Idrees Rasouli

How do we conceive, design and implement successful new products and services in resource-constrained contexts, and which combination of resource-constrained innovation terminologies embody the perfect ingredients to design masterfully for multi-context use?

Conventional concept of innovation involves substantial financial investments, resource usage and existence of supporting institutions.

21st century innovator, both individuals and corporations, in emerging and developed economies that lack such resources and institutions demand the concept of innovation to be modified accordingly.

Extant literature on this subject, however, stands divided, fuzzy and fragmented, with no clear theoretical or practical framework that explains the concept of resource-constrained innovation.

Thus, the focus of this practice-based research project is on understanding how innovation can be pursued with the existence of such constraints, and describes four possible design journeys: How do we design and innovate new products in resource-constrained environments? How do we design to advance resource-constrained societies? How do we design to protect critical resources? And, how do we design to embrace resource limitations?

Through critical reflection on the Idrees' own design practice, and the initiation of new collaborative design projects, this research project develops and tests the concept of designing and innovating new products for the unknown. The concept is explored as a form of approach and framework for new product development in the emerging and developed markets. Idrees’ own design practice is situated and analysed in the context of how these innovations exactly can be achieved.

Drawing on theories of strategic innovation, hybrid innovation, and in particular NASA’s Faster, Better, Cheaper innovation framework developed in the 1990s for the space industry, this research project sets out a framework for systematically analysing the different types of innovations in this domain and conceptualising the design distinctions between them. Collaboration across different industries is established as a key mode of thinking and innovating, bringing to light the effects of difference in design outcomes.

This research aims to develop a design decisions toolkit for conceiving, designing and implementing new products and services in resource-constrained contexts. Therefore, the value of this research is exceptional for individuals and corporations who are trying to innovate successfully in resource-constrained contexts — both, in emerging and developed countries.

Today, washing clothes by hand is a major obstacle in the life of 2.5 billion people worldwide — almost a third of the world’s population — and 29 million in a country like Afghanistan alone.

To address this global need, 'Qaf' — an innovative washing system — helps wash clothes in a better and more efficient way, by eliminating the individual’s dependency on physical labour such as hitting, scrubbing and excessively washing by hand, in Afghanistan and other developing countries. It is designed to be a desirable household product, which would give the user exclusivity, ownership and empowerment.

'Qaf' will bring the user and the washing process together through affordability, efficiency, sustainability and cultural and local practices, making hand washing clothes a meaningful and relevant endeavour by providing reliability and flexibility of use in uncertain conditions, such as lack of resources.

'Qaf '— a transportable washing system — washes clothes three times quicker through a 65 per cent reduction in labour and a 60 per cent  increase in efficiency compared to washing by hand. It uses kinetic force with a rolling mechanism to wash clothes outdoors on-the-go or stationary at home, and helps reduce the current water wastage of 10 litres per wash to just 3 litres. Through decreasing the amount of time dedicated to washing clothes, 'Qaf' will enable users to invest their time in other more productive and agreeable undertakings. It will further benefit users through reduced contact with detergents and water, ultimately having a beneficial effect on their physical and mental well-being.