Project Brief Fall 2019
In partnership with Stanley Black&Decker and the University of Kansas I was tasked to conduct research and rapid product concept development involving the extreme work environment of Wildland Firefighting.
Design Strategy & Insights
In order to solve these problems, this product should offer honest and transparent protection against toxins, combat the "tough it out" culture that is threatening long term health, and consider the unique needs of woodland firefighters while promoting the values of from one of the many brands in the Stanley Black&Decker portfolio.
Opportunity Space
By creating a respirator that actively provides feedback on the dangers of toxic fumes, wildland firefighters can have an external feedback source letting them know when the need to have their mask on during consistently changing conditions. Additionally, the respirator could let users know when they have reached safety.
The Extreme Reality of Wildland Firefighting
Wildland firefighters often hike for miles into rough country for 16 hour shifts. Every tool they may need, they carry on them. They operate next to fires that stretch for miles. Conditions are extreme, consistently changing, dangerous, and physically demanding. On top of this, they are often put into harms way due to failure of their gear.
Wildland firefighters are at very high risk of health complications caused by inhalation of toxic smoke. Because of the consistently changing conditions of their jobs, many firefighters do not always wear a respirator when fighting fires. This is also contributed to by ideas of "tough it out" that often effect professionals in this field, often waiting until conditions are extremely severe before taking preventative measures. This puts them at risk of long term hazards like lung problems and cancers.
Design Strategy
In order to solve these problems, this product should offer honest and transparent protection against toxins, combat the "tough it out" culture that is threatening long term health, and consider the unique needs of woodland firefighters while promoting the values and design language of the DeWalt brand.
Rapid Prototyping
In order to test ideas, I made several low fidelity physical prototypes and rapid sketches. This allowed for quick adjustments and allowed for me to be able to communicate potential solutions with others including several members of the DeWalt design team.
