Samiksha Gajbhiye
4th Semester, Industrial Design
Simple Product Design
Faculty- Kuntal De
National Institute of Design, Andhra Pradesh
SIMPLE PRODUCT DESIGN, a course which gave me an opportunity to make a present product better, in form as well as in function. The product I've chosen for this course is Tailoring scissors.
1 JUNE 2020
How simple or complex can the scissors be?
Even the simplest form of the scissors should be able to perform the fundamental task of cutting. Simplifying the form reduces the design to perform simple function, in this case, the task of cutting clothes. The form limits to cutting just one type of cloth material. Handles have slot in the form of holes just enough big to fit in the fingers.
Reducing the form to the point where it is able to perform its fundamental function, is what I think is the objective.
Lets trying make the form complex. Making the handles more ergonomic helps reduce the pain caused by continuous holding. Adding springs between the two blades can help reduce the pressure. Making the scissors ambidextrous will let the left handed users use the scissors properly.
But the question now is how complex can the product be? Complexity lets you add more features which makes the product easier to use but too much complexity will make the product difficult for the users to understand and to use.
2 JUNE 2020
After the discussion, I realized it wasn't just the complexity of design but also the context in which they can be used. Thinking the scissors in different contexts can help me challenge the product. Initially, all the ideas should be encouraged no matter how crazy they sound.
So, I brainstormed a little,
We got an assignment in which we had to imagine our product in different contexts.
old people cutting cloth
In the process of doing this assignment, I realized how different contexts had different requirements other than the cutting(the fundamental task of scissors). I had to understand the user, like an old person needs something which requires less pressure or a child who has a tendency to move the scissors needs something which can help her cut straight. And so different contexts had different solutions.
It's often human nature to think that the best solution is always new but in fact improvements can be quite subtle, and they can be best understood by understanding the users.
4 JUNE 2020
Writing the Design brief
After exploring the different contexts, I realized how different users/ scenarios' needs differed, and this brought me towards the next step, i.e, writing the design brief.
Never underestimate the power of a clear design brief. It condenses the key information and insights about your design and dictates the way in which the design will develop. It also helps in making design decisions by prioritizing the ultimate goal in the further design process.
These are few notes I wrote earlier which helped a little
Writing my vision for my design helped me writing down the brief .
One of the most important thing that I kept in mind while writing the brief was to keep it broad enough to be open to interpretation and capable of adapting to new ideas which will help in the subsequent development of the design.
So, I came up with two briefs which I feel have a great potential,
- DESIGN A PRODUCT WHICH IS EFFICIENT AND ERGONOMIC FOR CUTTING FABRIC, FOR THE LEFT HANDED TAILORS.
- DESIGN A PRODUCT WHICH FACILITATES CUTTING FABRIC FOR THE LEFT HANDED TAILORS.
But now the question arises,
Why do we need a different product?
This can be understood by understanding the current product's cutting action by left handed and right handed users.
Here I illustrate cutting action of scissors by left and right handed users.
5 JUNE 2020
After the discussion, I realized if the product is ambidextrous then it will benefit larger number of users. So I changed my brief,
DESIGN AN AMBIDEXTROUS PRODUCT WHICH IS EFFICIENT AND ERGONOMIC FOR CUTTING FABRIC, FOR THE TAILORS.
Understanding the system
"To solve a problem, we need to first understand the problem. Problems exist in the system. So we need to understand system."
Cutting a fabric is a small task of a process which in turn is a part of a bigger system. Different parts make up a system where they interdependent.
By understanding the System and the process, it helps notice the little details as well as help prevent unintended negative consequences which can come from new design of the product.
I started with Scissors and wrote down everything related to it by observing my mom (owns a boutique) while she was cutting fabric for customers' orders.
I observed the process which not only consists of cutting the fabric but also activities which lead to it. I questioned everything to know more about different scenarios.
Here I tried showing visually how the process happens and also tried answering few of the question which i asked previously.
While doing so I observed a pattern,
9 JUNE 2020
Patterns exist in a process, they show that the users know what they have to do next while a product. This usually happens for task which are obvious ones like for ex. In the process of drinking a bottle juice, you buy a bottle, you drink the drink and then you throw the bottle. But there also exist small tasks, like throwing the plastic cover which might not have a pattern, user might throw it before drinking or after drinking. Now if the bottle is designed so that the plastic cover doesn't get removed completely and somehow the design conveys it ...user will throw everything at once after drinking.This creates a pattern.
Observing even the small tasks, design opportunities can be found which can have great impact on the system.
History and evolution
Why is the scissors the way it is? How has it evolved through the time? What were the factors responsible for evolving a shear like structure to what we know today as scissors? What made the ancestors come up with something like a cutting tool at the first place?
These were some of the questions which needed to be answered to understand the present design of scissors more deeply. Products evolve differently because of the factors like necessity, circumstances, cultural and economic reasons and many others.
Scissors weren't invented in the current form but have rather evolved step by step from the first, primitives examples such the spring scissors, with two bladed attached by a metal strip in the middle, to the scissors we know today.
In the 2nd Century, a cutting tool was made which were the "spring scissors". The form what we call scissors came into being in the 17th century which was made of iron. But it wasn't until 1761 that it got manufactured for the mass. There were also decorated scissors made for the rich. Beautifully handcrafted scissors for various purposes from cigars to embroidery. After the Industrial revolution, the scissors became purely functional, and to this day most scissors are clean in line and made of stainless steel.
The major changes that took place after the introduction of pivoting scissors were:
- Pivoting blades, to cut different types of materials from cutting papers to wires.
- Sharpness of the blade, to facilitate cutting process.
- More ergonomics handles, for easy grip.
Different study fields contributed to make the scissors and with the advancements in the study fields, the scissors evolved.
Science- Making the scissors cut different objects.
Technology-Different materials made the handles more comfortable and easy to operate.
Engineering- Designing pivoting blades corresponding to the handles.
Mathematics- Designing the right proportion of handles to that of the blades.
some rough notes i made while reading about the history
a timeline showing the evolution of scissors
Parallel products
Scissors' shearing action helps cut paper. There are different tools which perform the shearing action though the purpose of action are different.
So, is it possible to incorporate the forms and mechanisms of different shearing tools in the product?
Are there any advantages in doing so?
I studied different tools which perform shearing actions like the pliers and gardening tools.
Research goals
The next step is doing the Research. It helps us understand the complex human behavior.
Research goals facilitates the research operation by giving a direction to our research which gives maximum information with minimum effort.
So my research goals are,
- UNDERSTAND THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFECTS OF USING THE TAILORING SCISSORS REPETITIVELY ON THE USERS.
- INTEGRATING THE NEW TECHNOLOGY IN THE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT OF THE PRODUCT TO MAKE IT MORE EFFECTIVE AND ERGONOMIC.
13 JUNE 2020
An effective research should have the following:
- a statement of objective the research will aim at.
- methods to carry out the research.
- Analyzing the data found out during the research.
Some questions which will aid the design decisions,
WHO?...questions help determine the users for whom I'll be making the product for.It will also give little background information about the users.
WHAT?.. questions will answer what the users might be doing and what they'll use.
WHEN?... this will tell the time and conditions when the product will be in use. Additionally it also tell the daily routines and the rhythms in behavior that might be needed to explore.
WHY?.. questions will help to
explain the underlying emotional and rational drivers of what a user is
doing, and the root reasons for that behavior.
How?.. questions will help go
into detail on what explicit actions or steps users take in order to perform
tasks or reach their goals.
HYPOTHESES,
H1: There are physical and mental effects of using the tailoring scissors repetitively on the users.
H2: New technology can be integrated in the design development of the product in making it more efficient and ergonomic.
Secondary Research
I started with secondary research. A research method which involves using already existing data helping in overall effectiveness of the research.
A study was conducted on Job
Strain and Health Problems among Tailors,
Tailoring is a kind of occupation which comes under
unorganized sector. A variety of
factors contribute to workplace stress such as negative workload,
isolation, extensive hours worked, toxic
work environments, lack of autonomy, difficult relationships among co-workers and harassment and lack
of opportunities or motivation to
advancement in one’s skill level. From the documented evidence, it is clear
that as far as work life is concerned it is extreme stress.
To achieve production targets, the tailors usually operate
machinery continuously at one specified place. The effects of long work- hour
and monotonous stressful work can be deleterious to both mental and physical health.
Tailors face many health related problems like Headache, vision
related problems, pain in joint, wheezing problems, tension, stomach ache/
ulcer, and anemia. Majority of the tailors face health problems because they
work continuously and take minimum breaks during work. Tailoring involves
monotonous, highly repetitive task which are performed in a sitting working posture
and need due concentration, obviously puts continuous strain and stress on selected
muscles and bones of the tailors.
The results suggested:
home based tailor get tired working for long hour in comparison to shop based tailors.
both types of tailors get hurt while cutting clothes.
home based tailors have no proper lighting at work place in comparison to shop based tailors.
home based tailors become very difficult sitting on a hard surface stool in comparison to shop based tailors.
(Job
Strain and Health Problems among Tailors Priya Dwivedi1, U.V. Kiran21Student,
Department of Human Development & Family Studies, School for Home Sciences,
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow-226025, India)
Another study conducted was conducted on Musculoskeletal Discomfort among Tailors,
Musculoskeletal
discomfort encompass a wide range of physical health problems involving
muscles, ligaments, tendons, joint, blood
vessels and nerves,
pain may occur
in any location
in the workplace,
through the lower back,
neck, shoulder, and
wrist are among
the most frequently
reported sites (World Health
Organization, 2003).The
musculoskeletal discomfort across
mainly due to
two reasons, i.e. the harmful working condition and
posture demands of the work place leading to musculoskeletal problems. The
musculoskeletal problem of a concern of the ergonomists. The risk of developing
musculoskeletal problems is mainly due to the inconvenient work posture.
From the findings of the study it can be concluded that the
tailors feel highly musculoskeletal that the tailors face severe musculoskeletal
pain during work. Majority of the tailors felt pain in neck, shoulders, thighs
and legs as they are exposed to high level of repetitive task and work pressure.
All these situation ultimately work pressure, and musculoskeletal pain/
discomfort in different body parts. It was concluded that majority of the tailors
reported high incidence of problem and to make their life more comfortable and happier,
the discomfort has to be reduced through
proper training, well designed stitching tools and government and non-government intervention.
(Musculoskeletal Discomfort among Tailors’’Priya Dwivedi * & U.V. Kiran.**Student* & Assistant professor**Department of Human Development & Family Studies, School for Home Sciences Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow-226025)
THENAR WEAKENING
The thenar eminence refers to the bulge that can be seen at the base of your thumb. It is made up of three muscles, they make thumbs opposable, make the thumb move away from the index finger and bending the thumb toward the index finger. These motions are very important for handling and manipulating items and objects.
With excessive use the scissors, the thenar muscles start weakening and they may begin to atrophy(shrink). If this continues then it will become difficult to grasp objects.
Now, talking about the new technology,
The reasons for buying new scissors asked during the interview were as follows:
- Blades of the scissors go blunt. This can happen if the scissors are used excessively or if other materials are cut for which the scissors is not made.
- Loosening of the screw, this happens if the scissors fall down.
Sharpeners exists we can give the sharp edge required for cutting fabric but they are not seen in the studios and also only few well know companies manufacture them. Which are very costly and users prefer buying new pairs of scissors.
Even the scissors handles, the rubber wears off with use.
The following are some advancements in the blade technology,
NEW BLADES CUT WITH ATOMIC SHARPNESS
"A new startup company, Nano-Sharp Inc., plans to use silicon wafers to make razor blades and surgical tools far more cheaply than current silicon or ceramic blades.The cutting edge of the blade is just a few atoms across, Islam, Nano-Sharp co-founder says. “They have atomic sharpness approaching that of a diamond blade that metal blades cannot exhibit.”The performance of these crystalline blades can be improved using technologies developed by the semiconductor industry over the last 50 years, Islam says."
"SUPER BLADE" THROUGH FRICTION FORGED TECHNOLOGY
WHAT IS A SUPER BLADE?
- STAYS SHARP LONGER: A blade that holds a “shaving sharp” edge significantly longer than any premium blade steels when comparing blades that have the same EXACT edge and overall profile geometry..
- HAS FINEST GRAIN STRUCTURE: Measured with Transmission Electron Microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) micrographs, Friction Forging® has been proven to create “nano sized” superfine grain structures. Finer grain structure equates to greater edge strength, toughness, and a longer lasting edge.
- DIFFERTIALLY HARDENED BLADE: A knife that has a fine-grained, hard, tough edge for long-lasting sharpness yet the remainder of the blade is softer and slightly “springy” and very tough is one of the trademarks of a superior blade.
- CORROSION AND RUST RESISTANT EDGE: A blade edge is subject to chemical as well as abrasion deformation (dulling). A stainless edge reduces or eliminates this problem. Friction Forging® creates a super stainless edge by increasing the Chromium content in the ferrite.
Interviews
Lata is a home based tailor. She is in her 40s and mother of two. Her boutique is on the first floor of her house. After finishing her house chores she goes upstairs and work. She has few workers which help her stitching and cleaning up the space.She mostly work in the daytime but if she has more orders she often work at night. I asked her few questions.
What time do you go to work?
I work after finishing my house chores. And sometimes at night. It depends on the no. of orders I have.
What types of clothes do you stitch?
I stitch dresses and blouses of women.
What type of scissors do you own?
I use a cheap china made tailoring scissors.
What type of fabrics do you cut with it?
Many times of fabric like cotton, satin, silk etc.
Do you face any problem while doing so?
I can't cut many layers at once, so I have to repeat the process till I'm done cutting.
For what other purpose do you use the scissors for?
After cutting the fabric, I take the scissors the the sewing machine to cut the threads while I'm stitching.
Where do you keep the scissors when you are done working?
I usually keep them on my sewing platform itself.
When do the customers come?
They come mostly in the afternoon.
Is there any reason for choosing these scissors?
Yes, they are the cheap ones. The reason I bought these was because I drop the scissors many times and the screw gets loosen. And the costlier ones are heavy and tend to leave marks on my fingers and thumb.
Do you feel any kind of pain while using these scissors?
While cutting multiple layers i face problem. Its difficult to cut. The fabric sometimes slides.
How long does the scissors last for you?
2 to 3 years. I have spare scissors.
What time do you have the most number of orders?
In summers, marriage season.
Do you feel any physical or mental stress then?
I am stressed to finish the orders. I work as much as I can, in the morning as well at night. I have severe back pain and hand muscles hurt a lot. My speed to cuts slow down as I cant put enough pressure on the handles.
Contextual Inquiry
Contextual inquiry is a form semi-structured interview where the researcher observes the user in their natural environment performing their tasks and simultaneously ask questions about what they are doing. This method helps in studying the context in which the product is being used.
Also, the researcher asks a set of questions to fill in the gaps of knowledge left during the interviews.
While interviewing, researcher often asks about the pain points which might not be enough to turn into actionable insights. users often miss out the small details in the interviews, something even they are unaware of doing. Why is the scissors hold in this way when you are getting up ? Why are you keeping the hand on the clothes?etc.
Important parts of Contextual Inquiry:
- Observing
- Inquiry
- Documenting
After the interview I wanted to know about how they worked so i went ahead with contextual inquiry. I observed two types of users. Shop based and home based.
I observed the surrounding in which the user was working
I also went to a tailor shop which was situated in a busy market. The placed was cramped up. There wasn't enough light. I talked to one of the tailor there. She was in her late 30s. The deadlines were tight. when customers came the place became very crowded. Over all the surrounding was stressing. Keeping the scissors on the table increased the chances of it falling down.
very little free space
As can be seen the conditions in which the shop based tailors works are poor. There are more constrains as compared to the home based tailor.
16 JUNE 2020
Observing the contact surface
The pain usually happens in the highlighted parts,
The pain usually happens in these parts.
This makes me question,
How can we decrease the pain?
Now that I have gathered data, it's time to make sense out of them. Some of the questions while doing this came,
What new information did I find out?
Did I prove or disprove the hypotheses?
What gaps of knowledge did the data fill?
Was I able to understand the users completely?
How was the system affecting the user and then the product itself?
What things do I need to keep in mind while making design solutions?
I start with Writing down the problems faced by the users, the PAIN POINTS,
- Repetitive use of scissors cause muscle pain.
- The scissors which are of good quality are heavy and cause swelling and the light ones don't last long.
- Left handed users face difficulty while using the scissors.
- The nut gets loosen up if the the scissors fall down.
- Need to buy new scissors as the sharpness decreases if used to cut different material.
5 Whys
Sometimes it is difficult to find the root cause, the information, the data is overwhelming and it leads to confusion.
Sakichi Toyoda, the Japanese industrialist, inventor, and founder of Toyota Industries, developed the 5 Whys technique in the 1930s. In this technique, when a problem appears you go and ask Why? five times to find the root cause. And then you also think about the counter measure. It's not a solution, it helps preventing the problem from happening again.
Previously I jotted down the pain points, here I try finding the root cause of the problems.
User persona
User persona are fictional characters representing the type of users who will be using the product and their behaviors, goals, needs and also the background information. This helps us answer the most fundamental question, who are we designing for? Knowing the expectations and concerns helps us empathize with the users.
What do I know about the user? Do I know enough to make a product which will fulfill the the requirements as well the wishes of the user?
Empathy mapping helped me shift my attention from the product to the user.
Now, after analyzing the data, it's time to zoom out look at the complete research.
Having a fresh and clear mind helps creating links among different patterns, users, emotions, etc.
Here's a look at what I have done till now,
19 JUNE 2020
Insight statement
There is so much information I found out during the research. But how to convert them into actionable insights? Insight statement is the answer. What I did first was found out the themes in the data. Things which were coming up again and again. Patterns which were emerged in one of the research methods. Any problem coming up again and again.
Then I wrote them down on sticky notes in the form of statements. Things I kept in mind while writing were making the statement(Insights checklist of Designkit):
1. Well informed.
2. More than observation.
3. Answers "so what" question.
4. Actionable.
Keywords
For the Ideation process, all the ideas should be encouraged no matter how crazy or out of this world they may sound. Writing keywords about different attributes of a products can really help in thinking more and it also sparks creativity. Finding solution is not the purpose of finding the keywords. It's about making new connections and links with the emotions, aesthetics, problems, etc. You never know what word will take you one step closer to a really great idea!
Wishing
Without thinking if it's possible or not, I ask questions based on the insight statement, from Technology meeting necessary needs to users getting satisfaction after using a product.
How might we make the product long lasting?
How might we make the product cut different materials without loosing the sharpness?
How might me make the product cut multiple layers of fabric efficiently?
How might we make the product comfortable in user's hand?
How might we make the product easy to use by larger no. of users ?
How might we make the product ambidextrous?
...
...
...
These are some of the questions which generate vivid ideas and spark creativity.
Below are some of my notes which I referred to before starting with the brainstorming.
Brainstorming
Firstly, I wrote down all the ideas that came to mind on the sticky notes.
Then I used to different sticky notes to differentiate the ideas..
Made a bundle of different ideas and started exploring the form...
So what I wanted to do in this concept was to make the scissors workable without lifting it...
In the above sketches the pushing action is performed by the four fingers, what if we keep the bottom constant and let the action be performed by the thumb and the surface closed to it?
So keeping the function constant I explored few form ideas,
1. Having three blades
2. Flexible handles
3. Removable blades
4. Removable handles
5. Shifting the blades
After carefully observing the scissors and how it performs it's action, the only way I could make this work for left handed users as well was to mirroring the blades.
Our hand is asymmetric so to close the blades even they are asymmetric, so just by exchanging the handles won't do.
Out of the above only the fifth's form facilitated the function.
So I went ahead.
1. Thumb resting
2. Palm resting
3. Simple form
There are many questions left unanswered after sketching and I hope sketch modelling will help me answer those and help me find the right concept.
Taking few steps back
After the discussion, I felt like I have missed a lot of important things while making the concepts. Semantics and Semiotics and what Don Norman described in his book, the fundamental principles of designs. So, I took some time and read a bit about them.
After reading and learning more about them, even though I was a bit clearer about the design attributes but I was also left with many questions.
I looked back at my design concept and carefully observed each component and also different characteristics I was going to give to the design.
I need the interface to be as simple as possible for the user. The handle should allow(afford) the hand to hold the scissors and the design should tell where to hold and how to hold. SO, I can say that the signifier is more important than the affordance as it communicates to the user how to interact with the product.
I also needed the design to evoke the emotions of being loyal and friendly.
Though the scissors has an extra feature of changing the blades of converting from left handed to right handed or vice versa, the design should tell the pattern to follow to do so. And that there is no new knowledge required to perform this task. Also since its a task which happens rarely (because according to the research tailors rarely share their scissors) the design of the screw can be made accordingly.
I also decided to make the blades broader to afford holding the scissors, according to the research, the scissors when moved are held by the blades, so that the pointy head does not harm anyone or anything.
Sketch Models
After making the first sketch model, I had a discussion with my friend.
What will make this product better than the others? And why the right handed users will prefer these scissors over the regular one?
So my answer was, this scissors not only addresses the issues faced by the left handed users but also the issues faced by the right handed, Normal scissors. The screw is one of the main component of this scissors.
But this made me question,
Is the screw worth it?
What if the screw gets lost?
Will the user be careful to keep the screw safe if they remove it?
Will they think this as an extra task which they don't feel like performing?
How will the user know which side the blade should be?
So I went back to paper to sketch out some concepts for the screw and nut.
So I started with the most basic one, in this one I was trying to show the blades which were removable.
One thing I observed during research was Tailors didn't share a scissors. It happened very rarely, so the task of changing the scissors from left handed to right handed or vice versa didn't require a design which involved removing the screw regularly.
SKETCH MODEL 2
Thinking more about the hand anatomy, I tried getting the design as natural to the hand as possible.
As you will see I haven't done any drastic changes to the design. The reason was, I felt that the trust is built easier if the user is familiar the interface.
Keeping the design in the normalcy field of the user, I made this second sketch model.
Giving subtle changes and having surprisingly huge improvements.
The objecting wasn't to make the product different but to make it better.
SKETCH MODEL 3
In this model, I tried further to make the movement more natural, keeping one handle the same and improvising with other handle. This will help reduce the muscle pain drastically.
SKETCH MODEL 4
Unfortunately this model didn't work as I expected it to. The handle's center of mass wasn't helping to balance it in the hand. The form constrained the function instead of facilitating it.
Advantages of sketch model 2
- There is more scope for movement of thumb
- The surface area in contact is more
Disadvantages of sketch model 2
- Uncomfortable compared to Sketch model 3
Advantages of sketch model 3
- More natural movement than Sketch model 2.
- less discomfort.
Disadvantages of sketch model 3
- surface in contact is less.
After jotting down the keys points I think I'll come up with an improvised design which consists consists of the advantages of the models and eliminates their disadvantages. I also need to think of a mechanism for the screw.
29 JUNE 2020
With the sketch models, I realized I still need to explore the components more to make it as simple and easy as possible.
One question was always at the back of my head,
Why do I need the screw?
How can I make it simpler?
How can I decrease the no. of components used?
How to make the mechanism easier?
So I started exploring more...
I also made sketch model to show the working,
This mechanism will answer most of the questions I asked earlier.
- The safety cover on the other side which have a signifier where to hold (the curves) and it will get locked once it is rightly placed a useful feedback for the user to them the task has been performed correctly.
- Additionally, it will tell the user which side scissors it is, by showing the initials of R(Right handed) and L (Left handed).
- Now, the users don't gave to worry about tightening the screw or removing, they just have get the sheers at an obtuse angle where the cavity matches the elevated part of the other blade remove it.
- The handles can be held while changing the blades.
Value addition
Incremental innovation
This design has evolved through incremental innovation by means of discovering the problem areas and modifying them.
HANDLES
ABS and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber
| Changes(Improvements) | Advantage(s) |
| Bent for the fingers | Easy grip and more surface area in contact which will reduce the pain |
| Symmetric | Easy to hold for both types of users |
| Made of two materials | One on the outer surface and one inner to give better grip |
| Decreasing the distance thumb handle and pivoting screw | Natural movement of the thumb, decreasing the thumb related problems drastically |
SCREW
Stainless steel
| Changes(Improvements) | Advantage(s) |
| Screw mechanism already locked | No need to remove it, easier for the users to change the blades and also decreases the no. of components thereby reducing the chances of losing the screw or nut |
| Safe cap | Made of material same as that of handle, the other elevated part won't hurt the user and help preventing fabrics or user's clothes getting stuck to it |
| Cap has magnetic circular disc inside | Lock the cap onto the pivoting screw, it also acts as a feedback. |
BLADE
Stainless steel
| Changes(Improvements) | Advantage(s) |
| Edge Sharped from both the sides | Cutting by both the edges |
| Tip curved | User won't get hurt |
| Angular cut on the blade | For cutting threads |
| Streamlined form | Easy to hold by the blades |
I've considered the 95th percentile for the design.
The two handles action is opposite in direction, the design lacked harmony. So, I explored the form of yin yang and tried incorporating the balance and harmony in the design.
6 JULY 2020
Final technical drawing
Isometric views:
Exploded views
Exploded view for the right handed user
Exploded view for the left handed user
Keeping the two blades at an angle of 90 degree
Modelling
I made a 3 D model for the concept, being a new learner in this, it was a challenge. I wan't able to make the handle as I needed, I'll update the blog as soon as I learn how to do it.
Angle at which the blades can be separated
Angle at which the blades can be separated
Cutting position
Joining mechanism
The following are some renders of the product,
Storyboard
How the product is changed from one user mode to other
So what's next?
This being an incremental design, the design can further evolve after testing. From the beginning the product design has been shaped and evolved in the process.
Product design is a never ending process, implementation many a times reveals gaps gap in design. Doing the design in repeating cycles leads to constant refining and improving of the product.
Resources
http://steensolutions.com/2016/03/what-is-product-evolution-and-why-its-important-to-companies/
http://thenonist.com/index.php/thenonist/permalink/from_the_history_of_scissors/
https://www.vampiretools.com/blog/short-history-scissors/
https://www.thoughtco.com/who-invented-scissors-4070946
https://multibriefs.com/briefs/cb-famore/famore_scissors_092614.html
https://www.classicsewingmagazine.com/50-years-of-the-worlds-best-scissor/
https://gizmodo.com/the-extraordinary-evolution-of-the-most-common-tool-sc-1617641302
https://lilaandjune.com/blogs/news/a-brief-history-of-pinking
https://yourstory.com/2017/10/product-evolution-cycle
https://prezi.com/qw2rzxy5ej7r/the-evolution-of-scissors/
https://steelkiwi.com/blog/why-design-research-important-successful-product/
https://steelkiwi.com/blog/why-design-research-important-successful-product/
https://www.cooper.com/journal/2008/05/design_research_why_you_need_i/
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