Product Design Challenge
In Northwestern's DSGN 308 (Product Design) class, my team was challenged to resolve a common inconvenience of cleaning reusable water bottles. Through user interviews and surveys, we concluded that existing brushes and tools struggle to reach all the crevices and effectively clean the bottle, leading to compromised cleanliness and frustration among users. My team aimed to address these challenges and create a solution that would make the cleaning process easy and efficient.
Design Process
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With the goal of optimizing the cleaning process, our tool aims to meet the following requirements:
Ease of use
Independence
Versatility
Confidence
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I conducted research on existing benchmarks and helped create early-stage mockups for a water bottle cleaner that would expand once inside the water bottle. After multiple stages of iteration, we decided to use an innovative method of a mechanical process to change the shape of the cleaner. My team and I were able to narrow down to our final prototype through:
User testing
Emotional and Functional Validation Surveys
Proper Materials Selection
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Functional Aspects:
Water-proof and dishwasher safe for effortless reusability
Fits inside most all water bottles
Can easily scrub all areas inside the bottle
Effectively removes even dried and stuck on substances, like smoothies and juices
Emotional/Cognitive:
Comfortable to use, with no hand fatigue
Confidence in cleaning the entire bottle
Satisfaction with removing unpleasant odors
Joy in the cleaning process from start to finish.
Ibrahima Bah
“To the optimist, the glass is half full. To the pessimist, the glass is half empty. To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.” — Unknown
(917) 609-9984
ibrahimabah2023@u.northwestern.edu