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An inclusive utensil

spring 2021 | 4 months

Problem

People who are blind often struggle using traditional utensils, like food falling off before reaching their mouth.

Opportunity

A new, utensil targeted at those who are blind that better grasps the food without being big and bulky.

Inclusive design exploration

I moved forward with the utensils because there is an opportunity and it has a personal connection

A personal tie

My Aunt Joanne was legally blind, for years I watched her struggle to use traditional utensils, like not knowing if the food fell off the fork. She was extremely independent and didn’t want people to know how much she was struggling.

Utensils for the blind don’t need to be big and bulky

How might we design utensils that would assist people who are blind?

secure | angular | intuitive | movement | familiar but new

Food won’t fall off utensil

Easily grasp the food

Not medical looking

Breaking the cultural norm

Many of the concepts looked like regular utensils so to deviate from that a more tong like utensil was the chosen direction.

Does it pick up food?

Paper mockup takeaways

Flat Base | helped slide along plate and grip food better

Tines | were helpful for stabbing the food and give the familiarity of a fork
Size | large enough to not hit the food with your hand but small enough to have leverage

Handle angle and tine placement

The handle needed to be large enough to fit your thumb on one side and pointer and middle finger on the other. The tines placement was important so food wouldn’t fall out between them.

At the table

The utensil rests perfectly on the edge of the place, making it easy to find after setting it down

A cohesive set

The knife and spoon continue the angular aesthetic. The spoon is used sideways, reducing the bending of the wrist and the potential of spilling.

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