THE UNIVERSAL DESIGN FLATWARE SET
Inspired by my Grandmother who suffers from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, I designed this fork, spoon, and knife collection for individuals with limited ability to grip standard utensils. It creates an accessible dining experience while enhancing the utensils' beauty and elegance.
OBSERVATIONAL RESEARCH
While observing my Grandmother's hand grip and movements, I noticed that she was not able to fully close her first, which made it difficult for her to hold utensils since they are typically very thin,
MARKET RESEARCH
Existing solutions lack the elegance of standard utensils and the accommodation of different grip sizes. I saw a gap in the market for a thoughtful solution for allowing handles to adapt based on the user's need.
FUNCTIONALITY IDEATION
ERGONOMIC & AESTHETIC REFINEMENT
User testing informed the size and shape of the thumb depression area, while aesthetics were inspired by elegant curves and flower petals.
FINAL DESIGN
The Bloom Collection is a flatware set with two magnetic "petal" attachments. The petals can be attached to the fork and spoon to increase the size of the utensil.
PRODUCT COMPARISON
A "petal" attachment with an embedded magnet allows the utensil handle to increase in size, allowing for a more ergonomic grip compared to standard utensils. The attachment also makes it a comparable size to existing forks designed for individuals with limited gripping abilities.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN
The form of the thumb depression area and the ability to attach an additional piece increases the functionality and ergonomics of the flatware set for a wide range of users, without sacrificing the overall elegance.
THE BLOOM COLLECTION