Daisies: Interview with Paul, Dustin (Carpenter)

Meeting Agenda

For our meeting, we planned to start by introducing ourselves and getting to know Paul a bit, like how long he has been doing carpentry and what kinds of projects he usually works on. We wanted to explain that our goal was simply to learn about real problems in his work so we could eventually figure out something useful to solve, not to jump into building a prototype or anything polished. After that, we planned to walk through questions about his daily routine, the tools he uses most, what tasks slow him down, and what parts of the job are frustrating or awkward. We also hoped to hear about any solutions he has tried before and what his ideal tool or improvement might look like. At the end, we planned to ask him to show us a common task or explain how he usually moves around his workspace so we could observe how he works in a natural way.

Summary & Takeaways

Once we started talking, the meeting shifted in a really natural way. Instead of going question by question, it turned into a regular conversation where ideas just formed on their own. This actually helped us get a much clearer picture of what happens in their workday. The carpenters first started mentioning ideas and problems that could only be solved mechanically, which we could not do, such as creating lighter doors, etc. Our team had to show them past project videos so they could understand the scope of the solution that we can offer them. 

After that, the biggest thing that came up was organization. Both Dustin and Paul mentioned that they often end up misplacing tools or leaving screws/tools behind. Their tool cart fills up fast, and things get buried or forgotten. Sometimes they do not realize something is missing until they have already left the room or the building. They talked about moments where they had to go all the way back just to grab one tool they accidentally left. Since the conversation flowed so easily, the five of us started coming up with ideas together. We noted things down, talked about what would actually help them, and slowly, a shared idea formed. The idea we landed on was a customized tray that keeps track of their tools and screws. It would have spots shaped for their tools, lights that show whether everything is in the right place, and a screw compartment that lets them know when they are running low. We talked through how sensors or lights might fit in, how a simple button could reset it, and how this could make their daily routine less stressful. This idea came directly from their experiences, not from us guessing on our own.

These pictures showcase their cart and screws they carry

Paul’s demonstration of using the tools from the cart/ tool and screw boxes

Features of the cart, as the project that we will be creating, are going to be attached