RESEARCH & FINDINGS
COMPETITOR PRODUCT RESEARCH
RADAR CHART
Overall it is evident that major companies such as Patagonia, Katin and Billabong do not offer products for individuals varying across spectrums of disabilities. There are no multi-functioning apparel, and products are directed towards individuals with no-disabilities. Even though those who identify with having a disability are 1 in 4 in the United States. When looking at the brands that target specific disabilities, it was clear that clothing was either directed towards kids or not trendy and fashionable. In general there is a lack of apparel for individuals who identify with having a disability, and companies that do target these individuals are mainly directed towards kids or are not trendy and stylish. Due to the fact that individuals who identify with having a disability are an extremely high number, there is a large market to be explored.
The radar chart provides deeper insight to each competitors apparel in relations to their comfort, cost, aesthetics, inclusive designs and material innovation. This helps provide an overall understanding of the pros and cons. As stated above major companies provide aesthetic, comfort, and material innovation more so then specified companies. However, these major companies have no inclusive designs. On the other hand, specified apparel companies analyzed (except victory adaptive collective) offer adaptive features, but lack all other areas. The design concept for this line is to create both aesthetic, trending, and materially innovative apparel - whilst including adaptive features that can just be another size on the rack. These garment in some instances can be multifunctional for individuals who do identify as have a disability, or also for those that don't.
CONSUMER NEEDS ANALYSIS
10-20 existing interviews were analyzed, interviewees encompassed a variety of disabilities, including a range blindness, diabetes, amputees, and neurological disabilities. Transcripts were analyzed using an FEA consumer needs worksheet whereby functional, expressive, and aesthetic needs were analyzed, and direct quotes were used to analyze these needs further. Some interviews provided further demographic information, others did not. This research then led to further insight to specifically apparel for individuals with diabetes, G-tube and PEG tube uses.
Findings showed that although individuals with diabetes, G-tube, and PEG tube do not have any mobility loss, there are many issues that are not known and recognized, which leads to lack of apparel options for these individuals.
In individuals with diabetes, injection points are of immense importance during emergency situations - these access points need to be located on fatty areas of the body for absorption (which is harder as diabetics tend to be skinnier), these access points also need to be rotated to reduce scar tissue from forming. When looking at surfing gear, the only options an individual has when needing to access these points, are to completely strip. Secondly, for individuals with diabetes, there are many more items to be carried on a day-to-day basis compared to a individual who does not have diabetes. These include injections, monitors, alcohol wipes etc. These items are as important as an individuals cell phones to ensure body functions are smooth. Especially when exercising these can be of immense significance to access. Thus, the design concept is to create a wet suit which encompasses elements to make individuals with diabetes have smoother surf days on the waves. Able to access everything they. need from the ocean without stripping and coming back to shore.
In individuals with G-tubes and PEG-tubes, just like diabetes, access to the tube is of immense importance. Monitoring body functions are also of immense importance to know when to provide nutritions, sugars, and hydration. These access points can often break, get jammed, and become infected. Thus, for individuals who want to ride the wave it is immensely important to have a secure means of storing and protecting this access point. Secondly, just like diabetics, it is important for individuals with G-tubes or PEG-tubes to have equipment needed to monitor, feed, and care for oneself. To access these points would require the complete stripping of the wet suit.
All research concluded that individuals do not feel that there are any options in the market for them, when there is, these items tend to lack aesthetic needs. Thus, the design concept is to create a full-body wet suit for individuals with diabetes that include access points to areas of injections, and pockets to store necessities. The second design concept is to create a spring wet suit for individuals who require G-tubes or PEG-tubes. This wet suit will include a safe storage for the tubes, as well as a waterproof access point. Pockets will be located on the wet suit to store necessities. The last design will be full body swimsuit with a wrap around skirt directed for individuals who required a G-tube or PEG-tube. The swimsuit will have a safe storage for the tubes, and a weldor/button access without needing to fuller strip. The skirt will help cover the individual when needing to access the tube, for comfort, protection and confidence.
All designs will be created following current trends, and fun graphics to make the individual feel confident on the waves and on the beach.
VALUE PROPOSITION DESIGN
The major requirements analyzed by individuals are lack of access points, lack of comfort, lack of trendy apparel for individuals with disabilities, and overall virtually having no inclusive surfing apparel in the market. The modifications to these garments are shown above in detail in the "products & services" box. Overall, all of the research problems will be taken into consideration to create a trendy and aesthetic line, specifically for individuals who have diabetes and use G-tubes or PEG-tubes. These garments will ensure individuals feel comfortable, cool, and maximize their abilities on the waves.
