DBA Inclusive Design Challenge 2009
‘Mo is the winner of the DBA Inclusive Design Challenge 2009. It is a lightweight, portable seating product with a pixellated support system that accommodates the user's micro movements, providing a health-positive solution to inadequate seating in any context.
Background
Matter investigated different sedentary scenarios - in the home, at work and when we are on the move and less able to control where we sit down for a rest or a break. In discussions on how people adapt to ill-suited seating, the cushion emerged as a product in need of some innovative and inclusive design help.
How it works
'Mo replaces the traditional synthetic foam or gel cushion padding with a moulded product consisting of a polymer spring configuration sandwiched between two identical mouldings of linked pixels.
This revolutionary new pixellated support system is designed as a matrix. Each pixel inherently conforms to the user's weight, adapting to their micro-movements and distributing their body mass evenly on the seat. Importantly it provides them with the ability to fidget - a crucial consideration for people who are seated for long periods in the same position and can develop pressure sores if they are unable to stand up.
In a care setting, the need for frequent cleaning and disinfection is paramount. With its open structure, 'Mo's non-porous moulded inner can be rinsed under the tap, soaked and disinfected. The removable cover is also breathable with a wide aperture and a corner tab that is pulled over and holds the inner in place. 'Mo's slim profile means that it fits easily into a bag, making it portable for use in any environment, particularly where the quality of the seating cannot be guaranteed such as in classrooms, sports arenas and open-air theatres.
User input
What the designer said:
'This was the first time I had been involved with the competition, it was a fantastic experience and a great opportunity to develop my understanding of the inclusive design process. By involving Herman Miller, we have illustrated how designers and the clients and brands they work with can use inclusive design as a tool to drive really successful and exciting new product development. Looking at a problem with a more inclusive perspective led to us developing design solutions that were much easier to use, easier to live with and desirable to a wider range of people.'
Chris Weston, Matter
What the judges said:
The judges praised this 'intelligent journey from start to finish'. They felt it was a thoroughly researched, compelling, single-minded, technically clever and genuinely inclusive solution with a great deal of potential that could encourage people to venture out. In the care home context, its ease of cleaning and disinfection would cut cleaning costs, reduce storage needs and help cut their carbon footprint. The team was praised for the multiplicity of scenarios of use they had opened up for the product - in the home, for children, nomadic workers and frequent travellers.
