Petal
Design for the extreme, to design for all.
A one-handed nail trimmer designed for unilateral upper limb amputees.
Duration
Feb 2018 - April 2018
Role
Human Centered Design Researcher, Interviewer, Product Developer
Deliverables
Client
Human Centered Design Product
University of Houston Industrial Design Program, Studio IV
Press
Overview
Brief
Improve nail hygiene through redesigning nail clippers for unilateral upper limb amputees.
Approach
I began with research and a literature review of nail hygiene. I found the importance of nail hygiene for preventing ingrown nails and the spread of disease, bacteria and infections. I then posed the question: how does someone who only has one hand manage their nail hygiene?
Outcome
Petal was created – a tool that enhances safety, stability and allows unilateral amputees to independently maintain their finger nail hygiene entirely with one hand.
Starting Point
During the literature review, I found that 77% of trauma amputee's loose skills they were able to preform independently before the trauma. (Source 1, Source 2).
I also posed the question:
Where and how do upper limb amputees cut their nails?
The answers being a monthly visit to the doctor, a nail salon, or by themselves. All which have their pros and cons.
This research helped derive my problem statement.
Upper limb amputees who have lost a limb due to trauma are unable to easily and independently maintain their nail hygiene.
Problem with the current market
After market research, it was obvious that a new design was needed.
Although many of the products claimed to be one handed, only one of them could be used with one functional hand.
“Is like using toenail clippers on your fingernails, not fingernail clippers, so not impressed at all, but idea is a good one.”
“Too small blades.
Not good on adult size nails.
Could not operate with one hand.”
“I have a stroke and I Have ONE HAND. Though no way I can use. I cannot use my right arm”
I observed over ten upper limb amputees’ trim their nails in numerous ways, and discovered three different personas and scenarios that would significantly affect my design direction. These personas included The Effortless, The Inventors, and The Honest.
Ellen was in a car accident which caused her to lose her hand and arm up to her elbow.
She used to get her nails done at the salon but now is too embarrassed.
She currently uses other parts of her body to cut her nails.
Brad was working and got his arm caught in a machine which caused him to lose his hand and arm up to his shoulder.
He doesn’t want anyone to help him maintain his nail hygiene because he wants to be an independent as possible.
He currently finds/makes/creates new ways to cut his nails.
Ryan tells his friends he was attacked by a shark but he actually lost his dominant hand while lighting a “sparkle bomb” firework that exploded in his hand.
He is grateful that he didn’t lose more in this accident and learning to live with one less hand.
Currently, the easiest way for him to maintain his nail hygiene is for him to bite his nails.
Thanks to Ellen, Brad, and Ryan, I knew I had to design a product that decreased their frustration, increased their confidence, and decreased the effort towards maintaining nail hygiene.
Meet the users
Ellen was in a car accident which caused her to lose her hand and arm up to her elbow. She used to get her nails done at the salon but now is too embarrassed. She currently uses other parts of her body to cut her nails.
Brad was working and got his arm caught in a machine which caused him to lose his hand and arm up to his shoulder. He doesn’t want anyone to help him maintain his nail hygiene because he wants to be an independent as possible. He currently finds/makes/creates new ways to cut his nails.
Ryan tells his friends he was attacked by a shark but he actually lost his dominant hand while lighting a “sparkle bomb” firework that exploded in his hand. He is grateful that he didn’t lose more in this accident and learning to live with one less hand. Currently, the easiest way for him to maintain his nail hygiene is for him to bite his nails.
User Value Proposition
A tool that enhances safety, stability and allows unilateral amputees to independently maintain their finger nail hygiene entirely with one hand, on a daily basis.
Sketches
Prototypes
Drawings & Exploded View
Design Description
Petal’s design enables unilateral upper limb amputees to independently maintain their finger nail hygiene daily. This product is targeted to those who have lost their extremity due to trauma because their accident not only took away a physical part of them but also their ability to act self-sufficiently in certain situations in their life.
Petal efficiently facilitates the user’s experience and their ability to maintain their nail hygiene in three main ways. The first essential design feature is Petal’s stability. Using new stick gel pad material technology, Petal can be used on any surface anywhere. Once the gel pad has collected dust, the curved base at the back of Petal can be used to lift the product and remove the gel pad easily. Then all it takes is a quick rinse under the sink and the gel pad functions like brand new. This stability ensures that Petal does not wobble or budge when clipping nails, which improves safety for the user. The second essential design feature is the leverage that Petal provides the user. Using a wide, silicone textured, flower petal-shaped handle, the user can effortlessly press down to trim their nail. The third essential design feature is affordance through design language. The colors and the lines that rest on Petals’ handle direct the user’s finger in between two silicone pillowed bumps, providing perfect placement for nail trimming.
Through these design features, I created a product that empowers not only unilateral upper limb amputees but also anyone who has a hand. By designing for the extreme user, I can include a diverse population of users in my target market, with goals for improving human performance, health, wellness and social involvement. The universal design principals that I implemented into my design include low physical effort, simple and intuitive use and equitable use. Petal’s goal is to empower the user and to allow them to confidently and independently maintain their nail hygiene with the use of only one hand.
