Compact Garden Wheelbarrow Design

University of Wisconsin - Madison: ME 549 Product Design Course

Main Skills Used:

Human Centered Design

Sketching (2D Perspective )

Convergent & Divergent Design Thinking

Rapid Prototyping

Project Background

This semester-long collaborative design project focused on learning and applying the human-centered design framework. The objective was to create a garden wheelbarrow for composting, tailored to a hypothetical client with a strong brand identity and potential interest in this niche market. Miracle-Gro was chosen as the hypothetical client, given the company’s recent expansion into the compost bin market (note: this project is not officially affiliated with Scotts Miracle-Gro).

The composting wheelbarrow was designed to be compatible with the tumbler-style compost bin shown on the right. One of the primary design challenges identified during brainstorming was the limited ground clearance and access below the bin, which could influence loading options.

Following preliminary market research, user needs were assessed through an online survey distributed to local affinity groups. Additionally, in-person interviews with potential users helped identify pain points in their current composting methods.

This research lead to the target user being identified as an environmentally conscious beginner looking for an easy and space-efficient way to start composting. They may have limited outdoor space, such as a small backyard or patio, and need a compact, user-friendly solution. This product must be designed to be accessible to users of all ages, including those who may have limited physical strength or mobility, ensuring that composting is an accessible experience for all.

Design Criteria

With this user in mind, the following design goals were selected and evaluated with an additional affinity group survey:

Low Cost
Lightweight
Maneuverable
Easily Stored

The survey confirmed that these design criteria resonated with potential users and revealed that, aside from cost, ease of storage was a key purchasing factor.

These design criteria were refined into functional requirements, and an initial group brainstorming session explored potential solutions.

Through divergent and convergent thinking, these functions from the problem definition were combined into five initial concepts:

Initial Concepts

Collapsi-Barrel
Fold and Roll
Pack-A-Barrel
The Transformer
The All-In-One Composting System

Each function was evaluated by the original interviewees using an importance vs. satisfaction matrix to determine which design elements to prioritize.

Using this data, divergent thinking was applied to refine the design, breaking down successful and unsuccessful functions into three new concepts that incorporated the best elements of each.

Final Concept Evaluation

A new Lift-and-Roll design incorporated the best features from the Collapsi-Barrel, Pack-A-Barrel, and Fold and Roll—specifically, the collapsing basket, telescoping handle, and folding wheels.

This design was evaluated by the local affinity group alongside the Transformer and the All-In-One System. Participants used a poker chip sort method, distributing 10 chips among the designs as they saw fit. The results showed that the Lift and Roll was the most successful design.

Final Design and Prototyping

The Fold and Roll

Rapid prototyping with the following materials:

1) Lawn Mower Wheels

2) Collapsible Laundry Basket

3) Repurposed Shoe Rack

4) Scrap plywood

This design was voted most likely to succeed in the market by the class.

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