2023
author
Paweł Mendera (PL)
title
Workspace design for Ola. Increasing independence in a child with SMA
degree
B.A. project
e-mail
school
Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków
supervisor
dr hab Czesława Frelich
The goal of the project was to design a play and learning station for a seven-year-old girl, Ola, who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The designer focused on the difficulties the girl has with accessing everyday objects. He had 11 meetings with Ola and observed her daily habits. The resulting concept is a set of objects that include a work surface, a backpack shelf with storage options, and a cabinet with adjustable shelves that move up and down with a counterbalance mechanism and allow Ola to access the objects placed there. The final design is meant to be simple and non-stigmatising.