Measuring Up to the Challenge

Since our early days, Designworks have designed a variety of tools that demand accuracy. From an award-winning in-store foot gauge, to innovative medical diagnostics tools, we’ll take a look back at some of the products we’ve developed that are especially made in relation to the field of metrology and measurement.

Accuracy in measurement is foundational for reliability, quality, safety, scientific advancement, and compliance with standards and regulations. It ensures that the data obtained is meaningful, trustworthy, and serves its intended purpose in various applications and industries. Creating products designed to provide users with accurate measurements necessitates thorough development and testing. The goal is to ensure that the provided measurements are genuine and surpass the accuracy of the most efficient predecessor.

CLARKS IPAD FOOT GAUGE

When discussing the measuring tools developed by Designworks, an essential product to highlight is the Clarks iPad Foot Gauge which received a prestigious iF Design Award. This project aimed to answer the question of how digital technology could be utilised for foot measurements. At the time of development, the iPad was a relatively new technology, and its incorporation into a children's foot measuring device marked a significant advancement.

The app uses standardised measurements provided by clients, but the key to the product's accuracy lies in subsequent user testing. Adjustments based on these tests were crucial in ensuring the most precise measurements possible.

Still in use today, the Clarks iPad Foot Gauge not only accurately measures children’s feet, but also aims to enhance the in-store experience at Clarks' retail outlets where these devices are in use.

national physical laboratory

Often, in the early stage of a project our approach to incorporating measurement takes a more customary form, relying on standardised measurements as a foundation to begin. However for NPL's innovative breast cancer diagnostic system PiUCT, extensive anthropometric data encompassing measurements like user height, breast mass, chest height, and width, was indispensable for the team to craft a comfortable bed platform.. Leveraging this data allowed us to accommodate diverse body types and sizes, ensuring comfort during prolonged use while users undergo diagnosis.

The user interaction involves mounting the unit using typical height measurements, followed by repositioning to a prone stance, centring the breast on the diagnostic unit for analysis. Given the necessity to centre the breast during diagnosis, the bed must provide sufficient width to support larger users transitioning between scanning each breast, whilst maintaining the required comfort in that position. The PiUCT incorporates multiple design features ensuring ease and comfort for users of all types during extended use.

MIURA SYSTEMS

Designing handheld and compact products like the many payment terminals we’ve delivered for Miura Systems, requires careful consideration of standard hand and finger dimensions to ensure broad usability and comfort. Inclusivity, catering to individuals at the top and bottom percentiles, is crucial for accessibility.

For the Miura Systems' interface, key considerations include determining optimal button size and spacing, addressing ergonomic aspects for varied hand sizes, incorporating tactile feedback, conducting diverse user-testing, accommodating extreme percentiles, implementing visual and haptic feedback, and ensuring compliance with ergonomic and accessibility standards. This comprehensive approach aims to create products that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional, meeting the needs of a diverse user base.

INNOVO

Accurate sizing is crucial for the Innovo project, as the incorporation of technology in the garments requires meticulous adjustments for various sizes. Our engineers faced the challenge of individually refining each garment to accommodate specific body dimensions. To achieve this, we employed medical industry standard mannequins from Alvanon that replicate typical body shapes. The shorts contain pads designed to make contact with specific areas of the legs, and achieving precision requires a detailed process. We dress the mannequins in the shorts, identify the correct locations for the pads, and then digitally readjust their placement before printing, establishing connections for each one. This intricate process involves creating distinct artworks for each garment size, ensuring that the technology aligns accurately with the body for optimal functionality.

We’re sure you’ll agree, these projects highlight the crucial role of measurement and accuracy in creating reliable, safe, and effective products, across a range of different industries and applications. This approach applies to every design that we work on as we understand that thorough development, testing, and a commitment to precision contribute to the success and quality of the final designs.

If you think our team of engineers and designers can assist with bringing metrology to your development, why not reach out at the button below.