Download in Adobe PDF format - Helen Hamlyn Centre - Royal ...

design for
our future
selves
>competition
2001
the helen
hamlyn
research
centre

design-f
or=our,fu
tur,
,design
,,our,
future
,selves
contents
>age projects 2
>work projects 18
>mobility projects 30
>care projects 48
>locations 60
>judges 62

challenge
This publication introduces the shortlisted
projects in the Design for our Future Selves
competition 2001, organised by the Helen
Hamlyn Research Centre at the Royal College
of Art.
The competition challenges graduating RCA
MA students to embrace socially inclusive
design and involve users in their projects.
It offers £5,000 in prize money and every
short-listed entrant also receives £75 towards
development costs from the Centre.
Students were given four briefs to choose
from - two addressing the socially invisible
groups of older people and young disabled
people, and two investigating the challenges
of work-life balance and urban mobility.
The concepts and prototypes they have
generated demonstrate how inclusive design
can improve quality of life for all at a time of
rapid social change.

age
the brief: Innovation in the design of
a product, image, system, service or
environment which takes into account
the lifestyles, needs and aspirations of
older people

Robin Blanchard/Architecture & Interiors 4
>relationshipping
Mike Bond & Martin Coyne/Communication Art & Design 5
>shifting the focus
David Day/Industrial Design Engineering 6
> storable cooking hobs
Richard Hartshorn/Industrial Design Engineering 7
>spin-juice extractor
Anna Hiltunen/Design Products 8
> chatter
George Liarikos/Industrial Design Engineering 9
>obedient shopping trolley
Benjamin Peace/Industrial Design Engineering 10
>breeze
Philip Phelan/Computer Related Design 11
>textbox
Victoria Robinson/Architecture & Interiors 12
> station campus
Renn Scott/Computer Related Design 13
>+/- pulse
Jo Taylor/Communication Art & Design 14
>happy birthday
Sebastien Tran Dinh/Industrial Design Engineering 15
>door indicator
Christopher Wattam/Industrial Design Engineering 16
>freelock emergency access doorlock
3

Robin Blanchard/Architecture & Interiors
> relationshipping
The paradox that senior citizens face is that as physical
capabilities diminish, new networks that are aimed at bringing
people together remain largely inaccessible. Geriatric
ghettoising is often seen as a solution. This architectural
study proposes the introduction of concentrated local space
acting as the interface between pensioner and city, allowing
older people the choice to remain as participating members
of their communities for longer. Segregation is parallel to
imprisonment whereas demographic diversity creates a
group of dependables rather than dependants. The resulting
shared community provides a sense of belonging, self-worth,
and enjoyment for both older and younger members.
4

Mike Bond & Martin Coyne/
Communication Art & Design
> shifting the focus
When people enter a museum they will be stepping out of
one environment into another. If their frame of mind is not
entirely synchronised with this change, it could lead to a
misinterpretation of what they are seeing. Does coming in
off the high street mean that people continue to ‘window
shop’ Shifting the Focus is a printed communication aimed
at museum curator and visitor alike. Its objective: to show
that regardless of age, the preparation of a visitor’s mindset
can help to ensure that they fully benefit from their museum
experience. Using an archaeological case-study, it portrays
the relationship between artefacts rather than isolated,
excavated objects.
5

David Day/Industrial Design Engineering
> storable cooking hobs
Two storable cooking hobs that can be hung on a utensil
rail, with the option of being used either independently or
together. When the hobs are to be used they can be lifted
from the rail and placed onto any flat surface. The hobs are
mains powered using a cordless kettle-style power base that
can also be stored in a similar fashion. Being light in weight,
of robust build quality and easy to clean, the design provides
a practical space saving and lyrical alternative to the traditional
hob. The hobs are aimed at a wide user range, but have been
developed with the specific needs of older people in mind.
6

Richard Hartshorn/Industrial Design Engineering
> spin-juice extractor
At present, juice extractors are arduous to assemble and
fiddly to clean. For a person with limited dexterity or arthritis,
the whole process can become extremely painful, outweighing
the many health benefits of the fresh, vitamin-rich drinks
a juice extractor provides. Spin is an exploration into the
design of a juice extractor that is easy to clean and use.
A removable filter bag takes away the spent pulp and the
remaining juice residue can then be rinsed away with water
that is spun round by the rotation of the juicer. The solution
is better for anyone who has ever shied away from juicers
due to the ‘mess’ factor.
7

Anna Hiltunen/Design Products
> chatter
A table that reacts to sound with a visual display of lights
on its surface. By networking the table to the various
appliances in the house, different areas of the table light
up each time the phone rings, doorbell rings, or any alarm
such as the microwave timer goes off. As well as its use
as ordinary furniture, the table provides visual reassurance
of an aural landscape assisting the hearing faculties of
older users. The responsive and playful nature of the
table increases enjoyment of the domestic environment
and maintains independence - no more straining to hear
the doorbell or the phone.
8

George Liarikos/Industrial Design Engineering
> obedient shopping trolley
A shopping trolley that promises to be easy to steer and
reduce time spent in the checkout queue. The new and
potentially patentable steering system offers better control
and easier steering particularly when heavily loaded, relieving
the user of the dangers of backstrain or limb twisting
whilst battling though the twists and turns of the car park.
The burden of having to unload and reload the merchandise
at checkout is removed through use of standard technology.
Although of obvious benefit to a wide range of people, the
manoeuvrability and convenience of the design has specific
application to older people.
9

Benjamin Peace/Industrial Design Engineering
> breeze
A real alternative to the dated tumble dryer, the second
biggest consumer of electricity in the home. The Breeze
design folds up into a compact package with laundry still
attached, and can then be moved around the home and
garden at will, allowing for different fabric needs and
sudden changes in the weather. The product eliminates
awkward rungs, and allows for full-length drying of longer
items, including sheets. It includes an innovative built-in
attachment system and a rain detector. Its versatility and
simplicity means it can satisfy the needs of most users,
especially those of older people, with its light weight and
ease of operation.
10

Philip Phelan/Computer Related Design
> textbox
A service that aims to bridge gaps between old and young
through increasing technological inclusivity. Older people
have been left out of the texting craze that has swept the
younger generation. This project proposes a simple device
that ports the functionality of the mobile phone into the
television. The device is particularly geared towards texting,
an area that is of particular relevance to the young and in
which older generations should be able to participate. Calls
are routed to the house phone and text messages are routed
to a channel on the TV. Different channels can be allocated
to different friends, and texts can be stored on channels.
11

Victoria Robinson/Architecture & Interiors
> station campus
12
Large communities of older people live ghettoised lives in
a media-driven city that caters for a population that never
seems to exceed the age of 54. This project aims to achieve
social inclusiveness for third age users in the public sphere
by overlapping the activities of the University of the Third
Age (U3A) with the functionality and physical space of
Liverpool Street Station. The concourse of the station
becomes the campus ground for learning, education and
sociability; a performance space for members‚ lessons and
activities. Interrelationships form between the commuters and
U3A members, enriching the lives of both and encouraging
dialogue and meetings between the two groups.

Renn Scott/Computer Related Design
> +/- pulse
+/- pulse bracelets are wearable health monitors based on
pulse diagnosis, a part of traditional Chinese medicine which
says that the state of health of a body can be determined
by feeling the pulse. Most older people are concerned but
not obsessed with their health. The bracelet allows them
to monitor themselves as little or as much as they desire
whilst wearing the device. Current aesthetics of wearable
health monitors focus on technology. The Pulse Diagnosis
bracelet explores the creation of wearable alternatives that
are based purely on personal choice and mood. The device
is discreet and can be perceived as an item someone would
commonly wear.
13

Jo Taylor/Communication Art & Design
>happy birthday
When does someone begin to feel old Is there an age
beyond which we are old or is this feeling governed by
other criteria Is it an individual response or a group
reaction This study into the perception of ageing looks
at the idea of age and at the times at which age is felt.
Through text and image, the work examines the fact that
ageing is a natural process we are all exposed to, and that
every one of us feels old sometimes. The project aims to
bridge generation gaps, so older people are not seen as
a separate group, and younger people are prompted to
think about ageing and ageism.
14

Sebastien Tran Dinh/Industrial Design Engineering
> door indicator
A simple device integrated into the door handle, which
indicates whether a room is occupied or not. From the inside
of the room, pushing the button activates a colour signal that
is also visible outside and stops the rotation of the handle.
From the outside, the colour is red when occupied, but the
lock can be opened by pushing a button to de-activate the
locking system. The door is therefore never completely locked
but relies on visual coding to indicate use. Special application
is in the domestic area where older people and children can
be reached in the case of an emergency.
15

Christopher Wattam/Industrial Design Engineering
> freelock emergency access
doorlock
80 per cent of fatal accidents in the home involve people
over 65 and nearly half of these are falls. Freelock acts
as a normal bolt ensuring privacy, but in the case of an
emergency, such as a fall in the bathroom, access is quickly
gained by a carer or relative, by means of a resettable snap
fitting mechanism. The force required has been calculated
to prevent accidental opening whilst allowing the door to
be forced without any damage to the door or the frame.
The everyday operation of the bolt takes the needs of older
users into account whilst appealing through its shape and
action to a wide audience.
16

work
the brief: innovation in the design of a product,
image, system, service or environment which
encourages a healthier work-life balance by
supporting new ways of working
18

Samson Adjei/Architecture & Interiors 20
>the embassy - embassy
Noel Batt/Ceramics & Glass 21
>switch table
Greg Epps/Architecture & Interiors 22
> urban ranger
Afroditi Krassa/Design Products 23
> the spare match
Richard Macara/Architecture & Interiors 24
> pervasive lounging
Priya Prakash/Computer Related Design 25
>showeraoke
Benson Saw/Design Products 26
>1+1=3
Flávia Silva/Design Products 27
>coringa chair
Mary Wagstaff/Ceramics & Glass 28
> in or out
Nicholas Williamson/Industrial Design Engineering 29
>bed-desk desk
19

Samson Adjei/Architecture & Interiors
> the embassy - embassy
This project converts a building above London’s Chancery
Lane - an area with little housing and a large number of
commuters - into a relaxing thirdspace between work and
home. Through reinterpreting the roofscape as a new
landscape on which to provide alternative facilities for local
workers, public interaction is reinvigorated with the aid of
active debating halls known as ‘rooforums’. Special napping
dorms are also provided to serve those who require a
rest before embarking on the journey home. The scheme
incorporates site walks around Chancery Lane, reflecting the
idea of allowing the locality to work beyond its 9am-to-5pm
weekday lifecycle.
20

Noel Batt/Ceramics & Glass
> switch table
Furniture that transforms from a desk to a dining table
at the flick of a switch. The primary use of the table is for
homeworkers who have the restriction of living and working
in the same space. The table has two levels, the top one
made of glass and the bottom one made of wood. The
glass has a sandwich of liquid crystal sheet that is naturally
translucent but will become transparent when an electric
current passes through. After working during the day, all
the work can be put on the lower wooden shelf and hidden
away by the glass top in its translucent state until the
following day.
21

Greg Epps/Architecture & Interiors
> urban ranger
22
An architectural scheme in which Hackney Town Hall is
reinvented as a new Town Square. This is populated by
Hackney Council employees who host a series of events
for external participants within personalised spaces. This
exchange introduces new skills to Hackney Council while
opening its resources to the public. The new Town Square
is a continuous landscape punctuated with the main public
volumes accommodating meetings and events. These
volumes form courtyards surrounded by an informal
mix of council offices, new public and private initiatives
and enterprises, as well as part-time voluntary sector
accommodation. Opportunity is created for crossfertilisation
between these traditionally separate sectors.

Afroditi Krassa/Design Products
> the spare match
This project proposes a campaign for homeless people that
gives them an income while raising political awareness about
homelessness. Its symbol is a matchbox, inspired by the fairy
tale of ‘The Little Match Girl’. Spare matchboxes will be
sold by homeless people. Every matchbox is pre-stamped
and pre-addressed to the Prime Minister. The purchaser
signs the matchtray, which contains a message about social
inclusion and the needs of the homeless to the Prime Minister,
and posts it straight to 10 Downing Street. The project
is endorsed by Shelter. The first 5,000 matchboxes will be on
sale during the RCA Show 2001.
23

Richard Macara/Architecture & Interiors
>pervasive lounging
24
By 2010, 50 per cent of population will be single, as most
working people have little or no time to meet other people
and form relationships despite the surge in communication
technology. This project softens up public spaces by creating
virtual dating agencies centred around physical locations
in the city. The service is accessed by plugging your 3G
mobile device into the furniture, it could be in a train station
or public square. Your personal profile is entered into the
system, and remains there for the working day. During that
time it is matched with suitable people who share the same
public space, and is communicated back to you, giving the
chance for further communication and contact.

Priya Prakash/Computer Related Design
>showeraoke
At a time when people are working longer and harder,
Showeraoke aims to make each morning or evening shower
a relaxing, entertaining and even invigorating experience.
Using the showerhead as a mike and the shower curtain
as a display, you sing along, karaoke style, with previously
downloaded MP3 song files from the Showeraoke website.
Endlessly customisable, you can give your rubber duck a
range of voices, record your performance or listen to your
favourite radio station in the shower. The result makes an
everyday task like showering into a fun activity that allows
you to de-stress from work.
25

Benson Saw/Design Products
>1+1=3
Aimed at people who work at home or in small offices, this
shelving system demonstrates how two shelves can create
three separate spaces. The shelves ‘intersect’ to create the
third space between them. Each shelf is made of aluminium
sheet, punched and formed to create the frame of the shelf.
An injected-moulded tinted acrylic is inserted in the middle
of the frame to support the construction. This system has
the potential for users to further organise their things
through numerous and customisable spaces. It is as flexible
as a books and files organiser as well as a free-standing
‘wall’. The project is based on observation in Habitat’s office.
26

Flávia Silva/Design Products
> coringa chair
Coringa is a two-height chair for working, reading and
relaxing that is multifunctional and playful. It aims to save
space in the domestic environment by combining in a single
form the functions of an easy chair with a desk chair.
Due to the shape of the arms, there is no need for any
mechanism to transform this piece of furniture. The user
turns the upright chair into an easy chair by simply rocking
the piece on its arms. Aimed at people living and working in
small spaces, including those in student accommodation.
27

Mary Wagstaff/Ceramics & Glass
> in or out
A complete range of household products and clothes,
designed to be made by prisoners in prison factories. The
merchandise has a dual purpose: to be used internally within
the Prison Service and to be branded, packaged and sold to
the public creating revenue that can be reinvested in prisons.
An active concern is the increased self-worth and confidence
of the prison inmates through working on the production
of a high profile, high quality brand of products. This will
have a direct and beneficial effect on their present working
lives and future work prospects when released. The range
includes tableware, tables, chairs and clothes, all with strong
branding that is honest about the origins of the products.
28

Nicholas Williamson/Industrial Design Engineering
>bed-desk
Based on research into changing working and living patterns,
this project aims to combine the functionality of a bed and
a desk. The bed and desk both pivot from a single point.
They are linked so when the bed is lifted, so too is the
desk. The desk remains horizontal as it is raised, allowing
items to be left on the desk top. Potential users include
people with limited space in bedsits or student accommodation,
people who have a spare room that they want
to be both an office and a guest bedroom, and homeworkers
who want a division between work and leisure time.
29

mobility
the brief: innovation in the design of
a product, image, system, service or
environment which encourages a healthier
work-life balance by supporting new
ways of working
30

James Auger/Design Products 32
>social tele-presence
Christian Brandt/Vehicle Design 33
> chameleon concept
Harry Dobbs/Architecture & Interiors 34
> underground library
Pierre-Olivier Garcia/Vehicle Design 35
>cubic: the moving architecture
Thomas Hulbert/Design Products 36
> connected city
Camilla Ingman/Ceramics & Glass 37
>travel aid pack
Nicholas Jinkinson & Nicholas Paterson/
Design Products 38
>wearable hanger
Romain Lawson/Vehicle Design 39
>ciconia
Marie Lenclos/Communication Art & Design 40
> and those less able to stand
Lola Llorca/Design Products 41
>clothery bottle for the city
Cristian Norlin/Computer Related Design 42
>travelwatch
Jochen Paesen/Vehicle Design 43
>SW7>>
Christiane Posch/Design Products 44
>gestural interfaces
Michael Saunders/Design Products 45
>a car for the city
Indri Tulusan/Design Products 46
>olu
31

James Auger/Design Products
> social tele-presence
Current use of tele-presence is restricted to large-budget
scientific or military operations, usually through a remotely
operated camera and microphone set-up. This project is a
social exploration that aims to bring tele-presence into the
social context of the urban environment. Cameras can be
fixed to vehicles, people or guide dogs allowing experience
of another lifestyle, culture or situation from the home. At
a time when movement through the city is as restricted as
ever, social tele-presence allows monitoring and presence in
a situation without ever having to make the journey there.
32

Christian Brandt/Vehicle Design
> chameleon concept
The Chameleon concept is a small, inexpensive, individual
city car that can change appearance through interchangeable
coloured and translucent body panels. The car targets
a range of user groups from first time buyers and young
families to pensioners and city dwellers, allowing each to
customise the car to their individual tastes. The versatility
of the vehicle ensures that the requirements of these
different groups are catered for. The car is designed to the
latest stringent legislation governing Japanese city cars
and its design is inspired by striking contrasts and strong
culture in modern Japanese cities.
33

Harry Dobbs/Architecture & Interiors
> underground library
34
An architectural study that builds on the contrast between
the transient and dislocated world of the London Underground
and the solid psychological world built from our
own imaginations and fuelled by the media we read as we
sit on the Tube. The Underground Library draws the two
together in the physical space of the station.Commuters
share reviews of the same book, meeting and exchanging
literary views and thoughts in a virtual world as they move
through the system. Engaging with one another under
the protection of ‘virtual distance’, there is the potential
for different levels of intimacy to arise within this urban
public space.

Pierre-Olivier Garcia/Vehicle Design
> cubic: the moving architecture
This project proposes a rental transport service available
from travel and business centres in the world’s major
cities, where an artistic and historic context is important.
The vehicle can be used as anything from mobile office
to an interactive tourist taxi and a wheelchair-accessible
runabout. Designed to give the user a perception of
space and relaxation, it drives with a rudder, allowing
one-handed parking manoeuvres, whilst containing current
GPS, internet and voice-activated technologies. Exploration
of various urban scenarios results in the possibility to
connect the vehicle with other Cubic pods to move in a
convoy or to plug-in to buildings to create ‘lifts-parking’.
35

Thomas Hulbert/Design Products
> connected city
This project seeks to digitally enhance transitory spaces
scattered throughout the city to provide greater access
and participation. People can ‘connect’ wirelessly in public
places, using their mobile phones and current technology,
creating virtual communities. Applications range from the
recreational, such as multi-player computer games between
networked bus shelters, to the informative - interactive maps
or transport guides to aid mobility and wayfinding within
the city. Scenarios even merge the two - buses can become
sprites in the game being played. Inspiration comes from
observing the number of people with mobile phones and
the insular attitude of the average commuter.
36

Camilla Ingman/Ceramics & Glass
> travel aid pack
A travel and information pack that aims to combat the
headline phenomenon of ‘economy-class syndrome’, or
deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The pack is given out by the
airline as standard on those flights where passengers are
at most risk, or to those passengers identified as having
increased risk, including people over 40, expectant mothers
and people recovering from surgery. The travel aid pack
is a contemporary capsule containing appropriate medicine,
mineral water, travel stockings, written massage instructions,
information about the condition and counter measures
that can be taken when on the plane. It aims to reassure
travellers of all ages and abilities.
37

Nicholas Jinkinson & Nicholas Paterson/
Design Products
> wearable hanger
38
A wearable hanger, either retro-fitted or integrated as part
of the garment at manufacture. It allows the jacket to hang
correctly almost anywhere – from chair backs to car hooks -
preserving its shape and offering a structurally and visually
superior alternative to present solutions. A fundamentally
simple design using plastic technology, it combines flexibility
when wearing with rigidity when hanging. Particular inspiration
has come from looking at where coats are placed
during the day by those constantly on the move in an urban
environment, and the fact that detailed design thought is
not given to what happens to a garment when it is not
being worn.

Romain Lawson/Vehicle Design
> ciconia
A single seater, low speed airplane that is derived from
a glider, including features such as quiet operation and
respect for the environment. The design is light and airy
allowing the user to fly with a sense of freedom and mobility.
It aims to invite urban dwellers to view the wide open
spaces of the French countryside, opening up hidden areas
of culture and heritage as well as creating an appreciation
for the environment. Ciconia is the Latin word for ‘stork’, a
bird considered to be a lucky charm in France. The design is
also inspired by the distinctive characteristics of the stork.
39

Marie Lenclos/Communication Art & Design
> and those less able to stand
40
An in-depth study resulting in a short colour film describing
the feelings and challenges experienced by parents who
have a daily struggle taking their children on public transport
in London. The project aims to create a sense of community
amongst these parents, through empathy with the experiences
being recounted on film. It offers an insight into this
socially invisible area to the people who make important
transport decisions, as well as the general public. When
shown on television or in support groups and community
centres, the film enables discussions and exchanges to
develop between individuals, allowing parents and carers to
discover new feelings of confidence, self-respect and hope.

Lola Llorca/Design Products
> clothery bottle for the city
A cloth water bottle for the city environment that combines
the modern habit of the urban traveller to carry a plastic
bottle of water around with the ancient tradition of the
leather wine bag. It is a flexible and soft container that can
be carried in the pocket even when full of water. Inspired by
the shape of the Spanish wine bag, Clothery uses modern
materials and construction techniques to self-seal. As the
container can mould itself around the body, it is more comfortable
to carry than a bottle and can become an essential
personal item for those on the move. The environmental
benefits in saving on plastic are potentially large.
41

Cristian Norlin/Computer Related Design
> travelwatch
42
Travelwatch is a mobile phone-based personalised travel
information service for commuters using tube, train and
bus networks. Each user creates their own travel profile
incorporating their main journeys. Using today’s technology,
up-to-date information is streamed to the phone allowing
journeys to be planned and replanned whilst on the move.
The information is delivered in a simple graphical format
allowing display of details, such as the space available on
the next train. The system is customisable to both user and
phone, and has a wide application for anyone attempting
to navigate through an urban travel network, susceptible
to delays and changes, at a moment’s notice.

Jochen Paesen/Vehicle Design
> SW7>>
A transport scenario projected for 2007 when investment
has considerably improved London’s public transport,
creating a more attractive alternative to the car. Many
streets have become pedestrianised with access restricted
to cycles, delivery vehicles and the SW7 taxi. The taxi is
used as a ‘door to door’ service for two people plus a driver,
becoming a cocoon to transport children to school, or acting
as a mobile office between meetings. Further uses envisage
tourist applications and special privileged use for people
with disabilities. The taxi is an extension of public transport,
using a pass and point scheme to measure its usage and
integrate it with existing travelcard schemes.
43

Christiane Posch/Design Products
> gestural interfaces
44
Digital information on our credit cards, PDAs, mobile phones
and CD-players forms invisible layers of information about
us. Using these ‘data auras’, wireless networks can be
created between people whose common ground is that
they are in the same physical space, rather than grouping
by age, gender or ability. As well as drawing on the new
technologies of Bluetooth TM and fourth generation mobile
phones, the more fundamental language of ‘gestures’ is
used as part of the interfacing. This service can be used
to share any type of data such as music files, link people
of the same interests, or just share a ‘digital flower’ with
the person walking past.

Michael Saunders/Design Products
> a car for the city
A car designed specifically for the crowded city environment,
with the unique approach of designing the vehicle from the
point of view of the pedestrian rather than the motorist.
Specific attention has been paid to the short shopping trip
– it has a detachable boot that serves as a shopping trolley
giving the user an easier task of transporting heavy goods.
It also transforms from a horizontal position for driving to a
vertical position when parked, so reducing the space needed
and aiding access to and from the vehicle. The project arises
from observational studies of traffic flow and car usage when
shopping.
45

Indri Tulusan/Design Products
46
An investigation into how the digital information landscape
can define personal interests with emotional and poetic
qualities, rather than providing purely hard information.
This is done by merging virtual and real space through
a system that uses local networks of people (lost object
spotters), a shared space (local neighbourhood) and current
phone and web-based technologies to reveal the history
behind the vast number of lost objects in the urban environment.
Abandoned consumer goods are not only recycled
effectively, but the street becomes clearer and easier to
navigate. The lives of those around us – something we
are largely unaware of – becomes part of the narrative.

care
the brief: innovation in the design of
a product, image, system, service or
environment which responds to the
lifestyles, needs and aspirations of
young disabled people
48

Georgina Bartlett/Fashion & Textiles 50
>clothing project
Cajsa Flensburg/Industrial Design Engineering 51
>jewellery pill box
Nicholas Foster/Design Products 52
> pianoforte
Edward Goodwin/Industrial Design Engineering 53
>craft & medical scalpels
Katherine Gough/Industrial Design Engineering 54
> breathe: asthma medication packaging
Andrew McCulloch/Industrial Design Engineering 55
>social climbing
Guy Robinson/Industrial Design Engineering 56
>life supports
Kelly Sant/Design Products 57
>xplore the floor
William Welch/Goldsmithing, Silversmithing,
Metalwork and Jewellery 58
> adaptable cutlery
Ben Wilson/Design Products 59
>hand driven trike
49

Georgina Bartlett/Fashion & Textiles
> clothing project
A range of clothing that incorporates style and desirability
with ease of wear. It utilises a new knitting technique that
allows almost any fabric to be woven, to allow stretching
to fit any body shape. Combined with innovative ideas for
fastening and pattern cutting, the range is ideally suited to
wheelchair users or young people with limited dexterity. The
range includes able bodied people, forming a link between
individuals regardless capability. The project redresses the
balance by boldly designing for a socially invisible group
outside mainstream fashion.
50

Cajsa Flensburg/Industrial Design Engineering
> jewellery pill box
Why shouldn’t a functional pill container be a decorative
item worn as part of a necklace or attached to a key
ring The design of this functional yet aesthetic accessory
transforms a pill or lozenge into an integral design feature.
Easy to open and close, it is intended for one day’s supply
only of pills. In this way, the phial acts a natural reminder
to its user of how many have been taken. In an emergency
too, the transparency of the pillbox sends a visual signal
to paramedics of the user’s medical condition, that can be
inscribed on the base.
51

Nicholas Foster/Design Products
> pianoforte
Pianoforte is a speaker system whose method of volume
control requires less dexterity than the usual rotary knobs
or digital up/down buttons. Volume is increased by opening
the door covering the cone and decreased by closing it.
Each action triggers a resistance change in the hinge, which
alters the volume in the speaker cone. Both actions serve as
visible metaphors that help children with learning disabilities
understand the concepts of volume control and make the
product suitable for use in multi-sensory (snoezlin) rooms.
People with motor disabilities, atheosis, or reduced grip
strength will benefit from the greater ease of use.
52

Edward Goodwin/Industrial Design Engineering
> craft and medical scalpels
Scalpels are used by surgeons, craftsmen, modelmakers,
pattern cutters, leather workers, lighting manufacturers
and furniture makers - the list goes on. This two-part project
for a disposable surgical scalpel and its reusable metal
equivalent eliminates some of the problems relating to
current designs. The safety issues of applying, removing
and storing blades for metal scalpels have been resolved.
By integrating blade dispensing and storage into the handle,
the user can locate and apply them quickly and avoid injury.
The design of the standard disposable scalpel, modelled as
it is on its metal equivalent, has also been rethought and the
manufacturing process optimised.
53

Katherine Gough/Industrial Design Engineering
>breathe: asthma medication
packaging
Two products that reduce the stigma of taking asthma
medication in public, aimed at the image-conscious school
age market. Breathe is a compact accessory that holds the
standard medication canister and fits neatly into pockets
or bags. Intuitively self-sealing, it can be opened in seconds
for use when needed, and when closed prevents dust and
fluff ingression. Breezy is a bag that holds any make of
inhalers and spacer, allowing children to carry their own
medication thus promoting responsibility and encouraging
self medication. Both are designed to have a ‘cool’ image
for young people and school children alike.
54

Andrew McCulloch/Industrial Design Engineering
> social climbing
Wheelchair design has changed radically over the past 20
years but the push rim method of independent propulsion
that depends on grip and arm strength has remained the
same. This project aims to optimise push rim propulsion
for independent manual wheelchair users and allow disabled
users who have been prevented thus far to experience the
joy of unassisted movement. The driving and braking
system is based on mountain bike disc brake technology.
It provides the user with a more comfortable and ergonomic
driving action, a progressive braking system, and an
opportunity to gear their drive to suit the environment.
55

Guy Robinson/Industrial Design Engineering
> life supports
56
Crutches are designed to support independent mobility but
their traditional design can cause joint, shoulder, nerve and
lower back problems to long term users. The aesthetic
styling of this radical redesign of the standard crutch places
it firmly within contemporary sports culture and removes its
stigma as a medical prosthesis. Current sports technology
has been incorporated to improve usability - the handle is
designed to shift pressure from the centre of the hand;
elastometric suspension at the tip reduces shock loading
while the curved stem and suspended woven mesh interface
along the forearm redistributes pressure and avoids damage
to the ulna nerve.

Kelly Sant/Design Products
> xplore the floor
For young disabled children who are floorbound, the
restricted nature of their play environment can limit their
ability to experience the world holistically. By creating
opportunities for independent movement and selfdetermination,
Xplore the Floor stimulates sensory
curiosity leading to the development of natural exercise
routines.The two products have been designed to be
used separately or as a part of an integrated, modular play
landscape - the tactile mat can be used as a massage surface
while a collection of illuminating rubber wall-mounted hand
grips extends the play space and provides physical support.
57

William Welch/
Goldsmithing, Silversmithing, Metalwork & Jewellery
> adaptable cutlery
This range of adaptable cutlery is designed for people with
poor grip or restricted hand movement. Its mainstream
design aesthetic, however, integrates the user with their
dining companions and makes it an attractive choice for
people of all abilities. The oversized handle is filled with
a smart material that is responsive to human touch and
moulds itself to individual user needs while the head bends
sideways to optimize hand/mouth coordination. A looped
strap fits over the hand and slots into the suction pad at
the base of the handle.
58

Ben Wilson/Design Products
> hand driven trike
This hand-powered trike was designed for an active eightyear
old end user with lower body paralysis and a desire
for a machine styled like the bikes of his able-bodied friends.
The overall concept, however, is for riders of all ages and
abilities including those who prefer hand propulsion to using
their feet. A unique mechanism in the saddle area allows
the rider to corner and steer the vehicle by calibrating the
distribution of their upper body weight. Ready-made high
tech components and ‘street cred’ styling ensure the trike’s
place in mainstream bike design.
59

location
ground level
fashion &
textiles
60
architecture
&
interiors
design
products
kensington
gore
helen
hamlyn
research
centre
college
shop
communication art
& design
conservation &
history
of art
main entrance
(next to royal albert hall)

location
lower level
wheelchair
access
canteen
access
canteen
61
industrial
design
engineering
kensington
gore
animation
computer
related
design
vehicle
design
computer
related design
vehicle
design

judges
62
> Age Panel
Roger Coleman (Chair)
Co-Director, Helen Hamlyn Research Centre
Marion Bieber
University of the Third Age
Robin Levien
Studio Levien
Colette Nicolle
HUSAT Research Institute, School of Ergonomics
and Human Factors, Loughborough University
Matthew White
Helen Hamlyn Research Associate 2001
> Work Panel
Jeremy Myerson (Chair)
Co-Director, Helen Hamlyn Research Centre
Terry Gunnery
DEGW
Tom Lloyd
Pearson Lloyd
Ian Johnston
Helen Hamlyn Research Associate 2000
Kirsteen Mackay
Helen Hamlyn Research Associate 2000

judges
> Mobility Panel
John Bound (Chair)
Helen Hamlyn Research Centre
Prof Alastair Macdonald
Glasgow School of Art
Mike Boyle
Transport Consultant
Paul Priestman
Priestman Goode Associates
Helen Jones
Helen Hamlyn Research Associate 2001
63
> Mobility Panel
Julia Cassim (Chair)
Helen Hamlyn Research Centre
David Constantine
Motivation
Adrian Berry
Factory Design
Stuart Monroe
Healthcare Consultant
Dan Plant
Helen Hamlyn Research Associate 2000

thanks
The Helen Hamlyn Research Centre would like
to thank the following people and organisations
who have contributed to the Design for our
Future Selves competition 2001:
64
> User Groups:
University of the Third Age, OpenAge
Project, and East Chelsea Community
Contact Organisation (ECCCO)
> Expert Advisers:
Chitra Aloysius, Mike Ayres, Nigel Chapman,
Nick Dormon, Laurence Gunzi, Sylvia Katz,
Ian Lilley, Santa Raymond, Niall Tarrell,
Gavin Turner, John Wagstaff, Andrew Walker
and Paul Warner
> The judging panels
> Staff and students of the Royal College
of Art
> Margaret Durkan for design and graphics
> Finally, our special thanks go to Helen
Hamlyn and the Helen Hamlyn Foundation
for their generous support.
Rama Gheerawo
Competition Co-ordinator, Helen Hamlyn Research Centre

design-f
or=our,fu
tur,
,design
,,our,
future
,selves
>design for
our future
selves

design-f
or=our,fu
tur,
,design
,,our,
future
,selves
The Helen Hamlyn
Research Centre
Royal College of Art
Kensington Gore
London SW7 2EU
T 0207 590 4242
F 0207 590 4244
hhrc@rca.ac.uk
www.hhrc.rca.ac.uk