Co-Design methods and results

Diary 

One main problem was that he felt insecure when walking outside with his walker. He was ashamed, because other people might think he had a mental impairment instead of just a physical impairment. He wanted a walker that would be more modern and stylish so that he did not have to be insecure when walking outside.  

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The participant was asked to keep a diary, so that the group had a better understanding of his struggles during the day and mostly the problems he came across while using his walker. Unfortunately, the participant did not write down a lot, since he thought there was not anything important, he had to write down. Nonetheless, after having multiple conversations with him about his problems on an average day, it was found that he had some main problems with his walker.  

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The participant also indicated that he was practicing with using crutches instead of a walker with his physiotherapist. The last main problem was not being able to carry around the walker with his tricycle. Having conversations with the participant worked much better than giving him several tasks, like keeping a diary. Therefore, other methods were used to, which were meant to do together with the group and the co-designer. The conversations also resulted into the following design challenge: “A walker which incorporates crutches and is collapsible for transportation to tricycle and car.”  This design challenge was used for the next co-design method. 

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Designing together with the participant 

First, everyone made ideation by themselves. The designs were discussed, and three main concepts came out of it, all regarding a solution for the following challenge: “A walker which incorporates crutches and is collapsible for transportation to tricycle and car.” The three worked out concepts were brought to the next physical meeting with the participant and there the concepts were being discussed. During that meeting it was clear that the participant did not agree with the ideas and wanted a more specific problem to be solved. Earlier that week, he went to the physiotherapist to check the quality of his walker and the walker was approved except that the bottom of the walker needed to be 5 kilograms heavier.

For this reason, he wanted to keep his walker, but still required a solution for not being able to carry around the walker with his tricycle. The design challenge changed into the following: “Find a solution to attach the participants walker to his tricycle. Which enables him to move independently from A to B with the walker.”  The group sat down together and with the participant multiple solutions were given. The last method, acting out scenarios, played an important role for finally coming up with a solution for his problem. 

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Acting out scenarios 

One of the most successful co-designing methods used during the project was acting out scenarios. From the start it has been an effective way for the co-designer to communicate problems they would like to have addressed, which gives the rest of the team a clear goal with little room for misunderstanding. Because this method leaves little to the interpretation of each individual member, they can in turn propose follow-up questions and suggestions for possible solutions quickly and accurately.  

One such case was while discussing the possible places where the walker could be attached to the tricycle after the revision of the design challenge. With both objects present, it quickly became clear what the potential was of various solutions, such as attaching the walker as a wagon or hooking the walker around the basket.

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