Aside from weighted blankets, there are other weighted sensory products that exist on the market and which are designed for the same purpose. The images above are taken from Sensory Owl, which is a website that sells different kind of sensory products. (https://sensoryowl.co.uk) The first three photographs are of Sensory Owl’s ‘Weighted Everyday Vest’, which is described on the website as an ‘every day design for comfortable use’. These vests are individually made to order, and have ‘internal loading pockets’ which allows the weight of the vest to be changed and adapted, to suit the individual’s needs. On the inside it also has additional adjustment stripes for tight wrapping, so that it can safely be strapped tighter around the body- this allows adaptable pressure. The weight modules, (as described on the website and as seen in the third image) are natural gravel. Sensory Owl sell this vest in sizes XS to XL and in a variety of different colours. The bottom two images of the post are of Sensory Owl’s ‘Weighted Therapy Vest’, which they describe as a ‘multiuser vest’, which is designed to come in handy when there is more than one user. For example, this type of vest can be used amongst a number of people within a therapy session, or in a school or hospital setting. This vest also has large outer pockets, unlike the everyday vest, which allows for a heavier load. It does however use natural gravel for its weights, similarly to the everyday vest, and is made individually to order variable to colour choices.
As part of my research, I decided that it would be beneficial for me as the maker, and for the project as a whole, if I were to see whether there were any other different kinds of products on the market, other than weighted blankets. Thinking ahead in regards to the degree show, it might be an option for me to create one or more sensory products using my designs, and depending on practicality and time management, much thought would need to go into which products I might create. I would also question what would happen to these products after the degree show is over. The circumstances may also depend on where and if I can source the correct supplies, for example poly pellets are easily sourced due to the fact that they are not expensive, and can be bought online almost anywhere. However whether their use can be compared to that of glass pellets, natural gravel, or led pellets is a different matter. If I am to make a finished product then it needs to be of high quality, it needs to be practically safe, and it needs to be designed using the correct materials. All of these aspects that come into play when considering creating a product, will only prove to be successful or not through creating prototypes. (Next step!)
