As I was formerly in industrial design, product development and woodworking are two large interests and passions of mine. I also worked with those with physical impairments for many years meaning human interaction and user centered design have been something I take much interest in. This influenced and has been at the core of much of my work. My capstone is based around the disease duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) which affects strength and motor skills, while often being paired with autism. I aim to design and create a watch strap which is accommodating to the struggles of the disease which can be worn by anyone. This is so important as everyone, no matter the accommodation needed, should have the right to the simplest of accessories and be able to tell the time.
Initial Designs
When initially considering the form of the strap it was crucial to consider the comfortability and ergonomics of the strap as this was a design for everyone. This meant I had to consider smaller aspects such as the bending of the wrist and the feel that is created with every movement. This led me to decide that a thicker body would be the best option to ensure there is material cover on a large part of the wrist, while a thinner strap would not be overbearing and still have structural integrity.
Material Decision
When considering the materials I first was considering the likes of Nylon and Cotton for the underside of the strap which would be the contact point with the users skin. I quickly worked out these materials are prone to many issues such as sweating, breathability and of course weather resistance. This led me to leather which was the material I ended up committing to for the watch strap. This was much more breathable than the others as well as being durable and weather resistant.
Final Considerations
Whilst producing my final cuts it was important I made some small tweaks to ensure the centre of the strap could hold the apple watch fitting into the pouch. This considered the bend radius and also the allowance when moving one’s wrist. Upon connecting the magnets I had to ensure the material was thick enough to hold them in place while also being thin enough for the magnets to have a strong connection.
