Built a custom device that reduces cutting & serving time by 70% for a user with cerebral palsy
Assistive Technology
Product Design
3-D Modeling
User Testing
Overview
For an engineering design class, I served as a Human Factors Engineer on a five-person team tasked with creating an assistive baking device for Natalie Fierce, a YouTuber with cerebral palsy.

Through user research and iterative testing, we produced five prototypes over three months.

The final design reduced Natalie’s cake-cutting and serving time by 70%, enabling greater independence in the kitchen.
My Roles
Human Factors Engineer – Prototyping, User Journey Mapping, Product Design
Team
2 Human Factors Engineers
3 Mechanical Engineer‍
Timeline
Spring 2023
Project
Goal
_____
Design and create a custom device that allows Natalie
to cut and serve a piece of cake without assistance
Problem Defining
_____
Natalie faced challenges with traditional knives
due to her cognitive and physical limitations 
Misunderstanding in knife function
Difficulty visualizing slice size
Tricky to cut square pieces
Prototypes
_____
Developed multiple iterations with varying materials, testing for
functionality and making design adjustments based on user feedback 
Simple crafts materials
Play-Doh, Wood, ABS Plastic
Plastic Mold, ABS Plastic
Final Prototype
_____
Using insights from user testing, we opted for thick ABS
plastic due to its durability and easy CAD integration
Project Outcomes
_____
97.5%
Final Grade
12+
User Testers
70%
Task Reduction Time
Next Project
Nav bar line
Sketched,
Designed,
Built
© Wilson Skinner 2025