Industrial - Bachelors
The ‘Kiwi” pasta strainer sits inside a pot, making it safer and easier to drain pasta without lifting a pot of hot water to the sink. While ideal for anyone cooking pasta, it was specifically designed to address the challenges faced by individuals with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), for whom this task can be physically challenging and dangerous.
To identify the design opportunity, I looked into daily autonomy of people with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). This is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system where blood pools in the lower half of the body, causing symptoms such as lightheadedness and fatigue. POTS has a high correlation with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) which means many people with POTS experience decreased dexterity. POTS has been linked to long Covid, making this a highly relevant issue post-pandemic. It is estimated that between 0.2-1% of Australia’s population suffer from POTS.
Through research methods of observations and interviews, a pain point was uncovered that formed the basis for this project. For someone with POTS/EDS, the task of carrying a pot of boiling water to the sink to drain pasta through a colander was both awkward and potentially dangerous.
‘Kiwi’ is my design of a pasta strainer that you can use inside your existing pot. Made from a heat resistant nylon 66, it sits inside a pot while the pasta cooks. The ergonomic handle facilitates easy removal of this strainer from the pot, with a mechanical locking mechanism that engages when the two halves of the strainer are pressed together.
Ideation mostly comprised of sketching to understand the mechanisms and FDM 3D printing for rapid prototyping. I thought it was important to test the usability of this product in its intended environment, as water and the weight of the pasta influences the functionality. I was able to understand the context of use in depth with this workflow.
‘Kiwi’ is entirely injection molded from 9 unique pieces from with only two springs purchased off the shelf. At 20,000 units, I’ve estimated the part cost to be $13.50, meaning this product could retail for around $40. The plastic parts assemble with snap hooks, and ‘poke-yoke’ features ensure correct assembly, every time.
A critical requirement for this project was it had to be able to withstand heat from hot water. As a pasta strainer that sits inside a pot, its normal use case would involve exceeding temperatures of 100 degrees Celsius. The material selection of Nylon 66 is directly influenced by this requirement, and can be used up to 180 degrees Celsius for short periods of exposure. There is potential to use a glass-filled nylon for higher temperature resistance should this be a problem.
Colours, Materials and Finishes (CMF) play a pivotal role in determining the aesthetic and user appeal of market goods. Bright colours can evoke feelings of toylike playfulness, and more subdued colours can feel more adult or sophisticated. Kiwi is a design full of movement and excitement, with a unique locking mechanism and interesting radial symmetry. I chose bright colours for this pasta strainer, to stand out against existing kitchen appliances and add an element of fun cohesive with the design language of the form. On the contrary, I chose a matte finish and a rough plastic texture, Mold Tech 11530, for the surface finish. While bright colours encourage this design to stand out, I worried that paired with a glossy finish, this design could look too toylike.
Covey is an industrial designer who leverages his experience in modelmaking and fabrication to create well-resolved design solutions. A hands-on learner, Covey designs with a focus on positive societal impact and enriched user-product interactions. Industrial Design is the intersection of Covey's interests, allowing him to blend creativity with practical skill.