Abstract
M.Tech. (Industrial Design)
This study investigated the user’s perspective with reference to the regular use of the
WonderbagTM retained-heat cooker in low-income communities in a South African context.
This research addresses the limitations of the literature available to support the investigation
of the design of a fabric retained-heat cooker from a user’s perspective. As with the
WonderbagTM retained-heat cooker, products aimed at underserved low-income
communities are often designed without the participation of the end-user. This research
focuses on the user’s experience of the fabric retained-heat cooker and seeks to include the user in the process of improving the design of these products.
Participatory action research and user-centred design were utilised as the chosen
methodologies for this study. The history of retained-heat cookers has been reflected upon when considering the use of insulation materials and alternative fabric improvements. Methods of manufacture, material cost and usage have been considered as critical elements of the design process as well as the skill level of the existing users. Participants indicated their personal interest in the design and development of the prototype retained-heat cooker. They were intensively involved in the design process from the focus group discussion where
their perceptions were elicited, right through to their testing of the final prototype. A final
workshop concluded the last of three workshops where participants provided individual
feedback in terms of their personal experiences of using the prototype retained-heat cooker. Participants were able to selectively customise their prototypes, which brought about a
sense of ownership and pride that was not evident in their use of previous retained-heat
cookers. Participants indicated personal interest in creating their own retained-heat cookers
from the experience that they acquired during the research process. As a result of this
experience, the participants believed that they could manufacture their own retained-heat
cookers to sell within their community, which could provide income for themselves and other
members of their community. The saving of energy in terms of the fuel required to complete the cooking process translated into a direct saving of money, which was highlighted as a recurring theme and identified benefit of retained-heat cooking. By encouraging the use of energy-efficient retained-heat cookers, low-income communities could directly benefit from spending less on fuel costs and more on other essentials.