.
Insights
Secondary research combined with user interviews helped us learn about the variability in individuals' mobilities and recognize the importance of adaptability in the solution. The key insights from research include:
Insight 1
The physical abilities for most of these individuals vary through the day.
Insight 2
The daily fluctuations in their abilities can be categorized into three key stages: Resting, Stability, and Mobility.
Insight 3
Users need support with comfort, stability, and enhanced mobility to navigate through the three stages in their abilities.
Insight 4
Design aesthetics are as important as functionality to these users who do not want a product that constantly reminds them of their limitations.
Co-design session: Interactive Figjam board
The key features identified through the co-design sessions and literature review were used to inform the design of the adaptable kitchen. The following design features were prioritized:
Reflection
Collaborative Learning
Working closely with users, especially through co-design sessions, allowed us to gather real-time feedback that shaped our design direction.
Resource Limitations
Without funding or a partner to build a prototype, we faced difficulties testing and validating ideas in a tangible way, which limited our ability to gauge their real-world impact.
Universal Design Principle
Designing with accessibility in mind benefits not only people with disabilities but everyone.
Broader User Involvement
Involve a more diverse group of people with different disabilities to gain deeper insights into their needs and preferences.
Prototype Development
Secure funding and partnerships to build a working prototype for actual testing and real-world validation.