swiss design association

Para
Droits: Tabea Wschiansky, Zürcher Hochschule der Künste
Durée: 2023 - 2023

Para is a rain protector specially designed for people in wheelchairs. People in wheelchairs have great difficulty finding suitable and fashionable clothing that also meets the technical requirements. Especially with outdoor clothing and especially with rain protection, there is a great need for new, innovative solutions. So the jacket, comparable to conventional rain jackets, has to be cut shorter and generally have a better and more adjustable fit. Sleeves must not be too long and get in the way of bikes or get in the way, but must be long enough to cover everything. For safety it is important that the hood can be adjusted so that it rotates with the head. People in wheelchairs need more freedom of movement in the shoulder area, which the arm movement requires for locomotion, but there should not be too much textile that could interfere. A mesh insert was sewn into the back, which is covered by two straps. The elasticity of the mesh allows freedom of movement and the mesh provides additional breathability. The tabs serve as a design element and make it waterproof again. The closures of the jacket and leg protection have all been designed to be easy to use, even when mobility in the hands and fingers is reduced. Zippers have large tabs that can be operated with your thumb or your whole hand. The remaining fasteners are innovative magnetic fasteners from Fidlock or sewn-in magnets that are easy and intuitive to use. This project was developed as a bachelor diploma project in industrial design at the Zurich University of the Arts. ︎︎︎ National Winner, James Dyson Award, Switzerland, 2023 (https://www.jamesdysonaward.org/de-CH/2023/project/para-outerwear-without-boundaries/) ︎︎︎ Nominated for «global design graduate show» by Arts Thread and Gucci, ongoing, 2023 ︎︎︎ Honourable mention, «Förderpreis», Zurich University of the Arts, 2023 ︎︎︎ Nominated for «prototypes for humanity», ongoing, 2023 https://tabeawschiansky.com/Para