Create a blog post for Week #2 with your sketch of a chair from the top view, front view and side view. Also sketch one cross section of some portion of the same chair. Compose these four sketches on one sheet. Label the views. All sketches must comply with the guidelines from the first module on visual expression (i.e., clear dark lines with the sketch filling the frame).

Interview at least five different individuals who you believe share the gap you are addressing for your course project. These interviews should be done in person, preferably in the person’s “use environment.”

Using the methods from the videos on user needs, identify the user needs.

My Gap
In what way might we better design our kitchen eating area to make it more comfortable and usable.

User Needs

The space needs to be comfortable.
The kids like the space enough to hang out there even when it's not dinner time.
The sitting area needs soft cushions.
There is enough room so that we aren't squeezed in too tight.
There must be enough room so that when we have friends over we can still fit.
The space must be comfortable enough to hang out in even if it's not dinner time.
There are lots of soft pillows.
There is enough space to stretch out.
There should be a bench under the window long enough to stretch out and watch videos.


The space needs to function well.
The space needs to have enough seating for 8 but still not take up too much room.
The space needs to be spacious enough for us all to fit but not too spacious that we feel like we are way far away from each other.

The table is made of a material that's durable, cheap, and easy to clean.
The materials for the table and bench need to be inexpensive and readily available.
The design works aesthetically with the rest of the kitchen and our house.
The bench and table is easy to get in and out of without too much trouble.
The built in storage is easy to access.
The built in storage holds contents in an organized way.
The seating allows for kids to get in and out easily.
The seating area does not take up a large footprint in the kitchen.
There is adequate room to walk between the table and the refrigerator without feeling cramped.
There is a place to tuck away books and bags and other things as we clear the table for dinner.
The table can be moved around easily.
There is a place to store and charge phones.
!  There is a place to store commonly played games.
!  There should be a place for kids to plug in laptops and electronics as they like to use them at the table.
The space should be adequate for doing homework.
The seating keeps Will from rocking back in his chair.
The seating doesn't block the view out the window.
The finished product falls in line with our values of reuse and repurpose if possible.
!  It would be cool if the seating was modular so we could make the seating area bigger and smaller as needed.
The table should be sturdy but light.
The table is on wheels.
The furniture is light enough that it won't damage the cork floors.


*needs with an ! are latent needs. These are needs that weren't addressed in my data gathering but I know from experience that they'll really increase the users satisfaction with the space.


Reflection on data gathering.
I wish I had more time to gather data. I have been talking with Rita quite a bit about the project and she's given me quite a lot of information. The kids all expressed some opinions about what they want and don't. They all want the bench under the window to stay. I'll have to consider a bench in the final design. A couple of them said the bench under the window was a must have for them. We were also able to gather some great information from our blog readers who offered their own insights on kitchen eating areas and what has worked and not worked for them. There were quite a few really good ideas that came from that. You can see the feedback in the comments on the post here.

The Assignment:

Beginning with the challenge you addressed for yourself last week, refine the definition of the design problem using the five-whys methodology. Some definitions of the problem should be more specific and some more general than the one you addressed last week for yourself.

Please note that it is acceptable if your gap changes quite a bit from what you addressed last week. Indeed, it is even possible you will address some gap totally unrelated to what you did last week. While in an ideal world, your gap for this week would relate to what you did last week, it is easy to imagine situations where you might want to shift directions.


Articulate a hierarchy of problems, identifying with an asterisk (*) the statement you think would best serve as your course project. Please adopt the format "In what way might I <fill-in-with-statement>?"

For instance:
In what way might I...
improve mortality outcomes in the hospital
reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired infection
prevent the spread of microbes among patients
*increase hand washing among healthcare providers
make access to soap and water convenient
locate hand washing stations near patients

Please include at least five different problem statements in your hierarchy.

My Original Gap:
Our dining table in the kitchen is the wrong size and shape. It's not comfortable and we don't fit around it well. The space isn't particularly welcoming or comfortable. This is a problem because our kitchen table is the only place in the house where the whole family regularly gathers. It's the heart of the home. I think that if I was able to make the space more comfortable, inviting, and functional I can improve our interactions in that space and make family time more enjoyable for everyone.

Short Version:
How can I improve the function and comfort of our kitchen eating area?

My Assignment Submission:

In what way might I

• improve the comfort of our kitchen eating area *
  (why do you want to do that?)
  
• to increase the time that we spend eating dinner
  (why do you want to do that?)
• increase the enjoyment of the time we spend together
  (why do you want to do that?)
• increase family bonding
  (why do you want to do that?)
• increase family harmony and bonding
  (why do you want to do that?)

In what way might I

• improve the comfort of our kitchen eating area *
  (how might I do that?)
• by making the seating more comfortable
  (how might I do that?)
• By increasing the size of the seating area and the softness of the seat.
  (how might I do that?)
• By building a bench I could increase the seating area without increasing the footprint of the seating area much.
  (how might I do that?)
• I could build a bench by using common accessible materials such as plywood and salvage wood along with tools I already own such as my table saw and radial arm saw.