METHODS: product category and market research, contextual inquiry, brainstorming, sketching, physical prototyping TOOLS: digital photography, prototyping tools DELIVERABLES: [Project Blog]
+ OVERVIEW This project was completed for a course in user-centered product design at the Institute of Design. For my project, I chose to design a compact refrigerator aimed toward college students. I documented and reflected on my design process on my course blog.
+ PRODUCT LANDSCAPE From my initial category research, I found that the compact refrigerator market was severely lacking any forms of innovation. Through contextual inquiries with 5 college students, I was able to validate and greatly develop my original hypothesis that mini-friges were not adequately supporting the cooking and eating habits of college students. I organized my research insights into three categories of design critiera, namely (i) fridge space, (ii) mini-meals, (iii) and sharing.
+ PROTOTYPING After exploring many design concepts through brainstorming and sketching, I finally focused on a modular design that addressed design criteria for each area (mini-meals, fridge space, and sharing). I developed the concept through a series of physical prototypes using a disassembled mini-fridge, foam core, and other materials.
 
 
 
|
||
