Understanding the problem

Disposability is rapidly replacing product longevity and repairability.  

Looking at current spatulas

Spatula is an umbrella term for a variety of tools that have distinct uses. If someone asked you to hand them a spatula, which one would you reach for?

Ideation

A generalized shape that can be used in a variety of ways would combine different spatula functions into a singular tool.

To be long-lasting, it must be comfortable, timeless, durable, and easy to clean.

testing human interaction

To better understand how people would interact with this type of tool, I made quick cardboard prototypes and asked classmates use them.

defining the shapes

The majority of them imagined scraping bowls with the curved edges and flipping with the squared edges. A set of two spatulas is necessary to best perform these two tasks.

A shorter handle provides more control while scraping and a longer handle provides more leverage while flipping.

Reflection

This project helped me understand use cases for different types of prototypes. Fast cardboard prototypes allowed me to explore many different shapes and receive feedback quickly.

In the end, creating high-fidelity prototypes that I can cook real food with allows me to demonstrate the project.