I always argue that good design shouldn’t be measured by how many people it’s benefitting, but rather by the nature of the problem posed to the people. Handicapped people and people with motor impairments make up just a small fraction of humanity, so products that help them overcome daily tasks are arguably and measurably better than products that help solve problems for the masses. The ‘Bulge Cutting Board’ is one such product, designed for people with limited hand mobility.
I’m sure you’ve never tried chopping vegetables with one hand, but there are a lot of people who have no other option. “People with motor impairments, such as the absence of a hand or their limited usability, are often dependent on aids that are more reminiscent of tools and are far from any aesthetics”, says Germany-based designer Jon Starck, who created the Bulge Cutting Board. Designed with a set of ‘hillocks’ that somewhat randomly cover the board’s surface, the Bulge Cutting Board enables single-handed chopping and cutting. The bulges help trap and stabilize food while you chop them, preventing them from rolling or shifting and enabling you to go through the experience with just one hand.
Designer: Jon Starck
“The elevations of different sizes and distances from each other allow fixing various foods for processing. They provide support when cutting, smearing and transporting”, says Starck.
Bulge is a rare example of a product that serves a smaller audience, but serves them well. The design isn’t ‘universal’, but caters to a universal need for a marginalized audience. Perfect for people with limited use of their hands, the Bulge Cutting Board gives them the control they need as they pursue an independent life! Pairs rather wonderfully with this ‘knife for the visually impaired‘!
