Sprout 'n Grow
MS Thesis Project
Overview
During the final 20 weeks of my Master's degree in Engineering Design Innovation, I embarked on an individual project that focused on creating a solution for a real-world challenge. I chose to address the difficulties faced by aging individuals in maintaining their gardens safely and effectively as they experience mobility challenges.
My research and design work aimed to develop a practical solution that empowers older adults to continue enjoying gardening while minimizing the risks associated with physical limitations.
The Problem
Aging gardeners are often physically limited in the garden, creating a sense of fear and lack of safety, that demotivates them from gardening .
“ I don’t garden as much as I’d like, it’s just harder to get out there everyday.”
-Jill, 67
“I fell and hit my head trying to go down the steps into my garden one morning .”
-Diane, 68
Current Market
My research revealed that while there are many gardening tools designed for aging individuals, they often don’t meet the needs of traditional gardeners. These tools can be unfamiliar or require either too much effort or not enough.
Aging gardeners appreciate the effort involved in gardening, but finding the right balance is key—tools should be easy to use without taking away the sense of accomplishment gardening provides.
Research Insights
Through interviews with both casual and professional gardeners, along with secondary research, I identified two key insights into the problem space:
Aging individuals struggle to navigate to and around gardens, especially when they have to go down steps, rows, or paths.
When physical limitations start to interfere in the garden, it leads to a loss of self-esteem and frustration that demotivates them from gardening.
Design Requirements
Through extensive research and analysis of key insights, I determined that a product designed to meet the specific needs of traditional aging gardeners must:
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Minimize the risk of injury in the movement to and from the garden.
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Allow for an independent and traditional gardening experience.
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Limit the physical stress that comes with bending and kneeling.
The Solution
The Prototype
I leveraged CNC routing, 3D printing, resin printing, and wood machining to craft a functional and visually accurate prototype of my final design of Sprout 'N Grow.
The Final Presentation
On the day of my master's graduation, I had the privilege of presenting and defending my design proposal, Sprout 'N Grow, in front of professors, administrators, family, and friends.
