p e n n i n g t o n
"the cable-free and hassle-free domestic kitchen boiling solution"
This is a project I tackled in my final months of my first year of my degree. I set out with the aim of generating a solution for eliminating the obstruction of electrical cables from working environments.
My research investigated modern kitchen use, the dangers facing family members, the inconveniences, inefficiencies and limiting factors preventing the ideal domestic environment. Research highlighted that the source of many problems humans face in the kitchen are a result of outdated technologies, traditions and kitchen layouts versus the increasingly modernised society.
British new-build home sizes per individual have reduced by 44% in overall area in metres² in 100 years whereas the rest of the globe seem to be expanding their home sizes. I was particularly interested in how this has affected new young families and as a result, I made many investigations into space efficiency and how it affects family members.
The product has a huge focus on the integration of modern technology and material to improve the lives of the users, "decluttering" work surfaces, increasing the speed of tasks and simultaneously reducing the negative externality of water and power wastage.
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Removing power cables from work environments is at the forefront of the kettle design reducing surface clutter eliminating tripping and pulling hazards and has the benefit from an aesthetic point of view in that power cables are hidden.
The kettle uses an up and coming technology of wireless induction power similar to what is used in wireless phone chargers. A transmitter coil unit is fitted beneath the worktop and generates an alternating magnetic field of power which is received by the kettle allowing it to power and boil "wirelessly" .
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Other features of the product include smartphone integration using applications to schedule boils, power on and off and change boil temperatures following the design philosophy of "the internet of things".
-Relocation of capacity gauge to the top of the kettle to incentivise the user to ensure only enough water is boiled each time.
-Units of measurement converted from litres to "cups" to make filling more family friendly and understandable in a kitchen environment.
-Transparent borosilicate glass casing that illuminates in various colours to notify the user of certain functionality.
-"One handed" filling of the kettle with trigger action filling lid.
-Bright and large print display on the top of the product showing levels of liquid, temperature, time of boil etc.
-Variable temperatures for different warm beverages.
-Non-conductive heat proof handle with thumb support for efficient pouring and safety.
If you are interested in this product and how it works feel free to read the whole visual report and view the appendix of illustrations and diagrams or don't hesitate to contact me for more information regarding the design concept.
"wireless power, is future power"
"A collection of sketches and development work for this project. I find producing diagrams and annotating an effective method for laying out my thought processes and establishing if something will work or be effective prior to modeling. I believe anyone can sit and make a sketch beautiful with markers or photoshop, but what I find unique to me is the ability to convey my thoughts well through rough sketch as well as render. The predominant purpose of my exploratory sketching is to flatten out any creases in a concept and uncover any new problems that may be fatal to the concepts success in the development and launch stages of the product. Following this stage, numerous iterations of rough models were produced to further explore ideas."
