From values...
Product design is always serving certain values. However, human well-being is an abstract goal for products and designs. To specify what part of human well-being we are enhancing, and to narrow down the values, careful consideration is needed.
To incorporate it, we have used the concept of capabilities, developed by Nussbaum and Sen.
Capabilities Approach
Capabilities are the opportunities or abilities one carries. Capabilities are the freedoms provided in order to attain their own well-being and meaning. Ten basic human capabilities, comparable to human rights, have been defined by Nussbaum. This provides a framework that translates well-being into measurable values.
The capabilities that our design focuses on improving are Life, Bodily health and Emotions. First, the life of the stakeholders is hindered by a lack of access to food, water and sanitation. The design betters the aspect water, which directly improves sanitation. Access to clean water inherently improves the stakeholder’s lifespan and quality of life. Secondly, the design provides clean water, significantly improving the bodily health capability. Not only because clean water is important for maintaining good health, but also for protection against COVID-19. Lastly, the design will decrease the stress that people in the favelas face, providing ore space for them to develop their emotions. When the population is less concerned and less uncertain on whether they will have drinking water on a given day, they have more time to enjoy life and focus on things that bring them fulfilment.
...to functions
from the values based on capabilities, we set up design requirements and functions. We took potability standards into consideration to ensure the water is clean and the soap will be able to kill the COVID-19 virus.Â
