In partnership with SFCS Architects and Warm Hearth Village. Teamed with Laura Gahagan, Ashley Greene, and Azaria Molina.

Solaheat Stove

HOW CAN WE DESIGN A KITCHEN RANGE THAT ENHANCES SAFETY FOR SENIORS IN THE KITCHEN?

The Scope: Prototyping in Figma, Design Research in Aging, User-Testing, User Interviews, Graphic Design

Our several visits to the Warm Hearth retirement community gave clear indicators that safety in the kitchen is important to seniors.

Most seniors did not cook as much as they used to, especially when compared to how much they used to for their children. Seniors can easily forget to turn off the stove/oven after use, or they won’t realize they accidentally turned it on.

Our final concept is a smart kitchen range with safety features like smart screens, sensors, and alerts to enhance kitchen safety for seniors. The design process includes 3D modeling, physical prototyping, and UI/UX design.

The UI/UX design for the touchscreen interface & alert display was my primary responsibility in the process.

Render by Ashley Greene

Sketching as a means of team communication

Once we knew that we needed to design a digital interface, we came together as a group to sketch out our ideas. Sketching was our way of communicating with one another to ideate faster and work efficiently to communicate ideas.

These were some of our first ideas that we got out paper and digitally, with highlighted sketches that informed our designs.

1st Prototype

After putting our heads together to come up with different ideas, it was time to go onto Figma to prototype the user interface of the touchscreen.

Simplicity is the best feature.

  • Greeting adds buffer period between turning stove on & cooking to prevent accidental use

  • Color contrast needs to be drastically changed for accessibility.

  • Move the time/date to the side to account for more burners.

2nd Prototype

The oven needs more attention.

During user testing, we found that users want to view all of the oven settings at once, and they wanted a timer feature. The timer feature acts as another safety precaution.

  • More real estate to the oven features & the timer.

  • Cooking feels dangerous to seniors. Four burners maximum feels most secure.

  • Each burner has the option to stay high for x amount of minutes.

  • This feature is similar to countertop induction stoves, but not intuitive for seniors.

  • Siren effect when time has gone over and heat is on for too long that it risks safety.

  • Siren creates an alarming effect, which prompts the user to act quick.

Final Prototypes

Touchscreen Interactions

With virtual reality interactions by Ashley Greene, the VR specialist on the team.

Overhead Display Interface

Now everyone can enjoy making something for their loved ones in the kitchen without fear. Thanks to Solaheat <3

The end. Special thanks to everyone who contributed to the success and joys of this project.

My team members: Laura Gahagan, Ashley Greene, and Azaria Molina

Our SFCS Mentor: David Prevette

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