Saskia Brewster

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University of Nottingham > Engineering > Departments > Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering > PDM Exhibitions > 2024 > MEng students > Saskia Brewster

For my major project I set myself the task of designing a dishwasher that was more accessible.

Hello, my name is Saskia and I am from Southwest London. Throughout my university degree I have gained a deep passion for empathetic and user-centred design. I really enjoy trying to understand the user and ensure that their needs are met whilst producing a design which is manufacturable. I believe that this passion allows me to explore a large variety of ideas in the initial stage of the design process as well as critically access and test potential solutions. For my project I enjoyed used a range of testing methods to ensure that my final design would be suitable for users with limited dexterity. I used VR to test my concepts and a third-age suit to test my final design.

After university I hope to get a career in product design and/or human factors. I am currently looking for a graduate position.

Outside from design, I enjoy playing korfball (a Dutch mixed gender sport like basketball!) for university, going to the theatre and reading.

Thank you for taking the time to look at my work and do not hesitate to get in-touch.

Saskia Brewster, MEng Product Design and Manufacture

Elevate

For my major project I set myself the task of designing a dishwasher that was more accessible. Dishwashers were originally designed to improve people’s lives through saving both time and money, however as our population ages regular dishwashers are becoming increasingly difficult to use.

Through completing an empathy study and observational research using a third-age suit, I gained a deeper understanding of the issues of current dishwasher designs which I could then translate into a more specific brief. Dishwashers currently on the market require bending to load dishes, access the filter and reach the salt compartment. Furthermore, high levels of dexterity are required to use the detergent and rinse aid dispenser compartments, with a good understanding of different symbols are required for the user to understand what program setting they are picking.

Using extensive ideation, concept development, and initial testing, the idea of Elevate was created, a dishwasher with racks that rise vertically up through the worktop. With a place setting capacity of 10 and the ability to be installed in most kitchens with any worktop material, Elevate is a modern and stylish accessible kitchen appliance.

The product comprises of two lifting systems, which work simultaneously to lift the two racks and pivot the top door/worktop. Each system uses a 22KW IP69 stepper motor connected to a lead screw and nut made from acetal resin. A hard food disposer, which grinds up waste has been used to eliminate the need for regular filter cleaning, whilst a removable basket still allows the user to collect larger pieces of food or fallen crockery. The design includes a large, angled interface with simple buttons and a digital screen whilst the salt chute can be accessed from the top, allowing salt to be refilled effortlessly.