Ping Pong Paddle

A ping pong paddle is a pretty standard item, but that doesn’t mean it works well for everyone. In this project, I designed a ping pong paddle that is easier for people with disabilities that affect grip strength to use.

Iteration Process

When I started this project, I wasn’t sure what kind of disability the person I would be designing for would have, so I worked on a variety of ideas. I tried out

different kinds of straps and handles, meant to help people who needed help holding onto the paddle, or people who needed help with reaching far enough to hit the ball. As I tested the paddles with friends, I took their feedback and refined my ideas.

User Testing

This is Erin. She’s a mom, she’s athletic, and she loves the outdoors! She also has Scleroderma, a condition that causes the hardening/tightening of the skin. This condition has effected Erin’s grip, because the tightened skin can make it hard for her to close her hand all the way. Erin helped me test my paddle prototypes, and gave me feedback on what features I added could help someone who has trouble griping a ping pong paddle use the paddle.

Wrist Strap

This strap wasn’t super helpful. It could catch the paddle if it’s dropped, but doesn’t help during game play. Erin said she liked how light the paddle was, but the reason the paddle was so light was mostly because the materials I used for prototyping.

Elastic Strap

This one also worked well for Erin. It was comfortable, and helped the paddle stay on her hand, even if she let go.

Foam Handle

Erin liked this one! She said the grip was helpful because how wide it is.

Double Sided

This paddle was meant to make it so that no griping was needed at all, but it turned out to be a little unnecessary. Erin said this one could be more user friendly.

Final Prototype

By testing with Erin, I learned that the foam handle and elastic strap were the best features to help with comfort and grip, so I combined them into one final paddle design.