SECURE SEATuser-experience design & product development
the final project for my 3rd year product design studio, focused in user-centered design
Secure seat was designed for Topher Downham, a quadriplegic Boulder resident who is determined not to let his passion for mountain biking be limited by his disability. After working with Topher in close observation, in-depth conversations, and even days at the bike park, I developed, designed, and built an original product to help him make mountain biking more enjoyable for him and for others in the same position.
Spring 2023
Boulder, Colorado
Topher has created a community in Boulder of other quadriplegics who have a passion for outdoor sports, and they’ve discovered incredible ways to work around their limitations. After close observation, I noticed Topher hadn’t found an efficient way to keep his legs from sliding off the front of his wheelchair. He explained that he had been using a bungee cord to target this issue— for 15 years. This really stood out to me because I knew there had to be a better, more accommodating solution tomake his adventures more enjoyable.
BACKSTORY
My problem statement was: “How can I create something that can be easily attached and removed to the front of a wheelchair to help users keep their feet from sliding off the front of the footrest when active?”
DESIGN PROCESS
Materiality was a main focus for this project, because I wanted to make sure my product could be both comfortable and durable at the same time. In my prototyping phase I went through several iterations trying different types of elastic for the band, as well as velcro with various strength levels.
I chose to sew the materials together, so finding thread strong enough to hold securely, while also not breaking the sewing machine, was a challenge. Some of the pieces I had to hand sew with a needle and fishing line (shown in sketch)
BEHIND THE SCENES
at the Wonderland Lake Trailhead in Boulder, CO
These photos capture my classmates and I learning about the different mountain bikes, outdoor wheelchairs, and other equipment that have been designed for quadriplegic people who love to stay active in nature. In the 2nd and 3rd photos, Topher (green shirt) leads on his favorite trail and shows us how to control + direct the bikes. The wheelchair in the last photo is the one I chose to design Secure Seat for. As you can see, it has a knee/thigh strap and footrest built-in but nothing to keep the users ankles from sliding forward off the ledge.