The challenge for this prototype was to create an all in one pet grooming tool "for the ultimate, pampered pet experience" that fit with the OXO brand. The requirements and features I was given to include in my design were:
A brush component that allows for all-over fur brushing
A comb for fine-grained de-matting and/or flea removal.
A rotary tool that allows your pet's nails/claws to be filed. This should be able to be turned on and off and choose from 3 speeds.
A component that allows for a vibrating massage of your pet, you must be able to turn on and off and choose from 3 speeds.
A digital display allows you to choose and play 5 different soothing sounds to calm your pet while you groom her (ocean waves, rainfall, birds chirping, dogs howling, or cat purring). You can also choose to include an optional 6th sound of a can opener to attract your pet to come to you for initial grooming.
The device must be between 1 and 2 lbs. and used in either your right or left hand.
The device must be shorter than 8 inches long in the longest dimension.
The components of the device can be modular if needed - for example, you could remove the massager tool to add on the brush, comb, or nail filer.
Other features as desired, as long as the size and weight constraints are met (e.g., treat dispenser, aromatherapy, etc.)
sourced from the HCDE 451 assignment description
My Design:
My all-in-one pet grooming tool includes all of the required features by implementing a sliding tool selector.
Comb: for more basic features such as the comb, simply sliding the selector towards the label with have the tool emerge from the device and be ready to use.
File: the file is selected and emerges from the device in the same way that the comb does but sliding the selector to file also turns on the touch screen on the side of the device to allow the user to turn on the electric file to one of three speeds.
Massage: when the selector is slid to the massage tool, the touch screen gives the users the options to turn the massage feature on to one of three speeds. The massage stays on until either the massage off button is pushed or the device itself is turned off. This allows the massage to be used while brushing or combing a pet.
Soothing Sounds: sliding the selector to sounds gives the user a touch screen page with the options of five different sounds that they can play while grooming their pet. After sliding the selector away from the sound option the sounds continue to play until either the sound off button is pushed or the device itself is turned off. This allows the soothing sounds to be used while brushing or combing a pet.
Brush: the brush is accessed by removing the cover from the bottom of the device to reveal the bristles. The cover is there to protect a user's hand from the bristles when brushing or filing their pet.
When the selector is not in a position that the touch screen is necessary for selecting a speed or sound type the screen is off, both to preserve the battery and to prevent buttons from being accidentally pressed while holding the device for actions such as brushing or combing. Additionally, this device has a power button and charging port on one of the short sides of the tool.
Prototyping Process:
For this design I created two iterations of my prototype. After finishing the first version I got some quick feedback from a pet owner who would be a prime user for this type of product. Using their feedback I iterated on my design and created a refined prototype, which I then brought to class for further feedback through peer review.
The First Iteration
My first version of the all-in-one pet grooming device was a much cruder prototype. The selector only allowed you to change between the comb and the file and the brush did not have a cover. The buttons on the bottom of the device allowed a user to click through the different speeds and sounds for the different tools. Additionally the prototype itself was messier and not as realistic to test the functionality of the concept.
User Feedback:
I gave my first prototype to a pet owner and asked her to try out the functionality on her cat. This video is a short clip of her quickly going through the different functions after we had down most of the testing.
Watching her use the device and listening to her feedback led me to add a cover to the brush to increase user comfort and rethink the button selection that I had first implemented.
Modifications for the Final Prototype:
Based on both the feedback I received from testing the device and my own observations of the functionality I made a number of changes between the two prototypes.
Additional options for the selector: I changed the sound and the massage options from being click through buttons to being choices you can select on the selector. This integrated the tools into a single easy selection menu.
Removing buttons: because I changed the massage and sound to be chosen with the selector, the buttons no longer seemed important to keep as an interfacing option. Removing the buttons simplified the interactions the user has with the device and eliminates the need to click through different speeds and sounds, allowing a user to get right to the settings they want.
Adding touch screen: with removing the buttons there needed to be a way to make the speed or sound selection for tools. A touch screen allowed the buttons to change or vanish with each tool being used.
Additional realistic details: for the final prototype I added several small details the first version was lacking that made the device more realistic. I added weight to the tool to get a better idea of how it would feel during use. I also added a power button and a charging port because those are essential to the function of the device.
Peer Critique:
The feedback that I received from my classmates was overall very positive. They loved the compact and simple design and commented on how the design was very creative and easily learn-able. They also liked the construction of the prototype and the details and materials I used in building it. They also gave me feedback that I would definitely incorporate into future iterations of the design. For example one of my peers recommended that I have the selector lock so that there is not a problem with accidentally switching tools. Another also recommended that I make the selector have a lower profile so the device fits more comfortably in one's hand.
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