Disaster selected: 1998 China Yangtze River flood
Emergency phase: Recovery, Relief
Design solution: Collapsable water pasteurization bucket
Cost: RMB 20
Rationale
Problem discovery
After floods, water is always contaminated by flood water. Water-borne disease always happened after flood, because the lack of fresh water. The 1998 Yangtze river flood happened in both urban and rural areas of China. The urban areas have much stronger construction and the water supply after disaster was quickly supported by government. However, for rural areas that affected by floods, weak houses were destroyed by floods and people were displaced to higher places. Water was in needs and the supply of bottle water was huge. The transportation of water is also difficult because roads were destroyed by floods too.
Design solution
My solution to this problem is to design a collapsable water pasteurization bucket for these poor people. The collapsable bucket can save places for transportation and increase the efficiency of transportation of relief supplies. The filtration method chosen was solar power water pasteurization, which is easy to operate and durable. Solar rate is high within latitude 15-35, where Yangtze river areas is located in. The principle of water pasteurization is simple and the bucket is reusable and durable. So solar pasteurization is suitable for this emergency situation.
The color chosen was green. The reason is that it can remind people of the shape of lotus leaf, which means peace and relief in Chines people's mind. Also, lotus leaf has the ability of holding water and the shape is beautiful, it is good for people after disaster to have this bucket, not only for its function of water pasteurization, but also for the aesthetic and the mind relief that mean to them.
For the culturally suitability, I also look into the way that people live in rural area lift water. Research found that they used to hold water on their shoulder, using a strong bamboo stick or by bamboo made basket. The reason is that they can hold more water and it is good for long way walking. So my design was to make the bucket lift on shoulder and culturally suitable for these people.
Material selected are environmental friendly and will not increase the burden of the areas. The support for the bucket is bamboo sheet, which can be locally produced.
Benefits
The benefit of this design is that it can solve the problem of fresh water scarcity after disaster. People can support themselves by using the bucket. It can be easily transported than bottle water, and it is sustainable. After people go back to their home, they can still use this bucket to filter water, because water facility in rural area is still in lack and people have to walk a long way to fetch water. The bucket can also help them improve their living standard and reduce the risk of water-borne disease.
Reflection
This project was challenging and reminds me of the responsibility to the society as being a designer. Disaster is inevitable but the power of human can overcome the disaster. Disaster happened in rural areas usually have larger impact on the people there. It is important for us to design things for these poor people and improve their living standard. I think the best design only come after entering into the life of these people, you will know what they really need in front of you, but not by pictures. If I can go to the disaster stricken areas and help them, I will learn more about the situation and give a better design.
I also learn from this project the importance of research. It is only after you have a good research of the situation then you can have a better understanding of what happened. A lack of research may result in low practicality of the products, which means that you did not solve the problem for these people. So if I can do this project again, I will do more research and refine my product to improve the practicality of my design.
In this project, I also find my weakness of communication skills, which i will focus on in my next project. Moreover, sketch model is important of testing the design and help a lot in refining the design. So I will make more effort in these and improve my design skills.
You've got a brilliant idea to inspired yourself from the nature (lotus leaf). And I can see you researched a lot on the materials and the assembling way. My little concerns are will the assembling take a long time and is it heavey to carry on the shoulder with filled water? Anyway, you've done a GOOD JOB!^^
ReplyDeleteI especially like how you've paid attention to the culture - the lotus leaves idea that reminds the Chinese of peace and relief. However, from your poster and model, the shape doesn't look like (and therefore, doesn't remind us of) lotus leaves, using only the colour is probably not enough.. I am also confused how you use this product. do you put water in first before assembling? And what is soybean wax? I think you should make the scenario clearer.
ReplyDeleteOverall though, I think its a good idea, just need to be better executed.
As Jenn mentioned,you really pay a lot attention to the culture and thinking how can make people accepted this product.It is really good.
ReplyDeleteI have a question about how these people can carry it?Seen from your board, it is not that comfortable for carrying it.You forget to say what the size of these bucket and if it is too heavy for them to carry if it is full.
Anyway,good job.
Hey Wawen,
ReplyDeleteThis is a really pragmatic response to the issue of clean water accessibility after floods. I like a number of elements in your design.
The cultural consideration of representing the lotus is a great idea. Designing the product to be flat-packed demonstrates real consideration for the delivery in these circumstances.
Finally, I really appreciate that the product has been designed to allow people to carry the water after pasturisation. This shows real thought about the scenario in which the product would be used.
I would like to have seen some more detail on the mechanism through which the water is pasturised. Maybe just a simple chart outlining the process for dummies like me!
Good work.
Hey Wawen,
ReplyDeleteAs Jennifer has noted, I especially like how you did a pretty indept research into the culture, which resulted in the lotus shape. The one thing I also appreciate is how you consider a way of how people can carry water while it's being pasteurized.
I think you could do better on the execution and how it can be shaped more similar to a lotus. Also, maybe you could show us clearer in how the filtration system works in your scenario board just to make us understand of how the pasteurization works.
Hi~
ReplyDeleteI think you've got a great idea, after the disaster it is very important for people to get the clean water.
I like the the lotus idea, which shows that you has been consider the culture in your design
Also your design has a multi-functions, which able the user to carry the water and clean the water at the same time, which is more convenience for the user to use the product.