Deepali Dholakia
Product Design
My design approach focuses around non-linear thinking - I find the process of solving problems constrained by multiple factors incredibly engaging as both understanding the boundaries of the issue and figuring out the loopholes are needed to allow innovation to occur.
Final year project
EASE – a vacuum attachment that facilitates easy cleaning of stairs for all
EASE
EASE is a concept designed around the principles of universal design to make vacuuming stairs accessible to more for longer – it requires no bending, stretching or wrist contortion and has modular components to create the ideal version of the product for all users.
EASE: Internal Curvature & Air Speed
The internal curvature of the design has been optimised to increase air speeds and reduce laminar flow.
Modular & Customisable
The vacuum connector (left) is interchangeable, allowing it to be used with any pre-existing vacuum cleaner. The handle tube extension (right) is able to be stacked, allowing the user's ideal vacuum handle length to be achieved.
Designed for Manufacture
Detailed analysis and reviews have been done to optimise the design of the product for manufacturing without sacrificing usability.
DOSE: Monthly Medication Dispenser
DOSE is a medication dispenser that can operate unassisted for a month with the aim of giving older users their independence back. The image above displays the product with the top part containing the alarm light removed to display the pill containment slots. This project was developed during the Live Week Project for Panasonic.
DOSE: Scenario of Use
By turning the more than the daily occurrence of remembering and taking medication into a once a month activity, the carer's daily workload is reduced. This workload is further reduced by the automatic alarm system – if a dose of medication is missed by 3 hours, emergency contacts are notified and safety plans can be enacted - meaning the carer can leave the user for periods of time.
ANANTA: The Discreetly Sustainable Sneaker
When researching the link between a consumer identifying as environmentally friendly and their spending habits, I found that though the former may be true in their private life, in public most would actively choose against sustainable brands due to the excessive branding and image – so Ananta was formed. Made from sustainable materials and created with ethical manufacturing practices, the website uses design for behaviour change strategies to educate and inform users, while selling them a sustainable shoe – that just doesn't look it.
Deepali Dholakia
Final year project
EASE – a vacuum attachment that facilitates easy cleaning of stairs for all
Awards
Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) - 2021
Arkwright Engineering Scholarship - 2016
Work Experience
My placement year was with SharkNinja as an intern on the Shark Advanced Development team. The placement allowed me to gain a broader understanding of the work taking place at the advanced development stage of the product development cycle while actively improving my ability to meaningfully contribute to the discussions and activities taking place. A project of note that I believe highlights the strengths and skills developed during this placement year involved working with team members to develop an aspect of a new vacuum concept. The project required being able to quickly grasp and apply fundamentals of new concepts in fields such as fluid mechanics and cyclonic vacuums, applying user-centred design and design for behaviour change methodology for new interaction points, and engaging in a rapid iterative design process as the project was in collaboration with offices in the US and China.