Proctor Silex Easy
Slice Electric Knife
#I
Chris Yen, Fahim Miah, Vince Kihaa
User-Centered Design
From the Safety and Care Manual:
The blades have a protective plastic sleeve.
User-Centered Design (cont.)
The handle is ergonomically shaped and colored to both distinguish it from the blades and blend
it with other household cooking appliances.
The triggers are positioned in the natural position for the fingers and are shaped to indicate
pulling.
First Use
Downward force was still necessary to complete cuts.
The handle was heavier compared to normal knives, making the weight balance different.
The cord and shape of the handle are inconvenient.
First Use (cont.)
Shape of blade holding tabs make them harder to remove than insert.
No feedback for blade removal.
Not sure how to store when finished.
Observation (Knowledge Elicitation)
● Do we have permission to record and question your use of our device?
○ Yes.
● What is your name?
○ Anne Hu.
● How often do you use knives for cooking?
○ 3-4 times a day when I’m at home.
● Do you ever struggle using regular knives?
○ No, if I do I find the right one.
● Did the device make the objects easier to cut
through?
○ Yes for both.
● Any unexpected differences?
○ I had to hold it horizontally and the handle
got in the way.
● Would you buy this knife?
○ No, it seems too dangerous and I didn’t have
much control.
Observation (Task Analysis)
Cutting an onion with electric knife
1) Take out 2) Unbox and 3) Plug in 4) Grip and press 5) Store
of storage assemble
2a) Use 2b) Align 2c) Insert
Press harder
packaging to concentric blades into slot
depending on
determine holes of at handle top
desired speed
placement of the blades
parts in box
5a) Unplug 5b) Remove 5c) Clean
blades if needed
External Product Overview
Top of handle Blade release
Blades
Handle
Trigger
Overall measurements:
● Handle length: 9.25 in (23.5 cm)
● Thickness/circumference: 2.25 in (5.7 cm)
● Blade length: 7.85 in (20 cm)
● Trigger: 1.5 x .5 in (3.8 x 1.3 cm)
● Location: .5 in from top of handle
● Blade release trigger: .875 x .5 in (2.22 x 1.3 cm)
● Location: 1 in (2.5 cm) from top of handle
External Product Overview (cont.)
Affordances and Visual Cues
The blade release trigger, indicated by a “BLADE RELEASE” The knife only
label, affords pulling. Pulling the trigger releases the blade, works if it it
Holding tabs allow the blades to
which are then manually removed. connected to a
be maneuvered safely, colored
power outlet.
white to indicate safe touching
The long and ergonomic case
allows you to position your hand
properly. You should place your
index finger on the trigger
The trigger for operating the blades afford
pulling. When you pull on the trigger, it will move
The distinguishing shiny stainless steel finish indicate to the blades
the user that this is the blade.
The long edge ensures that the blade
doesn’t touch the table.
Off-Nominal Use
None of these uses are advertised by the manufacturer, but are other uses for knives:
1) Cutting softer/juicier foods
● Too overpowering, food becomes messy or mushy
2) Cutting wood
● Not enough, knife stalled
3) Shaving
● Unable to achieve thin cuts
Most foods
Elec
tric
knif
e
Soft Hard
Concept of Operations
1. Intended use
○ Cut or carve poultry meats and tough breads
○ Meant to make cutting simpler and less physically draining
2. Intended audience
○ Home cooks
○ Anyone mentally and physically able to handle a knife safely
3. Use
○ A trigger on the bottom of the knife is pulled to move the
blades
○ The harder the trigger is pressed, the faster the blades move
○ Another trigger releases the blades from the device
4. Conditions
○ Home (spacious) environment
○ Tough foods
5. Workflow
○ Someone making a meal that has a large loaf of hard bread to
cut
○ Someone does not enjoy the physically draining tasks of
cooking
