{"id":2771,"date":"2024-05-17T11:59:11","date_gmt":"2024-05-17T18:59:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/wilsondesignloop\/?p=2771"},"modified":"2024-05-17T11:59:11","modified_gmt":"2024-05-17T18:59:11","slug":"product-design-students-capstone-project-wins-a-finalist-standing-in-design-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.kpu.ca\/wilsondesignloop\/2024\/05\/17\/product-design-students-capstone-project-wins-a-finalist-standing-in-design-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Product Design Student\u2019s Capstone Project Wins a Finalist Standing in Design Competition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Via KPU Newsroom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) student Emile Routley-Long has once again made a notable impression at the Simon Cox Student Design Competition<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His innovative Fetch Magnetic Pickup Tool for wheelchair users was shortlisted among the finalists in the assistive technology and design competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“A total of 24 teams submitted their projects, so I\u2019m happy I made it to the top six,” says Routley-Long, who graduated from the product design program in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“My project partner was a service dog owner who uses a power wheelchair and can\u2019t dress their service dog themselves.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before going out in public, a service dog should wear an identifying vest. Routley-Long explains that individuals who use wheelchairs often struggle to reach under their dog\u2019s belly to fasten a vest\u2019s rear clasp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Service dog owners who use wheelchairs often depend on others to dress their dogs, impacting their ability to leave their home whenever they choose to,” he says. “With a magnetic tool, the person can now dress the dog themselves, meaning they don’t have to rely on a family member or caregiver.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Emile
Emile Routley-Long showcases his innovative Fetch Magnetic Pickup Tool for wheelchair users during the 2024 Wilson School of Design graduation show. <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The reaching tool is equipped with a magnet at its end, enabling a user to securely fasten a service dog’s vest with a corresponding magnetic clasp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Routley-Long received a $2,000 Student Research and Innovation Grant<\/a> to work on his design. The funding is available for KPU students and allows them to gain research and innovation skills as part of their polytechnic university experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since vests for service dogs typically have plastic clasps, the tool is now compatible only with a specific design created by a local assistance dog school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“It works for the people I did the project with, so that’s the most important part. I hope that the magnetic clasp-based vest design will see greater adoption in the future.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It is the second time that Routley-Long has created a design solution for individuals using wheelchairs. In 2021, he debuted at the competition with an insulated blanket<\/a>, winning the Terry LeBlanc Innovation Award for third place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wilson School of Design at KPU offers a four-year Bachelor of Design, Product Design program<\/a> in which students learn to create innovative solutions by blending design, business and marketing courses. The program focuses on research, design thinking and hands-on prototyping to develop sustainable, ethical design solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n