Portfolio

TIMELINE

Jan - May 2026

Team

Tatiana Sy

Dashiell Morgan

Eshanika Sreekanth Urs

skills

User Research

Product Design

3D Modeling

Prototyping

Mentors

Olivia Napoleon

Eva Ahmetaj

Maia Schlussel
Louise Manifredi

Daniel Harris

ENGN 0620: Design Brief

Providence Gardenworks Composter

Providence Gardenworks’ current composters are not animal-proof or user friendly and require a lot of modification.

problem

Create a mass-manufacturable, animal-proof, and accessible composter that can be given to customers straight from the box.

objective

client requirements

Animal-proof features at all points of access (lid, door, bottom grate).

Mid-height door to scoop out compost.

Holes for ventilation that don’t attract animals.

Easy to assembly and manufacture.

Because we were modifying an existing model we weren’t able to exercise as much creativity in the larger form of the compost bin.

notes

ideation

My teammates and I each created 3 user research journey maps which led to 3 preliminary sketches- adding notes for function and intended use.

User 1

User 2

User 3

Average adult, mid-30s, carrying kitchen scraps

Young adult, early 20s, fast instinct-driven

Wheelchair-bound user, methodical

Lid needs controlled tightening motion + designated slot so user doesn’t have to hold it.

Lid needs tightening feedback, not just placement. Door needs spill containment + mid-height relocation.

Bottom access = ergonomic failure at most heights. Mid-height door + containment lip required.

Tatiana Sy

Dashiell Morgan

Eshanika Urs

We focused on different lid mechanisms and were inspired by simplified Japanese lids.

prototyping round 1

We made one looks-like prototype while the rest focused on the lid

Client Feedback: He wanted to minimize the amount of parts needed to optimize manufacturing and environmental cost and reminded us that the door would also need a secure mechanism.

prototyping round 2

Note: Due to some misalignment, we were unable to make a finalized prototype

The worm grate was made through laser cutting

Client Feedback: A circular door would limit access, while the snap on door might lose structural integrity over time. The spikes also only need to be on the circumference of the worm grate. He also asked for handles and lowered air vents.

Portal door mechanism -->

ideation round 2

After feedback from Stewart and our Professors we focused on modeling the composter after Stewart’s existing model. We added spikes, a mid height door, and a domed lid with a handle.

Engineering- boiling water test

location: The garden outside Barus and Holley.

method: A pot of boiling water (100 C) was placed on a box within the composter to mimic the high levels of heat compost can reach.

type of test: Durability.

criteria for success: The lid remains easily to use, with no signs of cracks or melted/compromised components throughout the composter.

results: The composter stayed relatively the same, probably due to the large amounts of vents throughout the body.

**Notes: Due to our unfinished round 2 prototype, we conducted the engineering and user testing on the 3rd round prototype.

design- user testing

location: Brown Design Workshop, Prince Lab, 222A

method: 5 users were given unhindered access to the compost bin and asked to interact with it as if they were composting. They also did a pre and post survey.

type of test: Usability.