Elevon Mixer
Objective
Conduct user research about aesthetic preferences of target group-- users of hand mixers. Design a concept that fits the aesthetic preferences of a particular user.
User Research
Two different mood boards, I developed with my test users to articulate their design tastes. Once I had these mood boards, I worked to distill them into names and specific descriptors of their feature.
The first (shown in the top right) is the “atomic scalene” aesthetic, it’s emblematic features are:
generally monochromatic, any color used is very subdued
lots of stainless steel
geometrically dynamic, minimalist forms
references or exemplifies late midcentury design
The second (shown in the bottom right) is the “anthracite undorthodoxy” aesthetic, it’s emblematic features are:
almost exclusively dark colors, relies more on changes in material or finish to create a composition
the forms combined with the color and finish give the designs an almost mineral quality
a contemporary twist on classic items and forms
Ideation
Ideation sketches to start brainstorming inspired by the elements identified from the user research aesthetics. While the majority of the focus was on form, I did bring in CMF to some degree to at least have it in mind as I would be moving into the subsequent phases of the project.
After choosing a design direction to pursue, I made a rough model of the form out of foam core and paper. This allowed me to discover and engage with aspects of the design that I hadn’t approached yet.
This pointed out some of the main issues I would need to resolve with the design, such as the width of the handle and the strut, how the interfaces would work in the hands of a user, and how I would approach and address the flat base of the mixer.
Definition
Iteration
After defining the concept more, I revisited the design. This was an opportunity to adapt the original design in a variety of ways to be more practical for manufacturing constraints, and explore a volume of alternative approaches for detailing the same form.
The design distributes its volume very differently from a typical mixer (with the motor inside the cylindrical portion and the fan assembly in the strut). To check the design, I went through a few rounds of 3D printing models of the main components. This helped to fine-tune the scale and the ergonomics of the handle.
