Terrain Dibber
Designed for gardeners with rheumatoid arthritis, this ergonomic garden dibber combines functionality with sustainability. Its ash wood head and biomaterial handle provide durability, while the multi-grip options ensure ease of use for individuals with limited hand mobility. Perfect for planting seeds and bulbs with precision, it’s a user-friendly tool crafted with natural materials and an intuitive design for accessibility and comfort.
01 Research
i. User Research
ii. Market Research
iii. Ergonomic Research
02 Twenty-Six Low-Fidelity Models
03 Medium-Fidelity Models
Utilizing extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam, clay, duct tape, and tin foil to model the most popular designs among guest critics.
04 User Testing & Feedback
User testing from hand models, one with rheumatoid arthritis who gave invaluable feedback about how pressure could be applied to different shapes of dibbers. We identified pain points in the wrist when the product forced an awkward angle, and that direct downward pressure with one or two hands was easiest.
05 Final Model Fabrication
Material Formation: Gathering sawdust and leaves to blend into a biomaterial with wood glue, water, paper pulp, and paper mache.
Dibber Head: Turn ash on the lathe, marking out a 1-inch depth guide
Dibber Handle: Hand form handle with tinfoil base, sanded when dried, and finishing oil as a sealant
Using natural, accessible materials to cater to at-home gardeners who care about their environmental footprint.
