Innovation Design Engineering (MA/MSc)
Finlay Duncan
I am a designer, maker and salt enthusiast from Edinburgh. Prior to joining the RCA I completed a BSc degree in chemistry, and I am fascinated by the process of bridging these two worlds. I am a strong advocate of interdisciplinary design and seek out projects that draw from many different perspectives.
Since starting IDE, my work has focused on sustainable materials and solutions, interaction design and human centred design. Along with three other IDE students, I co-founded SaltyCo, a startup looking to tackle water consumption in the textiles industry by creating materials from seawater-grown plants (see: saltyco.uk ).
SaltyCo Awards
'Creative and Consumer' Heat Winner and Finalist 'Mentors Award' Winner, 2020, Venture Catalyst Challenge
Semi-finalist, 2020, London Mayor’s Entrepreneur Environment Award (Ongoing)
Runner-Up ‘Design for Social Impact’, 2020, Core77
4th Place Community Award 2020, Green Concept Award
SaltyCo Exhibitions
Mars: Designing for the Red Planet Symposium, the Design
Museum, 2020
Architect at Work (Material Driven), Bilbao, 2020
Green Product Award Exhibition, IHM Munich, 2020 (Cancelled)
SaltyCo WIP Showcase, The Royal College of Art, 2020
SaltyCo WIP Showcase, Imperial College London, 2020
StaticType is a new typing system for users with physical disabilities. It allows people with conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy to type faster and with greater comfort.
Carrying out such a user-centred project during the COVID-19 lockdown brought a number of challenges. It is particularly difficult to develop a physical interaction without constant testing and feedback from users. To do so, I found new methods of working remotely to receive as much input as possible. By sharing photos and videos of my progress, it was possible to get users thinking about new ideas and offering feedback. With vulnerable individuals nearing the end of a third month in strict lockdown, the value of digital interaction was clearer than ever. People were eager to communicate with friends and family, whilst staying productive and fulfilled day-to-day. Motivated by this, I found users more than willing to discuss new concepts and for that I am very grateful.
Prior to StaticType, my work was mainly centred around environmental sustainability. I developed new materials, including a rigid foam from sawdust waste and freshwater-free textiles with SaltyCo (see above). I am also interested in designing for repair and longevity and created a system for easily diagnosing faults in consumer devices. StaticType allowed me to step away from this and practice new design processes, where the user is both the starting point and the focus throughout.
Physical demands of typing — Although it can be easy to forget, our digital lives rely entirely on physical devices and for users with impaired motor skills this presents a significant challenge. Access to technology and the internet is hugely valuable and yet there is often a feeling that they have been left behind. Typing is a particular pain point due the physical demands of using a keyboard. Without any impairments, frequent computer users can type 50- 100 words per minute. For users with severe motor impairments, this figure is more like 3-5 WPM and rarely above 10.
Device for single finger use — offers adaptability through different orientations of the device.
Device for whole hand control — a range of interchangeable adaptors are available to enable a comfortable fit for all hand types.
Keyboard layout — keyboard has been redesigned to offer fewer buttons that are better spaced and easier to reach. Letters are grouped to minimise ambiguity around the intended word.
I believe that by bringing in this element of adaptability and choice to digital devices, it is possible to fill the gap between the highly customised and the rigid form of our everyday electronics. For people with physical disabilities, this is the sort of flexibility needed for technology to become truly inclusive.
