Product & Industrial Design
Designing for function, empathy, and experience.
At hopelo take the initiative of making People with Disability (PwD) feel more involved and respected in all terms of life. The hopelo team feels that it is our responsibility to make life easier for PwD. We here have developed solutions that focus on the major hardship faced by mobility impaired people such as living with dignity and also reduces problems faced in other domains of life.
We aim to develop experiential products for improving the life of specially abled people & make them be part of the society
Design Thinking Process
Research is the foundation of the design thinking process. It helps designers deeply understand users, their environment, and the real problems that need solving. Instead of assuming, research ensures every design decision is grounded in real insights.
Challenges
Major hurdles faced from present situation
The rear-positioned footrest makes the caster wheels act as a fulcrum, creating instability during transfers. The unsupported seating posture further increases pressure points and stiffness, causing user discomfort.
A wheelchair user’s lower line of sight (approx. 3ft 9in) forces them to navigate spaces designed for taller individuals. The outward wrist bend during wheeling also increases strain and wrist pain over longer distances.
Manual wheelchairs can only handle level differences up to 50mm, making larger gaps or uneven surfaces difficult to cross. Additionally, carrying and accessing personal belongings remains unsafe and inconvenient.
Real Life Scenario
INTRODUCING HOPELO, the product that undersatands & serves to the needs of the People with Disability (PwD)
Our approach is holistic & products are innovative creating an elevated consumer experience
Solutions
Making of the Product
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User Testing
HOPELO USP is that it serves the PwD in a holistic sense, providing solutions
India’s First Indigenous Rifle Shooting Shoe
K2Arma
I had the opportunity to be part of the design team for K2Arma, the first Made-in-India rifle shooting shoe developed specifically for competitive shooters. The goal was to create a performance-driven shoe that supports the unique bio-mechanical needs of rifle athletes.
Research & Insights
We conducted research with Indian rifle shooters—including national-level athletes—to understand their challenges. The study focused on the three core shooting positions: standing, prone, and kneeling.
These insights helped define the design direction: stability, rigidity, comfort, and precise posture control.
Key Insights Included :
Existing rifle shoes were extremely hard and uncomfortable, yet shooters had to wear them for long duration.
While shooting, the entire body pressure transfers to the feet, demanding strong shock absorption and foot stability.
Any micro-movement in the foot can shift the aim, so a shoe must lock the foot in place while still reducing fatigue.
Ideation & Concept Development
My Design Concepts
Upper structure designed to firmly cradle the foot without discomfort
Rigid sole geometry for controlled stance
Enhanced shock-absorbing layers to reduce impact and fatigue
DESIGN A
DESIGN B
The design was shown by professional shooters, leading to further refinements in foot support, stiffness balance, and overall comfort.
The shooters reviewed all concepts and shared detailed feedback,
after which we selected the final two designs for further development.
Team Design
These are a few of the design concepts developed by me and my team as part of creating the K2Arma rifle shooting shoes.
We explored multiple ideas based on athlete insights and shooting bio-mechanics, shaping designs that improved stability, comfort, and performance.
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Proudly designed by G.Narsimha Swamy