The final CRI visit underscored the creative process’s dynamic trajectory. Our ability to develop multiple prototypes at once led our team to seek dialogue on each element of our design, so we walked away with positive and constructive pieces from both attempts.
CRI illustrated the different technique rowers with grip complications use to account for their adaptability. This informed our vision for the project going forward by confirming the segment of the design that held the rower’s fingers and wrist in place. We will revert back to our first design presentation to incorporate the finger bands and hook grip. We will also keep the updated 3D piece, but ensure that this element is tailored to each oar. This requires specificity as to where the “cap” goes on the model, and where future teams might rivet the fabric. CRI also suggested that the length of the prototype be specified either directly above the wrist or about halfway down the forearm (as it stands, the piece is cutting off the rower’s full range of motion).
Finally, our group noted the unique element working with an active client brings to a design project. Though we trust the expertise of our guides at CRI, we suggest the next group works to test their prototypes with rowers who actually experience grip differences. We would hope to one day have a product that adapts to disabled rowers and those suffering from arthritis however, recognizing that those conditions affect different anatomies, we would love to see our products evaluated by a rower who does not have full grip mobility.
We look forward to completing final prototypes in the coming days and compiling a thorough report. Thank you!