Overview
During the 2023-2024 academic year, I participated in a Design Thinking & Communications course centered on physical product and user experience design. Collaborating with a client, our goal was to improve the accessibility of hanging and organizing clothes for individuals with the use of only one arm, using user-centered design solutions to create a more intuitive and inclusive closet experience.
Role
Collaborators
Duration
Responsibilities
UX Researcher
Product Designer
Product Engineer
NU Design Professors
3 Other Engineering Peers
1 Quarter
(10 Weeks)
User Research, User Interview, User Testing, Manufacturing, Prototyping
DTC Design Process
As part of the DTC curriculum, we followed an iterative human-centered design process, allowing us to continuously refine and improve our ideas based on ongoing research and user feedback. This approach enabled us to revisit and adapt our solutions to better meet user needs at each stage of the project.
Learn about users through testing
Empathize
Empathize to help define the problem
Define
Ideate
Tests reveal insights that redefine the problem
Prototype
Learn from prototypes for new ideas
Test
Tests create new ideas for the project
Our Client
In DTC, the class is given a real-world project client in order to solve a problem that they are experiencing. For our class, we were assigned an accessibility design project.
*In order to respect our client’s privacy, their names will be kept ANONYMOUS
Current Conditions
• Experiences hemiplegia/hemiparesis
• Limited range of motion on the left side of the body
Current Solution
• Tried using various existing hangers
• Asking for external assistance
The Problem
How can we design a solution that empowers individuals with hemiplegia/hemiparesis to reclaim their independence, eliminating the frustrating reliance on others for the simple task of hanging clothes with just one hand?
Ideation
At the start of the quarter, my team and I dedicated several days to brainstorming. We each generated a variety of ideas on post-it notes and created multiple mock-ups, which were then tested with our client for feedback.
Prototype
Through multiple usability tests with our client, as well as proxy testing with ourselves and other students on campus, we refined our design and developed the following finalized prototype, which we presented to our client.
If you would like a copy of the final report, please email me at jeongjason5914@gmail.com
Conclusions
DTC was my first experience with product design, and initially, the idea of working with a real-world client felt quite daunting. However, with the guidance of exceptional professors who taught me essential human-centered design skills, I gained the confidence to contribute meaningfully. In the end, the success of the project wasn’t just personal—it was a shared achievement with my entire team.
Major Takeaways
• Design is Diverse: Before entering university, I had a simplistic view of design, believing it was solely about aesthetics and making things visually appealing. However, I soon discovered that design is far more profound. It’s about understanding and connecting with people, collaborating with others, staying persistent, being open to new ideas, and ultimately making a meaningful impact. This deeper understanding has only deepened my passion for design.
• Collaboration Feeds Creativity: I used to believe that working solo was the best way to complete projects. However, when I delved into this project, I realized that collaborating with a diverse team brings a whole new level of creativity and innovation. Now, I can’t imagine working without the synergy of a team for future projects.