Redesign for a Specific Brand
This project started with the choice of a product (in this case was a expresso machine as showed below) with an electronic / electrical / mechanical component with the aim of creating a new product (or a transformed product) that could be formally and functionally in tune with the needs and possibilities provided by the technology supplied. The possibility of substituting and/or applying new functionalities to the items under development was valued, possibly breaking ties with the previous technological conception and establishing links of a different nature, for example, new scenarios for using the objects.
The aim was simultaneously to analyse a brand - disconnected from the initial market for the proposed object - and to create proposals for new formal and/or functional solutions that identify the chosen brand and its values.
The aim of the exercise was also to understand the product's internal operating systems. To this end, the product was dismantled and reassembled according to the new configuration of the proposed internal components.
Delta Q Qool v1.1
The delta Q Qool v1.1 is a home espresso machine with an automatic feature that memorises the dosage of coffee selected by the user. It was developed by Delta in partnership with Brasília.
Interaction Problems
The problems encountered focus on the user experience. The way in which the object is interacted with must be easy to understand, practical and quick without inconvenience, since this object is used on a daily basis, probably at least once every day.
Malfunctions
The problems encountered focus on operation during coffee extraction. The entire internal mechanism should work without hindrance and may need some maintenance, but only after x coffee extractions. This maintenance should be easy and could be carried out by the user if the machine comes with instructions.
Creative Development
At this stage, three concepts were proposed for different ways of solving the problem raised. In this phase, sketches, drawings and representations of the conceptual proposals were developed.
The product should be associated with the SONY brand identity through formal language, materials, applied technology, and other properties that define the brand.
The lack of a clear sequence of movements in existing products on the market was also noted. Espresso machines do not have a fluid rhythm of interaction with the product in the steps required to use it. From the outset, it was decided that the new product would also focus on this problem by creating a logical and physically directional sequence of steps.
Materialisation and Visualisation
The most promising concept was selected for development. The idea behind the selected concept was that the user would perform the actions in the specific direction so that the movements would be more fluid and easy to memorise after just a few uses. In this case, the action of making an espresso is carried out from top to bottom. The concept was refined through two-dimensional drawings for formal definition and generic dimensioning, as well as study models and detailing the solutions.
This was followed by detailed three-dimensional modelling and the creation of renders of the developed product as well as technical drawings of the project.
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Light Ring
The product concept features a light ring that is the most prominent part of the product.
SONY has transformed its basic idea to achieve the concept of Kando (emotion in Japanese). Kando is created and experienced by people. As such, sony group management is "getting closer to people". Based on this fundamental approach, they have continued to pursue their initial goal of enriching people's lives through the power of technology, creating innovative products and emotionally impactful content.
Drinking coffee today is considered an experience. The taste, the aroma, the container in which you drink it are all part of a sensory experience that is becoming increasingly apparent to consumers and lovers of all types of coffee. These experiences are linked to subconscious emotions, and as described there are sometimes foods and drinks that represent an emotional state - a "mood". In this way, lights with specific tones, controlled by the user via the app, help to enhance and enrich the experience and consequently Kando.
Refill Water and Capsules
First you need to remove the water tank, take off the lid and refill it. The capsules are then placed inside the tube that runs through the tank, up to a maximum of 4 capsules in a tower, so you don't have to put one in at a time for each espresso you make. At the end of this process, simply place the tank with water in the place orientated by the tube and hole and it's ready to use.
Remove used capsules and the Dripping Water
There is a compartment that holds 4 used capsules, which after each shot of espresso are automatically dispensed into the tank at the back of the machine, which has an auxiliary strip for removal. Simply pull it out when it's full, remove the capsules for recycling and insert them back into the machine.
To remove leftover dripping coffee, simply pull out the tank at the front of the machine, rinse it and insert it again until it is firmly in place.
Quantity Options
The machine is originally programmed to extract 3 different amounts of coffee, but you can change this by pressing the button with the amount of coffee you want when extracting it.
Designed by Bernardo Pereira
Faculdade de Arquitetura U. Lisboa - 2022
