Abstract
This study documents the design and development of a ceramic evaporative cooling storage
device that prolongs produce shelf-life. Through a lens of Appropriate Technology (AT), this
follows a Human-Centred Design (HCD) approach to ensure appropriate outcomes. Desktop
research was used to understand the post-harvest activities of small-scale urban farmers
regarding the processes involved in getting produce to the consumers after harvest. Semistructured
interviews and focus group discussions were used to engage with and gather insights
and feedback from small-scale urban farmers. The study examined ceramics as a material to
develop the cooling storage device considering the functional principles used in existing
ceramics evaporative cooling appliances such as Mitticool refrigerator, Zeer Pot and Pot with
Upper Chamber. The study explored existing devices to understand how evaporative cooling
storage devices function in prolonging the shelf-life of produce. The study identified issues
with locally available clay and its porosity. The material compositions were tested with massproducible
ceramic manufacturing methods. The exploration was to aid the development of the
device to determine the production method applicable for production. The device was tested in
a laboratory by the design researcher and in the field by participants. The testing of the device
in the laboratory was to know how the relative humidity (RH) and temperature attained were
favourable in prolonging the shelf-life of produce. It was also tested in the field by small-scale
farmers to store harvested produce. Positive feedback was received from small-scale urban
farmers, regarding its functionality in increasing harvested produce shelf-life and its usability.
The feedback as to usability received was used to further develop and refine the device to
specifications, including the size and other requirements. The further developed and refined
device was tested to determine its capacity regarding how much produce it can hold and its
functionality. The evaluation of the further developed device was satisfactory to small-scale
farmers, as the requirements incorporated into the design met their needs. Suggestions from
small-scale farmers to make changes to some features of the developed design were used to
propose how the device can be further developed and refined in the future. The application of
the HCD process enabled the design process to be effective as users were gainful engaged and
their need was appropriately addressed. As relevant to the field of design, the study has shown
that through the design process, the skills of a designer can be utilised to provide solutions that
meet users need, based on users opinion(s), and this, in turn, can result in the product being
manufactured. The study also showed how the manufacturing process of products can be
simplified using design skills. Thus, indicating that designers can contribute to the development
of production techniques, relevant for the manufacturing of a product.