Charles Fish
User Centred Design
My biggest passion in life is problem solving. User involvement is the foundation of every successful design, and my degree has channelled this approach into all aspects of the design process.
Final year project
4th Man Protection- The Design and Innovation of Genital Protection Within Cricket
4th Man Protection- Final Year Design Project
My final year has been focused on the innovation of male genital protection in cricket. Getting hit in the genitals can affect your playing performance and can cause serious short and long term problems. With formats like T20 on the rise, batters are taking more risks to score more runs. Cricket protection for the penis is outdated, and providing an ergonomic and highly protective solution was long overdue.
4th Man Protection helps shield athletes against dangers and gives them more freedom to play their shots. The specially designed shape and material selection divert forces away from the genitals and onto the hips. The research was split up into 3 main sectors: psychological performance, impact testing and physical performance which combine to make the perfect product. Improved ergonomics and extensive user research resulted in a double-layered system which maximises comfort and functionality, without compromising aesthetics.
Evolution of Prototypes - Physical Performance
Starting with card models and ending with a full appearance prototype shows the depth of user research which has gone into developing the size and shape. All things from the weight to strap orientation were tested to develop the most comfortable solution for a batter.
Impact Testing at the Loughborough Institute of Technology
Using the English Cricket Board (ECB) facilities at Loughborough, I tested different materials on the drop tower to see which was the most effective. Different sizes and shapes were also tested to see which design transferred the most energy to the hip bones.
Exploded View of Protective Layers - Psychological Protection
The exposed layers show the combination of materials used in my final design. Each layer has a specific job which helps absorb force, reduce deformation and spread the load evenly. The final aesthetic was designed based on user feedback which takes inspiration from tortoise shells and the Avengers. If the user feels safer in the products they are wearing, they are more likely to play with more freedom and perform better.
Product in Context
This shows my product amongst other cricket protection. The design blends in with the traditional tastes of the game but it still stands out with its unique shell. It is a product that would be a stylish addition to any kit bag.
Surge - Design Week
Surge is an electric muscle stimulation (EMS) device which stops muscle deterioration and speeds up recovery for athletes with broken bones. The thin arm can slip down anycast and exercise muscles without voluntary movement. The EMS increases blood flow to the muscles, and increases mineral absorption, to help players get back on the pitch sooner.
Rotating Playtable - Placement
The main project on my placement was for a young client in a wheelchair who had poor use of his arms and legs. This spinning play table clipped onto his chair and rotated to bring his toys round to him. It was handmade from wood and finished with WWE graphics.
Charles Fish
Final year project
4th Man Protection- The Design and Innovation of Genital Protection Within Cricket
Awards
'22 Diploma in Professional Studies
Work Experience
'20-'21 DEMAND - Junior Designer
While on my student placement at DEMAND Design and Manufacture for Disability I worked with many disabled people to identify areas of their lives which required more independence. After the consultations, I designed and manufactured products which provided them with more freedom, which has changed their day to day lives for the better. One of these products gained social media traction attaining over 2.3 million likes due to its effective functionality. On top of this, it gave me real-world experience dealing with other professionals and management to develop my business skills.
'19 Rutherford - University Hall Chairman
I was the Chairman for Rutherford Hall at Loughborough University. My leadership skills enabled me to organise a committee of 19 people. Key communication skills were needed to ensure the success of the year’s events and to help over 350 freshers enjoy their first experiences of Uni life.
'22 Design School - Degree Show Social Media Team
Promoting this year's degree show and helping everyone bring their ideas to life on the design school's social media accounts.