FLEXBAR —
washIng machIne concept
for Vestel in 2018
Award:
Design Turkey Conceptual Design Award 2019
Design Background & Statement
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The interaction betweeen the user and the washing machine in terms of controlling varies from product to product. Most of them have fixed displays enabling front, top or angled operation. But each use has its own advantages and disadvantges. The visuals of displays are sometimes dominant, sometimes well integrated as parts of doors.
How can an interaction be created which ensures all advanteges of the existing display placements and how can the display be something that is not considered to be hidden yet shown as a significant part of the machine?
Market Research
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There are various ways to use displays; front, angled, top and flexible operation. The front operation works better if display can show details about process as an informative screen but the control is not that ergonomic. The angled operation offers the user an easier control and display can also work for informative purposes. The top operation provides a clean look for the front and ergonomic control. In this case, there is no info screen. Last, flexible operation works well both for easy operation and process readability, but the existing solution is not well executed nor integrated.
Inspiration
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● iconic and minimal appearance
● simplicity of basic geometries
● highlighting with contrast
● simplicity of basic geometries
● highlighting with contrast
Ideation
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After deciding on the product archetype, my focus was on finding interactions that can create a comfortable, efficient and safe experience. I came up with several interaction alternatives. First, I thought of using sensors to detect one’s foot to wake up the machine. Second, I considered face recognition that can be realized by setting cameras in a variety of ways. Third, I thought about eye tracking to create an incomparable way of activating the device. Last, as a most promising and applicable option, touch ID can be used. Besides, the product details and finishes were developed.
Mockups
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Making scaled models helped me to find better proportions and gave me the chance of simulating the use case.
Final Product
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The Flexbar concept washing machine is unique with its adaptive bar display. Thanks to the rotatable aluminum bar unit, the interaction with the machine is taken to another level. The product has three modes that make it peerless: standby, active and informative mode. In standby mode, the control panel is inactive and ready for the use. In active mode, unlike conventional washing machine displays, the Flexbar provides the desired display position/angle for each user. The position is set by an application. In informative mode, the display helps the user to see and read the information easily without getting close to the machine while it is running. The biometric scanner ensures a tailored user experience, every user has his/her own personal programs and settings that can be accessed by just a touch of a button. Moreover, it makes the washing machine safer for kids meaning only registered users can have the control of the machine.
Standby
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During the standby mode, the display is off and acting like an iconic part of a whole. This position allows the characteristic look of the aluminum bar to come to the fore as a dominant design element.
Active
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Flexbar is activated by touching the touch ID featured button. After touching the button slightly, the bar display wakes up and gets in pre-set position. When the machine is in active mode, the user can have access to his/her customized menu where the favorite programs and settings can be found.
Informative
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As soon as the user started a program the display starts working as an informative screen that shows the remaining time with a process bar. By rotating the aluminum bar 90 degree, the readability of the information on the screen is improved.
App & Button
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The application helps the user to set the preferred display position. When the user adjusts the display angle in the application, the display itself starts changing its angle simultaneously. Thus, when the user feels comfortable, the display has its customized position.
The touch button works in two ways. First, press the button to activate the display. Second, press and hold to open the door.
Interface
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Apart from all the unique features of the Flexbar that push the limits of interacting with a washing machine, simpe and easy to use interface provides a convenient user interaction.
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