Final year project
Designing a haircare solution for women experiencing hair loss due to menopause
The Clarity Haircare system
This is part of my IDMP project for a hair care product for women experiencing hair loss as a result of menopause. Menopause causes a natural reduction in a woman's level of oestrogen, which often leads to hair loss as oestrogen is responsible for a healthy hair cycle. The tool on the left is a salon based camera tool that can be used to take an image of a user's scalp. This image can then be compared, used using a programme such as Matlab, to a 'standard' healthy scalp. When combined with an immunoassay hormone test, a user's complete profile can be made. Estimating the level of hair loss in comparison with their depleted oestrogen levels.
This then means, from the user's hair profile, a customised shampoo can be created. With ingredients that will improve their hair loss symptoms and create a hair care product just for them; rather than the current generalised products.
The benefit of this system also means that, as it is based in a salon, users can return to use the tool and gain data on how the product has improved their hair since the last visit. Proving that the product is working for them.
The Clarity Salon tool
The salon tool comes in two parts; a lift away tool for the scalp analysis and the base it rests on.
Research
Ideation
Branding for Clarity
One of the most important aspects of this project to me was the portrayal of older women in the media. My research showed that there was a severe disconnect between how women saw themselves and how they were marketed products. With many brands selling items such as 'anti-aging'. I wanted the branding to be a modern take on classic shampoo packaging design.
The immunoassay hormone test strip
Eleanor Saunders
Final year project
Designing a haircare solution for women experiencing hair loss due to menopause
Awards
Silver starpack Award 2018
Work Experience
I had a year's experience in the research assisted innovative design team at Shark Ninja during my placement year. It gave me an opportunity to see into the world of design, which hadn't been possible while at university. I worked on many different projects across different teams, from front end research to near product development. Every day was different, which is what I learned to love about this placement year.
I learnt to thrive with projects that were short and very fast-paced, more so than even weekly design challenges, it made me focus on my key steps towards a viable product based on research within a few days to a week.
In addition, I became accustomed to working with an international team, from the USA to China with projects that had to be worked on simultaneously and learnt new skills from 3D printing to computational fluid dynamics; all whilst being an active member in Shark Ninjas inclusivity and diversity team.