The Turning Point: When Efficiency Becomes Experience
Designing for Meaningful Interactions and Longevity in Kitchen Appliances
B.A.M. Koppert (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
M.C. Dekker – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
C.P.J.M. Kroon – Mentor (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
Markus Orthey – Mentor (De’Longhi Braun Household)
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Abstract
The amount of products we own combined with the ease of obsolescence, result in a huge environmental impact. Our attitude towards products is unsustainable and designers have a responsibility to guide consumers toward more meaningful and lasting relationships with the products we buy.
Since the kitchen appliance market is highly saturated, focus on functionality and affordability makes it hard to compete. There is an opportunity in adding other types of value (emotional, social, epistemic and conditional) to Braun kitchen appliances, to be front runner for the transition in kitchen context and product ownership.
The choice to cook often results in a trade-off between time, cost, and health. The mega-trends show that health, sustainability, self expression and community become increasingly important. Therefore cooking will transition from a functional activity to an experience-based one. The purpose of cooking will be to acquire skills or to connect with oneself and others.
The conceptual design, 'The Turning Point', transforms the cooking process into a satisfying and enjoyable experience. Users can choose between hand-pulling and foot-pumping movements, which are converted by a visible mechanism into a rotational driver for kitchen appliances. This replaces all electric rotating motors in the kitchen. The interaction between user and product requires effort from the user, thereby strengthening their relationship. Direct feedback makes people feel in control, and they value the end result more when they have put in the effort themselves.
The future persona will put time and effort in their kitchen appliance and associates the product with a positive experience. The investment and positive association lead to more product attachment. Care and maintenance feel natural and satisfy the user. Their daily movements contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
The report is structured based on the Vision in Product Design method (ViP). The current context is compared to the future context of 2040, which is used to create a design vision. The Turning Point is a showcase that embodies communicates this vision.