Quick Peel
Quick Peel
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How can the process of making mashed potatoes be improved?
A four person group project
How can the process of making mashed potatoes be improved?
A four person group project
Task and User Analysis
Task and User Analysis
View Full Analysis Here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1R01Nv2p-0XQTeGcY8Q5rgikfXCiiDj8MY0_vsw-jP88/edit?usp=sharing
Peeling
Peeling
Peeling is the most time consuming with prolonged exposure to the hazardous blade.
Cutting
Cutting
Cutting the potatoes requires the most dexterity, but isn't a necessary step.
Boiling
Boiling
Boiling has potential for harm through burns.
Peeling potatoes was identified as the most critical step to improve, given its time-consuming nature and high risk of injury.
Peeling potatoes was identified as the most critical step to improve, given its time-consuming nature and high risk of injury.
User Attributes
User Attributes
5th Percentile:
12 year old girl
139 cm
29 kg
7.34 cm hand size
New to cooking
95th Percentile:
Older man
190 cm
125 kg
9.76 cm hand size
Experienced chef
On the verge of age-related ailments
Tested Styles of Potato Peeler
Tested Styles of Potato Peeler
OXO
OXO
Blade is in line with handle
European
European
Blade is perpendicular to handle
"This one [OXO] feels safe."
Inexperienced Users
Inexperienced Users
Found OXO more intuitive without prior peeling experience
Depended on a knife as their mental model
Peeled away from their body, directing the
movement toward their pointer finger with OXOInitially unaware of the existence of an eye remover, but upon learning about it, expressed immediate interest, regardless of its effectiveness
“I like to hold this one [European style] better, but this one [OXO] seems sharper”
“I can get a better grip on it [European style]”
Users with Limited Dexterity
Users with Limited Dexterity
Found the OXO peeler to be oversized for their preference
Found the European style peeler to be too small for comfortable use
Opted to hold potatoes against the cutting board instead of using the other hand while peeling.
“It’s hard to grip, it’s too big in my hand”
“I’d rather use a paring knife”
Professional Users
Professional Users
Experienced a quicker peeling process
Concerned about the potential for self-injury
Faced issues with peels getting stuck in the blade
Unaware of the existence of the eye tool initially; upon learning about it, still preferred using their knife for cutting potatoes into pieces.
What if...
The blade were curved to better match the natural shape of a potato, improving contact and control.
Multiple grip sizes were offered to accommodate a wider range of hand sizes and preferences.
The eye-removal tool was eliminated entirely, as user feedback showed it was either unused, misunderstood due to poor signifiers, or intentionally bypassed in favor of a knife.
The curved blade was dismissed due to manufacturing complexity and minimal functional benefit.
Grip size was selected through process of elimination, identifying the most comfortable and universally suitable option.
The potato eyer was designed as a separate tool to reduce the risk of injury from using a knife and to encourage greater adoption of the feature
*sketches and storyboard completed by Isabella Pimentel
Quick Peel streamlines potato prep by making peeling and eye removal safer and more approachable, without the risk of blade-related injuries.
Quick Peel streamlines potato prep by making peeling and eye removal safer and more approachable, without the risk of blade-related injuries.
Validation testing confirmed that the new peeler design improved both effectiveness and user safety. Future recommendations include enlarging the eye remover to enhance ease of use.
Full HFE Report Here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12iDeGRUNdmdXGwpKtqC-NKiCZtkHgxGEfRClXSeCq98/edit?usp=sharing
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