O-Mask Fitter
2020
A 2-week personal project responds to the COVID-19 outbreak
In the COVID, how can we protect ourselves and others?
This is a two-week project that responds to COVID-19. The project began in February 2020, just two months after the first case was reported. At the time, there was little information available about the virus, and attitudes toward COVID and mask use varied. But I decided to use my research and design skills to make some contributions.
Research:
How does the COVID-19 virus be transmitted?
After taking to people and checking online, I listed COVID-transmitting media and ranked them from high risk to low risk by using data from the CDC, WHO, and other governmental agencies. Also, I leverage mind maps and phrases that are widely discussed on Twitter and other social media platforms. I then distilled the findings and organized them into groups of topics. I discovered that the direction of this project is to minimize the risks from outside before getting home. It became clear to me that the goal of this effort is to lessen the risks of the outside environment before people get home.
User Study:
One-day experiment to learn about hand action and framing design focal points
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One-day experiment to learn about hand action and framing design focal points
Aha Moment:
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Initial Problems:
1. After people sanitize their hands, the unclean body of the disinfectant spray can transmit viruses.
2. COVID mobile health apps cannot tell users if they have been in high-risk areas or contacted high-risk items.
3. Viruses can stay on a smooth surface for several days. Frequently-used mobile phones can easily become the biggest source of infection.
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1. After people sanitize their hands, the unclean body of the disinfectant spray can transmit viruses.
2. COVID mobile health apps cannot tell users if they have been in high-risk areas or contacted high-risk items.
3. Viruses can stay on a smooth surface for several days. Frequently-used mobile phones can easily become the biggest source of infection.
Dive Deep:
I distilled the findings and categorized them into topics. I also used the JTBD (job-to-be-done) model to gain a deeper understanding of the motivations behind people's choices in virus prevention strategies.
My research revealed that the virus was primarily transmitted by aerosol and that dirty hands were used to contact the nose, mouth, and eyes. SoI narrowed it down to three directions that would protect the nose and mouth and keep dirty hands from touching the eyes and nose.
I distilled the findings and categorized them into topics. I also used the JTBD (job-to-be-done) model to gain a deeper understanding of the motivations behind people's choices in virus prevention strategies.
My research revealed that the virus was primarily transmitted by aerosol and that dirty hands were used to contact the nose, mouth, and eyes. SoI narrowed it down to three directions that would protect the nose and mouth and keep dirty hands from touching the eyes and nose.
Framing Solutions:
Framing Solutions:
Based on the leanings from the research, I tried out different design ideas with sketches and rapid prototyping.
Design Goals:
︎Hand sanitization requires only one action.
︎Conveniently close
︎Increase awareness before dirty hands touch the nose, mouth, or eyes.
In the end, I determined that a mask fitter is the best option for addressing the three critical areas of virus transmission (mouth, nose, and eyes). The mask fitter can make a better seal with standard masks (N95 was difficult to get at the time and uncomfortable to wear) and provide an extra layer to prevent unclean hands from reaching the mouth and nose. In addition, I included an inexpensive infrared sensor that can give vibrations if the hand is too close to the face.
In order to make a mask fitter that can be mass-produced at a low cost, I looked into the design of existing masks and rasperators. For the final design, I decided to use a frame made of injection-molded plastic and an extra foam pad to relieve pressure around the mouth.
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