Jereme Dumm

the Kangaroo Childrens Workstation - As computers are becoming utilized more often and earlier by grade school age children, the requirements for a computer workstation are changing. How can a computer desk be designed to accommodate children from ages 5 to 12 and fit into today’s overcrowded classrooms? When looking at current offerings in this product space, it became very apparent that the market favored the needs of individuals and home-users over the needs of institutions. Currently, computer desks utilized in schools are scaled down versions of adult archetypes and poorly fit the needs of children. Also, immobile computer labs are a destination that take up precious classroom space. The Kangaroo computer desk is designed to adjust easily and quickly to accommodate grade school aged children of all sizes. By folding up and nesting together, the Kangaroo not only saves space when being stored but also can be used to transport multiple Kangaroo units by using one desk to move many.

Poster Chair - How do you design for a user group that not only has widely varying tastes, but whose tastes change all the time? Extensive research was done to better understand the lifestyles of teenagers. Theme boards and style boards helped to visually frame what teenagers are surrounding themselves with. This research helped to see past the disparities of the user group and create relevant insights into what teenagers find “cool”. Posters were found to be an inexpensive and easy way for teenagers to display what they find cool. The Poster Chair is a fresh alternative to traditional posters that adds a new level of usefulness by transforming into a chair. When friends come over, it can be taken off the wall and set-up to provide extra seating. When not being used, the Poster Chair can be hung back up to gain more space.

Observing and Analyzing Chicago Park District Facilities - What is the new user experience at some of the Chicago Park District’s less utilized facilities? By conducting user observation at three of the CPD’s facilities, the difficulties and confusion faced by new users were mapped out. Photo documentation, photo sorting, user walkthroughs, and user/staff interviews were used to collect data on the new user fitness experience at the CPD facilities. The data collected was analyzed and put into the Doblin experience framework which helped to define what problems new users face when using the fitness facilities for the first time. Solutions were suggested to CPD executives to address some of the deficiencies in the new user experience.

t-chair / Designboom.com - Teenage Furniture Competition - Honorable Mention / Teenage Furniture Competition Designboom.com and Cow by NGR How do you design for a user group that not only has widely varying tastes, but whose tastes change all the time? Extensive research was done to better understand the lifestyles of teenagers. Theme boards and style boards helped to visually frame what teenagers surround themselves with. This research helped to see past the disparities of the user group and create relevant insights into what teenagers find “cool”. One recurring theme identified while studying teenagers was that they express themselves through what they wear. In particular, the t-shirt has become one of the most popular ways for teenagers to communicate who they are and what they like. The t-chair leverages how teenagers already represent themselves by allowing them to display their favorite t-shirts on a removable back cushion. The t-chair can be changed as often as the interests of teenagers change and gives them the ability to personalize their style.

Form Analysis and Prototype of a Handsaw - Almost all product forms can be broken down into basic geometric shapes. By simplifying a product’s form you can more easily manipulate and modify how a product is designed and configured. After researching existing circular saw archetypes, the basic saw form was broken down into basic geometric shapes and reconfigured into multiple foam prototypes. These prototypes were used for visual analysis and user testing. The foam models were given to users and they were asked to show how they would use the saws. Information and insights gained from these simple user walkthroughs helped determine what elements of the form were most necessary and how they could be more effectively leveraged. The end result was a reduction in the total form factor by incorporating a hand-grip into the motor casing.