1. Research & Design Process
S e l f - I n i t i a t e d //
‘Running on Empty’
Fraser Gibb

2. Running and Hydration
The Facts Existing Products
Many runners do not take water
“During your run, it is important with them on a training run Designed
to stay hydrated, especially on because they simply cannot be to fit in the
hot, humid days that you will bothered with the frustration hand - water
be running long distances. You of carrying a bottle. hard to suck
should drink fluids early in the from and
sloshes
race instead of waiting until about
you are thirsty. Once you feel Despite the recommendation
that thirsty feeling, your body that water should ideally be
is dehydrated already so you consumed gradually as you go,
Designed for
should always stay ahead and many runners do not currently marathons and long
keep consuming fluids.” feel the need to take any with training runs - carried
*training-marathon.com them. around waist
Designed for
long runs/
hiking.
Holds 2 litres
and requires
suction to pull
water from
reservoir

3. Types of Runners
30 mins 45 mins 60 mins 75 mins 90 mins
Recreational People run for different
to keep fit reasons. From talking
to lose weight to a range of runners
to de-stress I discovered why
for charity they run, but more
run mainly in groups importantly when they
start to think about
Intermediate/Aspirational hydrating whilst on a
pushing to improve run.
training to compete
run alone and in groups
learning about their body
Elite/Marathon runners
train to compete
know their bodys well
pushing to improve
time is important factor

4. User Profiles
Michelle, 28 David, 39
Recreational runner Intermediate/Aspirational
Runs 1-2 times a week runner
Trains to keep fit and for Runs 3-4 times a week
charity races (5k) Trains to compete in 10K and
marathons
Michelle enjoys keeping fit and
socialising by running weekly with While on short training runs,
her running group. She often takes David rarely takes water with
a donut bottle with her to drink him because he feels he doesn’t
from as she goes, but hates the need it. On longer runs he often
sloshing of the water. She runs plans his route and drives it first,
comfortably over 5k and likes to dropping off bottles in bushes at
raise money for charities, but has various intervals. He hates the
no intention of improving her times sloshing about of water and often
or technique, preferring to take it takes an energy gel on longer,
easy and enjoy herself. marathon length runs.

5. Moodboard
I felt it important to map
out the current running
market in order to place
my design within a familiar
context and style. I noted
how the use of vibrant
colours gives these
products a personality,
and how this works well
with black, appearing very
sleek and professional.
The forms are very
functional and lend to
the streamlined and
movement connotations
of speed and elegance.

6. User Research
I spread my research over 3 main areas:
Running stores Glasgow University Running Club BBC Sports Relief Charity Race
images of running club show mock-
ups of early stage prototypes that
unfortunately cannot be disclosed
at this stage.
The University Running Club has
a mixture of experienced and
new runners who all had different
opinions on my ideas.
Observing the charity race allowed me to see my
user group in action with nearly every person,
Experts on running as well as particularly women, carrying a water bottle. It was
being potential salesmen of the interesting to note that many people had to stop or
new running product. slow down to take a drink.

7. Observations
some turn
sleeves into
glove-like
apparel
ipod armbands are some carry more serious
popular on the upper bottles, often runners wear
part of arm, some hold carrying more gloves and lightly
them in their hand than they cup their hands
need to
often wear watches; My key
different wrists for observation noted
different runners how runners
choose to access
water - mainly
many wear rain jackets or long- access to water is seeking to
sleeves, often rolling them up easiest by squeezing squeeze or pour.
when the sun comes out

8. Key Insights
Many runners Above and beyond the product
“I carry my keys in my wear watches, and
hand because I feel they requirements set by the brief, I identified
do so on different
are secure there” that the key user needs around runners and
wrists
hydration are that the product:
must be comfortable
“I would want
“I just want enough
must not interrupt a runner’s rhythm or
something that fits current running style
water to rinse my
with my current
mouth out”
running style”
be mindful of a runner’s attitude to water
intake and how and when they seek it
access to water must be with minimum
“When short of breath, “I adapt my route to effort
the action, or even the include water stops - I
thought, of sucking water drive the route first and
is very uncomfortable” liquid flow/movement must not cause
hide bottles in bushes”
frustration to runner