Nathaniel Ball427A Strawberry StreetRichmond, VA 23220804.380.7141id.nball@gmail.com

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

Sim

ple

Hu

ma

n D

esig

n C

om

pe

titio

n

S

prin

g 2

008

As a submission for the Simple Human’s Simple Solutions Competition, mano was designed to make dish washing a more user friendly task for those with limited dexterity.

The design allows for a variety of grips for completing multiple dish washing tasks. The form is intended to relieve the forces put on joints and muscles of hands suffering from arthritis.

manoSIMPLE DISH WASHING

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

CURRENT PRODUCT ANALYSIS

To grip requires a basic amount of stress on the joints with even more stress created when scrubbing dishes.

Dispenses the stress forces to the arm and shoulder, which relieves stress on the hand. But has limited use due to size and shape.

Requires the hand to “cup” the object; increasing stress on the hand joints. Limited mobility due to rigidity of the material.

Reduces stress by allowing the hand to lay flat and finger to fit into the loop. Limited use by flat shape.

The hand is required to “cup” and increases stress on the hand joints. Limited mobility because of bulky form.

The new design must have enough rigidity to force the hand to form around the shape to reduce stress. It must also have a form that allows for multiple grips for multiple tasks. The form must fit the hand comfortably enough to clean dishes with ease.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

CONCEPTUAL SKETCHING

Open palm form and reduces stress, but can only function in one position.

Replaceable sponge, form offers a variety of grips. Too open on the end to secure easily in the hand.

The final concept has a 360 degree closure around the thumb for a easier grip.

Scrubbing bristles in addition to the cleansing sponge; will give the user the ability to clean with varying intensities.

To keep cost to a minimum for the customer, the dish scrubber must be easy to keep clean with easily replaceable components. This will add to the product’s life span, costing the consumer less.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

PRODUCT FEATURES

Base part is reusable and dishwasher safe.

The sponge is disposable and easy to remove.

Placed injection molded scrub bristles for intense cleansing.

Co-molded thumb ring provides padding for the thumb.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

PRIMARY GRIPFits between the thumb and index finger, keeps hand flat for less stress.

ALTERNATIVE GRIP 1Utilizes the scrub brush to remove stuck on food.

ALTERNATIVE GRIP 2Using the scrub brush in an second position for intense scrubbing.

ALTERNATIVE GRIP 3Position specifically used for cleaning cups and glasses.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

De

ll R

eg

en

era

tion

De

sign

Co

mp

etit

ion

S

prin

g 2

008

Wattson was designed in a partnership with Linh Kooc as an entry for Dell’s Regeneration Competition.

In response to rising energy costs and a drive to be more environmentally friendly, business and homeowners are looking to slash their energy bills. Wattson allows users to monitor and control their energy usage through an interactive screen, easily reach power cords and have better cord organization. This product was designed to eliminate parasitic power loss and make users more aware of their energy consumption.

POWER MONITORING OUTLET

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

It is estimated that businesses could reduce their energy bills by 10% if they took advantage of power saving options on many modern electronics.

Many businesses have cluttered desk spaces with endless messes of power cords. Unorganized desk spaces give an unprofessional look.

IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM

Companies and office workers do not take advantage of power saving options on their electronics due to many factors. One factor is that many people do not know their electronics well enough to utilize power save options. Second, some people are just simply lazy and do not care or are simply unaware of their power consumption. People need to be made aware of their energy usage.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

CURRENTLY ON THE MARKET

Stationary, has to stay on the wall which is sometimes difficult to reach.

Customizing is a nice detail that helps keep cord management easy.

Need the ability to turn off individual outlets, not just the whole power strip.

Many power strips sit on the floor due to short cord lengths, this makes it hard to reach considering most sit under the desk.

The current power strips on the market make it difficult for workers to access them to stationary design. Other designs do not allow customers to turn off individual outlets to conserve power. The new design must allow for easier interaction between the power strip and user.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

CONCEPTUALIZATION

Space to fit over desk edge.

Touch screen for monitoring.

Low profile, gives the look of “less clutter”.

Touch screen pitch at an angle to make for easier viewing. “Slithering” profile could be used for branding.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

OUTLET ORGANIZATION

The top outlets are setup to be above the desk’s surface; making it easier to plug in temporary objects such as cell phones, laptops and mp3 players.

The outlets on the bottom are reserved for more permanent objects such as computer monitors and printers. Outlets for these objects are not unplugged often, thus being located uder the desk surface.

The key to cord management is defining which objects get priority over others. Defining what primary and secondary objects are will allow for easier cord management. Identifying these objects will setup the overall design of Wattson.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

FEATURES

Users can monitor and control individual power outlets. Possible power savings are shown as money savings to be more tangeable to users. Individual outlets can be callibrated with timers to particular electronic objects that are plugged in.

Top outlets are for temporary objects such as cell phones, laptops, etc.

Pivot point allows for screen adjustment for easy viewing and to reduce glare.

Adjustable clamps let the user attach Wattson to the edge of their desk for easy access.

Outlets on the bottom are reserved for primary objects such as printers, computer monitors, cpu’s, lights, etc.

Touch Screen Interface

Companies and office workers do not take advantage of power saving options on their electronics due to many factors. One factor is that many people do not know their electronics well enough to utilize power save options. Second, some people are just simply lazy and do not care or are simply unaware of their power consumption. People need to be made aware of their energy usage.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

POWER MONITORING OUTLET

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

auraIn a cooperative team project with AMTRAK, a trainset was designed for the southeast United States for passenger transportation. Operating as the team leader, I oversaw the design process and strategy with four other team members.

This project was about revitalizing existing passenger cars to cut cost and to boost consumer interest in rail travel. Revitalization took place through wholistic ideas of the passenger experience and how to improve the passenger experience. The aura concept train was designed during one semester by five Industrial Designers working together in several areas.

Please see the entire project book in the accompanying file titled, “Aura Project Book”.

Sen

ior G

rou

p P

roje

ct

- Pa

sse

ng

er R

ail

De

sign

Fall

2008

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Virginia Tech Spotlight Article: http://www.vt.edu/spotlight/innovation/2010-01-11-trains/train-concepts.html

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

Sen

ior D

esig

n T

he

sis

Sp

ring

200

9PURSUITcardiac rehab suit

As a senior thesis, PURSUIT was developed to accelerate the rehabilitation time for recovering cardiac patients. To combat the drastic depression and anxiety that cardiac patients typically suffer from, it is very important for patients to return to their normal activities.

The rehabilitation suit is composed of stretch resistant materials to create resistance between muscle groups. By strengthening and toning the patients muscles, they can start endurance conditioning sooner. By starting their endurance training at an earlier date, patients can return to their normal lives.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

Many of the cardiac rehabilitation processes are very time consuming and can become very expensive. These are the two main deterrents for cardiac patients to continue their physical rehabilitation. The resolution should be relatively inexpensive and help free up time for the patients.

Gym memberships can be expensive. Patients can feel inferior around healthier people.

Running and exercising outdoors takes away valuable time during the day.

Home fitness equipment can be very expensive, especially when paying for existing medical care.

Depression among patients is very high, they realize their vulnerability.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

RESEARCH APPROACH

Site the ProblemFinding the cause of patients not completing rehabilitation programs.

Analyze RehabWhat processes do patients go through while in rehab?

InterviewUnderstand the rehab process from doctors, patients, and physical therapists point of view.

ReexaminationLook at the rehab process again, but with the knowledge gained from interviews.

DefinitionThe problem is defined and set within a particular time frame of rehab.

Patient InterviewName:Age:

How old were you when you had your heart surgery?

Why did you have surgery?

How long did it take you to recover?

How long was your rehabilitation?

What was your rehab process like?

What exercises were you required to do?

What kind of lifestyle changes did you have to make?

How did your diet change?

Describe your rehab process in detail.

The research aspect will be centered around cardiac rehabilitation processes, and interviews with patients, doctors and physical therapists. Research of calisthenic workouts will prove to be the most influential pieces of information for the functionality of the suit.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

CALISTHENICS OBSERVATIONThe most commonly used workout in early cardiac rehabilitation is calisthenics. This workout style simply uses the person’s body weight and gravity to build muscle strength. During cardiac rehab, this workout helps patients regain basic muscle strength so they can continue with more advanced workouts.

AB CRUNCHES AND SIT-UPS

PUSHUPS

STANDING CALVE

BODY SQUATS

SEATED DIP

PULL-UPS

These movements will be embodied in suit’s design. The resistance to build muscle strength will correspond to these workouts and muscle groups.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

MUSCLE GROUPSOnce examining the calisthenics workout, these muscle groups were determined to be the primary muscle being used to rebuild basic muscle strength.

These muscles will be the primary target to be worked out while wearing the rehab suit.

TRICEPS

DELTOIDS

TRAPS

FOREARMS

BICEPS

PECS

ABS

LATS

THIGHS

QUADS

GLUTES

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

CONCEPT DEFINITIONFrom the initial research information gathered, the design now has the information to determine its functionality.

The body suit will allow patients to wear it for extended times during the day while working their muscles when executing basic tasks. This will allow patients to recover basic muscle strength while doing normal activities instead of having to go to a gym.

Cardiac patients use calisthenics to recover from a variety of heart surgeries.

Calisthenics work these basic muscle groups to rebuild basic strength.

These muscles will be stimulated by resistance against shown muscles.

These movements will be captured in a body suit with resistance materials built in.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

CONCEPT SKETCHING

Distinguishable design for the male patient.

Curves accentuate the female form.

Mimic muscle tissue, neutral gray color.

Perferations allow for air circulation and add to the overall aesthetic.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

CONCEPT REVIEW AND RE-THINKINGAfter consulting with outside professionals and peers, the current form was seen as too aggressive for the older generation and that the suit should be unisex. More thought would be given to the suit’s aesthetic.

To get a better idea of how the suit should look and feel, observations of athletic training clothing too place. Looking at the structure of materials and seams would help determine the structure and look of the new concept.

Shapes with bigger radii tone down the aggressive look.

Seams run very close to pivot points to prevent chaffing.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

Latex stretch band was stretch fit to create resistance.

As the biceps contracts, the latex material creates more resistance.

The stretched latex creates resistance that equates to lifting a 10lb dumbbell.

A thumb strap is needed to keep the sleeve from sliding up the arm due to the stretched resistance material.

CONCEPT PROTOTYPINGUsing an Under Armor work out shirt and sewn on latex bands, a section of the suit was prototyped to insure that the proper would be gained from the suit. The latex was stretched and sewn on to create resistance.

The prototype successfully demonstrated that the built in resistance would create the proper forces to work the rehabbing muscles.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

CONCEPT SKETCHINGDefining the forms of the stretch resistant materials through sketching. The forms should mimic muscle tissue and body symmetry. The material should cover areas that require resistance.

Possible location, over the heart, for the name and logo.

Minimal color usage, lessens the aggressiveness to fit the older consumer.

Cross hatching mimics muscle tissue and resistant material character.

Material continues to the bottom to recognize the bottom half of the suit.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

CONCEPT SKETCHING

Accentuate body’s symmetry with division down the middle of the upper body.

Most perspiration occurs under the back of the neck, middle of the chest and the armpits.

Possible location, over the heart, for the name and logo.

Conceptual profiles of the perforated materials. The perforated material is used to dissipate heat and allow for air circulation in areas where the most sweating occurs.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

Perforations in high areas of sweat allow for air circulation and dissipation of heat.

The thumb strap keeps the suit from slipping up the user’s arm. This is also applied to the legs.

pu

rs

uit

Latex is stretch fit then sewn onto the basic suit. This will create the resistance needed for a workout.

Stitching and seams run through pivot points to reduce chaffing.

Branding space over the heart’s location.

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om

Na

tha

nie

l Ba

ll

pu

rs

uit

pursuit

Abdominal workout

Bicep workout

Glutes workout

Calve workout

Pectoral workout

Tricep workout

Thigh workout

id.n

ba

ll@g

ma

il.c

om