The capstone project for my Design Minor class was to prototype a product and solution for people with spinal cord injuries. The worked with the University Hospital's TRAILS program. Though the initial ideas and designs were numerous, my partner and I eventually developed a prototype piece of adaptive outerwear.
The Final Prototype
The final prototype was a poncho style windbreaker. We designed a garment that was easy to slip in and out of with limited arm and hand mobility. The zipper and clasps were chosen to be usable with limited dexterity. We opted for ring-pull zippers, and used light strength magnets for the pocket closure. These design decisions made the garment easier to don and doth, and made the operation of zippers and the pouch pocket less clumsy or frustrating.
