2021 Award Winner!
Incia Khalid
Hello, I’m Incia, an emerging industrial designer and a perpetual student of design. I believe good design to be an advanced form of communication. Every aspect of our interactions with the social and physical environments are shaped by design, both implicit and explicit. Design is more than just beautiful form. It has the power to change our communities. And I remain committed to using design as a means to enact positive change.
The Four Essential Pillars for Design Excellence
The four essential pillars encompass human-centric design approach and the understanding of full-bodied, three dimensional physical interaction of user, product and environment. The projects generate innovative solutions using research-driven, evidence-based designs which focus on the user experience.
Enhancement of Human Lifestyle
Cocoon is an adaptive and sensory-friendly clothing option for children experiencing Autism Spectrum Disorder.
It is designed specifically for use in environments like airports, for the challenges one has to endure when traveling by air. The changes in routine, loud noises, and unpredictable crowds can present as triggers for the child, creating anxiety. In turn, Cocoon is designed to create a comfortable and safe experience for the child through the use of its design features, reducing their stress and helping them reconnect with the world around them.
Human-Interaction & User-Centric Design
Cocoon features a series of inflatable air pockets, strategically positioned to provide the same sensory stimulus on a child as a hug.
For children with sensory defensiveness, this provides relief, without evoking the sensitivities of social touch. The jacket also features opposing sensory pockets, lined with vibrotactile sensors, integrated into the fabric components, providing regulated haptic feedback to the palm and fingertips. This provides the child with a physical redirection to their self-stimulatory behavior. Cocoon also features a sound-reducing hood, designed to be adaptive in nature. Many children with a sensory processing disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder, do not like the sensation of fabric bunched around their neck. The adaptive hood allows the fabric to sit flat against the child’s back, allowing them to block out loud sounds and also create a visual block when needed and pulling back the adaptive hood when not in use.
Ergonomics & Human Factors Design
The inflatable air pockets contained within the jacket are designed to mimic the sensory stimulus of a hug.
They are positioned to provide the most comfort to the child. The placement of the sensory pockets is also designed to provide optimal sensory stimulation, with an easy opening and integration of vibrotactile actuators within. The adaptive features included in both the pants and sound-reducing hood are designed to allow the child to easily remove both garments and don them when needed.
Sustainability & Social Responsibility
Cocoon aims to center sustainability at the core of its design.
The garment utilizes a lyocell and organic cotton blend, a staple eco-friendly fabric known for its durability and longevity. It is breathable and lightweight, requiring no pesticides or fertilizers to mill and most importantly, it is biodegradable. It uses 100% GRS recycled polyester in the design of its inflatable air pockets. The handheld air pump is made from eco-friendly natural rubber.
Cocoon - Adaptive and Sensory Friendly Clothing For Children With ASD
Project Statement
Air travel has become a convenient and accessible mode of transportation in this day and age, shortening distances as well as one’s travel time. However, for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, air travel can actually be a high risk and anxiety-inducing experience. The changes in routine, the unpredictability of the process, large crowds, new noises, and sights can all create an uncomfortable experience for children with ASD, as well as their travel companions. Parents go through a great deal of preparation to ensure the child has a comfortable journey, minimizing their exposure to any potential triggers that may exist. These triggers present themselves at various stages of the journey, starting from home, through the airport, and all the way to the cabin of the aircraft. Because autism is a hidden disability, it is even more challenging for parents to navigate the stressful checkpoints and the unpredictability of their child’s behavior. Airports and airlines are beginning to gain a better understanding of the difficulties experienced by autistic families, but more can be done to “demystify” and minimize the potential for surprises. The goal of this thesis is to create a better air travel experience for a child with autism, ensuring their journey is comfortable beginning from home to destination.
Thesis Visual Presentation
Click the image to enlarge.
Thesis Summary Motion Presentation
An adaptive and sensory-friendly clothing option for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
3D Design Development & Modeling
CAD Modeling Video
A brief video to explain the CAD model, designed and created in CLO3D.
EXPLORE OTHER THESIS PROJECTS
Cameron Barber
Forge - Debris Recycling Station
Commercial, Industrial & Professional
Henry Boy
Vagaboard - Enhancing Micromobility
Mobility & Transportation
Kristie Bulbrook
F(lower) - Improving Gardening Experience for Arthritis
Recreation & Sports
Stephen Bykowy
HORIZON - Enhanced Sleeper Semi-Truck
Mobility & Transportation
Megan Cheung
PENTA - Inclusive Active Play
Recreation & Sports
Benjamin Chew
Salus - Physical & Mental Health Enhancing Smart Chair
Medical, Health & Safety
Logan Dohar
NURISH - Modular Foodbank Supply Vehicle
Mobility & Transportation
Luca Domenis
LIFELINE - Earthquake Search & Rescue Solution
Commercial, Industrial & Professional
Thomas Edmonds
Float - Arthritic Braces for Rehabilitation
Medical, Health & Safety
Timothy Entin
MONTARO - MSD Solution for Construction Equipment
Commercial, Industrial & Professional
Emilie Fung
MERA - Mobile Health Care Facilities for Post Flood Disasters
Medical, Health & Safety
Moriah Gonidis
pakk - Evolving the Camping Experience
Recreation & Sports
Casey Ho
Asa - Prosthetic Accessibility for Vietnam
Medical, Health & Safety
Incia Khalid
Cocoon - Adaptive and Sensory Friendly Clothing For Children With ASD
Medical, Health & Safety
Cristian Loria
ArootZ - Sustainable Tree Planting System
Commercial, Industrial & Professional
Juan Carlos Manago
DELFIN - Underwater Scooter for the Physically Challenged
Recreation & Sports
Mackenzie O'Mahony
Raptor - Enhancing Rural Winter Transportation
Mobility & Transportation
Philip Orellana
I.C.A. - Intelligent Compression Apparatus
Medical, Health & Safety
Robert Joshua (RJ) Piccioni
SERAPHYM - Sustainable EMS Vehicle for Harsh Winter Environments
Mobility & Transportation
Sinead Summerfield
Kensho - Alternative Life Departure
Medical, Health & Safety
Adriane Spence
Wāv - Modular Tank System for Water Scarcity
Commercial, Industrial & Professional
Bradley Staite
Neo Ink - Re-imagining the Tattoo Workstation
Commercial, Industrial & Professional