Conception

Using the checklist, the designer arrives at multiple concepts that can solve one/more of the problems that are the main focus. Slowly, via constant feedback system, multiple concepts, designs and ideas are grouped into clusters until one finally arrive at a final concept for the product which contains the solutions to all the problems that we originally intended to solve.

In our project, our prime focus is to solve the problem of getting oil burns on face while ensuring a comfortable-cooking environment as mentioned in the checklist.

IDEA 1 - To avoid oil burns

The most basic concept that solved the core( but not every)  of our problem - oil burns was to use sort of a shield that could stop the face. A polycarbonate shield can provide protection from oil and also has anti-fogging properties

Problem 1 : No way to stir the oil in utensil 

Improved concept: Providing pathways/cavities to allow ability to stir

Problem 2 : Shield blocks direct access to utensil, which causes uncomfortable feeling to the person cooking

Improved concept : 

Problem 3 : It still blocks direct and quick access to gas stove regulators which is very essential while cooking as we there maybe a need to shut everything down immediately during emergency. So this concept cannot be the final model as this parameter cannot be ignored and cannot be solved with this heat shield

The key takeaway from the concepts and their failures based on idea 1 is that we need a mechanism to provide protection to the face, while at the same time ensure the same freedom of movement of body, accessibility to accessories in the kitchen while cooking - which our elders have been accustomed and become habituated to over past 20 years - to keep them comfortable with use of the product

IDEA 2 : To provide a better/comfortable working environment.

While cooking, heat often gets unbearable, leading to intense sweating, and as a result leading to use of hands to wipe sweat from face and eyes - which may contain oil/chemicals that can potentially damage eyes or skin. Exhaust at the corner of a kitchen is not enough to save the person who is cooking from heat. Therefore, a plastic - chimney system just above utensil, and a vaccum cleaner/exhaust fan at the other end to create a low pressure region in ventilation pipe, this greatly facilitates most of the steam, heat, smoke to go straight up the ventilation pipe and hence out of kitchen rather than spreading in the entire place and increasing the temperature.

Problem 1 : Steam left in ventilation pipe will condense and water would keep dripping and trickling back down when cooking  is over.

Problem 2 : Carbon /ash would eventually stick to the walls of system, may even find its way to vacuum cleaner/exhaust fan motor and might damage it - there's a need to figure out how to maintain the cleanliness and ambiguity about the durability of the system

Now there are 2 key takeaways  from failure of this idea or concept : 

First is that we need to keep the product small, and as low maintenance as required (damage to vacuum cleaner or the exhaust fan is too much of a risk, and everyone may not have a vacuum cleaner at home)

Second is that the actual problem we are trying to workout is to ensure there isn't heat near the face of the person who is cooking, basically, the point we need to focus on is to ensure good air flow near the face of the person (rather than trying to control temperature of entire kitchen) to keep the working conditions reasonable for the user

IDEA 3 : Based on the key takeaways from first two ideas, we needed to come up with a concept which could combine the protective shield, and is easy to maintain,  provide ventilation near the face of person who is cooking, and also provide the freedom of movement of body, accessibility to kitchen accessories and does not hinder vision.

So, a head based-equipment that could provide face protection as well as ventilation could solve our issue. A small-standard portable hand fan is a good accessory for maintaining close range air flow. And the most basic thing to wear on head is a CAP So we tried and combined these two structures to arrive at our next concept : A cooling-protective cap aka The Fan Cap

So initially, we made the concepts with its subparts as : 

1) The cap structure which fits on the head - we need a strong lightweight material for this - plastic can be used

2) Polycarbonate sheet that is attached to the front extension of cap

3) Portable fan that is attached to the cap via adhesive such that the fan is directly inside the cavity at the top of cap structure.

For reference, an actual portable hand fan looks like this : 

Reference for image : https://www.amazon.in/Portable-Operated-Personal-Rechargeable-Handheld/dp/B085PWL9BT/ref=asc_df_B085PWL9BT/?tag=googleshopdes-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=396987388461&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13416753927733233870&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061682&hvtargid=pla-918320667541&psc=1&ext_vrnc=hi

So, now trying to combine the subparts into one design , we came up with the following concept : 

We were about to go ahead with this as our final design, but discussing this product in our friends circle, we found yet another problem - The Sizes! In our present concept, the cap structure is what is supposed to fit around the head of the user and is directly to be wore as a cap. However, The head sizes of different people can be very different, and the standard product will not be able to cater to it. 

We again discussed on how can we make this product standard and add an element that is customizable for head sizes whenever required.

To solve this, we introduced a head support system, which is again just basically strong plastic which fits around the head and is mechanically attached to the cap structure  via nut and bolts joint. Now this head support can easily be customized according to the special needs of a customer instead of changing the design and dimensions of the cap. This in turn, will help us in standardizing the cap for mass production and also add customizability to the product if required.

Finally, we arrived at the final concept considering all the suggestions, feedbacks and solving possible problems wherever possible or necessary :