Creating Comfort: From Observation to Solution Design
The idea for this project originated from a familiar scenario: watching my mom struggle with back pain while doing household chores. Seeing her wear an apron every time she cooks made me wonder: could an apron do more than just protect clothes? Could it also provide support to ease discomfort and make chores more comfortable? This document details the steps I took from the initial observation to designing a solution, even though the product itself is currently in the conceptual stage.
MY ROLE​
-
Based on observations creating a practical solution that addresses and offers a practical solution.
TEAM
-
Individual Project
DURATION:
-
2-3 Weeks
Empathize
The journey started with empathy. I spent time understanding my mom's daily routine and the challenges she faced. Observing her movements and noting when she experienced pain gave crucial insights into the problem. understanding her pain points and daily challenges became the foundation of the design process.
User Research:
Research Time! I interviewed people who had similar issues and examined existing apron designs to understand their strengths and weaknesses. By gathering insights about their experiences and challenges, I gained a deeper understanding of the problem. This research phase allowed me to identify common pain points and the features that people wanted. It was crucial in helping me step outside my own experience and understand the broader needs.
It always starts from the people
Based on the interviews, two user roles are created to represent different user segments
-
A mother who spends significant time cooking and experiences back pain.
​
-
Needs: Relief from back pain while performing daily cooking tasks.
​
-
Pain Points: Back pain and discomfort while cooking, difficulty in maintaining good posture for extended periods
SUDHA SHARMA (HOMEMAKER), PRIMARY USER
Meet the Users
Persona 1:
Name: Sudha Sharma
​
Demographics: Indian, aged 56, mother of two children.
​
Occupation: Homemaker
​
Background: Cooks daily for her family and experiences chronic back pain.
​
Goals: To cook comfortably without experiencing back pain, maintain good posture, and improve overall kitchen efficiency.
​
Challenges: Strained back muscles, lack of supportive kitchen gear, and prolonged standing time while cooking.
Persona 2:
Name: Tiya Sharma
​
Demographics: Indian, aged 26, Single
​
Occupation: IT Engineer
​
Background: Tiya is an IT engineer concerned about her 56-year-old mother, Sudha, who suffers from chronic back pain.
​
Goals: Aim to find a solution for her mother's chronic back pain and support her in maintaining her health.
​
Challenges: To find an effective back support solution for her mother, who often neglects her own discomfort. Temporary fixes fail, and convincing her mother to prioritize her health is challenging.
Pain Points
-
Persistent back pain
-
Strain from heavy lifting
-
Difficulty maintaining good posture
-
Fatigue and discomfort during daily activities
-
Ergonomic ignorance
Pain Points
-
Constant worry about her mother's health
-
Frustration with ineffective temporary solutions
-
Struggle to find a practical, lasting solution for her mother's back pain.
The storyboard
How can I ease her cooking-related back pain?
Solution​​
-
Designing an apron that serves dual purposes: providing clothing protection + effective back support.
Defining the Problem
With these research & observations, the core problem was clear: many people experience back pain during household chores due to prolonged bending and lifting. The goal was to design an apron that not only protects clothes but also provides back support.
Ideation and Sketching
Next, I moved to prototyping. Sketches were created to visualize the concept. These designs with ergonomic back panels, adjustable support bands, and breathable materials. This phase was all about experimenting and refining the design based on practical feedback from the primary user—my mom. Though the product isn’t physically available yet, these sketches laid the foundation for the final design.
​
-
More Pockets
-
Heat resistance
-
Easy to clean
-
Colour and design variety:
-
Convertibility to a half-apron
​
-
Adjustable straps
-
Removable padding
-
Weight distribution
-
Comfort
-
Breathable fabrics
Suggestions and Feedback Received:​
Testing and Iteration
Sharing the sketches with potential users yielded valuable feedback. Adjustments were made to enhance comfort, adjustability, and aesthetic appeal based on their input. During this conceptual phase, I actively sought feedback from users, including discussions with my mom and others facing similar challenges. Their input helped refine the design, making it more user-friendly and effective.
Based on their feedback, changes were implemented to enhance comfort, adjustability, and aesthetic appeal.
Final Concept Design
After multiple iterations, the end result was a fashionable apron that incorporates back support, blending both practicality and visual appeal. The apron is comfortable, functional, and stylish, with the purpose of reducing the discomfort of household tasks.
Key features include:
-
Adjustable Straps: Customizable for a personalized fit.
-
Removable Padding: Enhances comfort and support as needed.
-
Optimized Weight Distribution: Minimizes strain on the back and shoulders.
-
Breathable Fabrics: Ensures comfort during extended wear.
-
Ample Pockets: Provides convenient storage for essentials.
-
Heat-Resistant Materials: Withstands kitchen environments.
-
Easy-Clean Design: Facilitates effortless maintenance.
-
Variety in Colors and Designs: Offers options to suit different preferences.
-
Convertibility to Half-Apron: Adaptable for various tasks and preferences.​​​
SIGNING OFF!
Retrospective
This project taught me the power of empathetic observation and user-centered design. By witnessing my mom's daily struggle with back pain during chores, I gained insights into real-life challenges. It highlighted how empathy-driven design can spark innovative solutions, like the concept of an apron with integrated back support. This experience reinforced that great UX begins with understanding users' needs deeply and addressing them with creativity and empathy, aiming to improve everyday comfort and quality of life.