Desirability in design for safety: Developing life jacket through creative problem solving method of TRIZ

Abstract

Drowning is one of the main causes of death worldwide and according to the recent statistics published by coast guards of the US, Canada, and UK, most of drowned people were not using a life jacket. The main reason to refuse wearing a lifejacket considered being undesirable design of current samples. This project intended to develop more desirable product and in order to achieve this goal, some of the main TRIZ tools were utilized in five phases of product development process. Moreover, in order to examine our hypothesis, different studies on behavioural factors associated with life jacket use were reviewed and this became clear which boaters avoid wearing life jackets due to its bulky, uncomfortable and restrictive design. The product appearance and usefulness also were questioned by some boaters, when they indicated life jacket is just suitable for weak swimmers. Final result of this project presented in form of a concept which grants user's needs in both normal and emergency situations and makes it beneficial in all phases of the product using process. This concept combines life jacket, shoulder bag, smartphones capabilities and survival kit in one product to improve product desirability, usability and also its appearance.