Cruz: The Bar Blender
Cruz is a charismatic hand blender for bartenders to showcase their artistry in the performance of bartending; to achieve the emotion of polished dynamism. The design of it is informed by an in-depth research study into all aspects of the blender, and we aimed to design a new dynamic hand blender that exists for not only its function, but for its showmanship.
Project leads: Gloria Ngiam, Goh Hong, Naroth Murali and Albert Lee
The Design Process
1) History of blenders
2) Case studies of blenders
3) Market matrices
4) Content mapping
5) Defining the user
6) Precedence studies
7) Mood boards
8) Idea generation
9) Aspect prioritizing
10) Gesture studies
11) Form exploration
12) Design development
13) User testing
14) Peripheral studies
15) Dock exploration
16) Colour and material exploration
17) Detailing
18) Persona verification and testing
19) Design refinement
20) Sustainability
21) Construction methods
Research
Multiple market matrices to find the right market for our design.
Multiple content maps to clearly pen down our understanding of all blenders and to seek our design direction.
Persona and Experience board done to help us better understand the users we are designing for.
Precedents studies made to draw relevant insights from existing designs.
Mood board defined to help guide the form of our design.
Design Generation
Idea generation - a sea of sketches and illustration.
Aspects prioritization to inform us of the core value of our blender.
Gestural studies from different sports, entertainment and industry.
Design development
Form development through numerous sketches, illustrations and modelling.
User testing and feedback.
Initial dock design development, considering the efficiency of use as well as the gesture involved.
Material studies taking reference from the context of use as well as buddy equipments.
Design Refinement
Divergent thinking, more sketches and models done to refine the form of blender.
Design exploration of the docks.
Designing all the details of the blender; part-line, button, light, form, charging pin, etc.
Colour and material combination between blender and dock exploration.
Final Design - Cruz
Prototype of Cruz
Flaring with Cruz
