reimagined object - foam roller
by Hoi Ching Yeung Christina
research phase
object inventory for serene, female, hong kong, 17
This object inventory consists of a medal, an energy bar, an umbrella, a wallet, a pack of vitamin candies, a box of g3 juice, a foam roller, a uniform with messages from friends, hand-held roll-on massage tool, conical flask with messages from chemistry teacher, a bottle of hand cream, an empty energy drink bottle with messages from the secret angel, a pile of practice paper, a camera, a hairbrush, a pair of track running spikes, a pack of chewing gums, a pair of sports sunglasses, headphones and a massage gun, 20 objects in total
This object inventory consists of a medal, an energy bar, an umbrella, a wallet, a pack of vitamin candies, a box of g3 juice, a foam roller, a uniform with messages from friends, hand-held roll-on massage tool, conical flask with messages from chemistry teacher, a bottle of hand cream, an empty energy drink bottle with messages from the secret angel, a pile of practice paper, a camera, a hairbrush, a pair of track running spikes, a pack of chewing gums, a pair of sports sunglasses, headphones and a massage gun, 20 objects in total
observing research
observing research insight
The object user's design tastes and opinions are more on the sporty side. Based on the observing research, it is clear to me that she likes darker and simpler colours such as black and dark blue. On the other hand, all her objects are minimalistic, with a bit of futuristic elements due to the influence of her sports related objects. Little to no patterns are shown on her objects, confirming her interest in simplicity. Moreover, there are several sentimental objects, for example, the uniform, the conical flask and the empty energy drink. This points to the conclusion that the object user is someone who enjoys and values the nostalgia.
immersive research
prompt 1: browsing fitness equipment
prompt 2: ice skating
prompt 2: ice skating
prompt 3: gym
prompt 4: seaside
immersive research insight
My object user is someone that I have known for not a long time but holds dear to my heart. Although spending very little time together in Hong Kong, some of the memories we shared are the most meaningful, pure, and precious. Starting the interview, not only was she a bit hesitated because of the unfamiliar questions, but also felt the awkwardness due to the unusual formality of this interaction. Fortunately, she slowly opened up and found herself enjoying the reminiscence, which was obvious from her gentle smile. During the 25-minute talk, we joked about the hilarious moments, and I realised I know a bit more about her as a person. Her simple mindset shows how she is easily satisfied with what she has got in her own hands. Her constant complaint of having to give a reason for her happiness indicates that she is not an expressive person but is simple-minded. Not to mention she is clearly a sentimental person, from her ability to remember most of the details about the significance of a specific occasion, and sweet gestures from her loved ones. She might not be someone materialistic, but she is definitely someone who is emotionally attached to a memory or an object.
engaging research
<interview transcript>
Christina: I’m recording.
Serene: Okay.
Christina: Thank you for your time for helping me with this assignment. In this project I will redesign an object for you, so I have to dig deep and know more about your values and opinions etc. To begin with, can you briefly introduce yourself?
Serene: I am Serene.
Christina: When did you first know me?
Serene: Probably since Form 1 (Grade 7)?
Christina: Okay. What did you do today?
Serene: I have been continuously revising and doing past papers.
Christina: Have you always been revising these days?
Serene: Yes.
Christina: Do you have a lot of things that you want to do but you do not have time?
Serene: Yes.
Christina: Alright. What do you want to do?
Serene: Go to training and go out… I can’t go out…
Christina: That’s sad. So the object that I want to redesign for you is your foam roller. I want to ask why do you need to use a foam roller?
Serene: Because usually after training my legs are sore, like my muscles are sore. So when I am using the foam roller I can relax my muscles, thus they won’t be too stiff and I won’t injure myself.
Christina: When do you usually go to training? Like usually how many days of the week do you go to training?
Serene: 3-4 days?
Christina: Okay. So it means you use your foam roller nearly every time after training?
Serene: Right.
Christina: Alright. How do you feel when you are using your foam roller?
Serene: Too painful!
Christina: Okay! Can you tell me your experience when buying this foam roller? Like why do you buy this foam roller?
Serene: I think I bought this a long time ago. Because at that time I heard people recommended that this can help relax your muscles when you use it, that’s why I went for it.
Christina: What significance or meaning does this foam roller have to you?
Serene: This foam roller… it is useful. Because my legs were injured in the past due to my muscles being too stiff. This has been very useful for relaxing my muscles, so I won’t get hurt that easily.
Christina: Do you have similar foam rollers?
Serene: Erm yeah. I have 3 at home.
Christina: Then why did you include this one in your object inventory (instead of the other two)?
Serene: Because I use this one most often and I don’t use the other two that often.
Christina: Does it mean this chosen foam roller is more useful (than the other two)? Like the other two are not as useful?
Serene: Yeah. Because this chosen one suits my usual needs better.
Christina: If you would have to change one part of your foam roller, what would be it?
Serene: Erm… Change the pattern (of the foam roller)? Because although there are convex parts of the foam roller, sometimes they cannot really target specific part of the sore muscle. Like it cannot counter the most needed parts (of the muscle). Yeah you can change this.
Christina: Do you think your foam roller is aesthetically pleasing?
Serene: No. It’s very ugly.
Christina: Okay. So you would like your foam roller to be prettier.
Serene: If it is possible, yeah.
Christina: Okay. Do you like using your foam roller?
Serene: I guess yeah.
Christina: Erm… Do you carry your foam roller around?
Serene: Erm not really because it is difficult to carry around. Like it is inconvenient.
Christina: But do you have the needs to carry it around?
Serene: Erm… if I have to go to the sportsground or to a competition then I will bring it out.
Christina: Okay… Should be good now. I got enough information. Anything that you want to ask?
Serene: Why do we have to do this again… (the first recording has no audio so we reconducted the interview…)
Christina: Sorry… Okay all good? Any request?
Serene: Request?
Christina: Yeah special request!
Serene: Erm… No… Make it prettier.
Christina: Okay, nice. Thank you! Bye bye!
engaging research insight
Dealing with the stress of the college entrance exam in Hong Kong, my object user has put a halt to her track training, which she absolutely misses going. Noticed her passion in running as a person, and from the observing and immersive research, I decided to redesign her foam roller, which is an object that she needs for relaxing her muscles after training. In this engaging research, I obtained more information on her habits on using the foam roller, and how she feels about it. Using the foam roller 3-4 times a week is very frequent, indicating her needs for the foam roller is relatively high. She also mentioned that the object helps prevent her from getting hurt easily, which I believe getting injured as an athlete is something that traumatised her in the past. From her response during the interview, it is clear that she values the functionality of an object more than everything else, since she would rather choose this foam roller, which she thinks it is ugly, instead of the others due to it being more suitable for her usual needs. As for her concerns, she expressed the convex parts of the foam roller sometimes cannot really target specific part of the sore muscles. Therefore, I believe most of the redesigns need to focus on the needs for my object user, especially on changing the patterns of the foam roller.
design phase
sketches
design #1 - drill out the inner part of the foam roller and insert handles/ rolling pin for easier exertion of force
design #2 - drill out the inner part of the foam roller and insert a container for storage
design #3 - customisable bumpy knobs and ridges for different needs
design #4 - add a sling bag with a detachable buckle for easier carry and storage
design #5 - add a case with bumpyer patterns for easier carry and increased intensity
design #6 - insert a vibrator inside the foam roller for increased intensity
idea testing & feedback
The object user is satisfied with all 6 of the redesigns. She believes #2, #4 and #5, although being very well made designs, only serve a convenience purpose. She also mentioned that #6 is very similar to her massage gun, which might clash with its use and function. However, she could not decide which design between #1 and #3 is her favourite. Therefore, combining both #1 and #3 should raise the design to a higher level.
final design
collages
collage #1 - experimenting the futuristic style and materials of popular fitness equipment
collage #2 - introducing the relationship between the object user and running
collage #3 - exploring different shades of blue (the colour of the redesigned object)
collage #4 - object user from my point of view
collage #5 - trying different types of textures and materials with simplistic but abstract style
final collage - imagining the experience of using the redesigned foam roller
affordance
video on affordance of the final design
<video transcript>
The definition of affordance states that it is the relationship between the properties of an object and the capabilities of the agent. Affordance is also determined by the qualities of the object and the abilities of the agent that is interacting. In the final design, I combined both customisable bumpy knobs and the insertable rolling pin in the redesign of the foam roller. For the customisable bumpy knobs, they can be inserted into the holes on the foam roller, allowing my object user to arrange the perfect pattern for her needs at the moment. There is a convex part on each bumpy knot to indicate its direction of insertion. While for the insertable rolling pin, it is designed so that my object user can exert pressure to increase the intensity of the massage. A tunnel is designed on the rolling pin to indicate the direction of insertion, as well as to ensure the rolling pin is placed properly and locked in position. Concave parts are made to indicate the position of object user's hands when in rolling motion. I also changed it from orange to blue as per request, so my object user can have a better sensory experience when using the foam roller.
