drip coffee machine
Coffee Goddess – Form & Experience
About
Goal
Outcome
process
To get inspired for the form focused experience design of a drip coffee machine I explore everything around. I discovered instances of experience by collecting pictures, touching and feeling objects, and listening to or thinking about the sounds associated with the pictures and objects. Samples are collected by being wildly curious and open to the possibilities in the environment like Alice from Alice in Wonderland. The technique of word association is used to express the emotions and feelings associated with the samples through size, colour, material, form and texture. The samples that evoke similar feelings and emotions are then grouped together.
Coffee is connected with a variety of things. It could be related to the perfect weather and soil for coffee cultivation, the origins of coffee culture, the aroma of coffee grounds and coffee blossoms, coffee breaks, coffee with friends, coffee addiction, and so on. These categories of samples are described by asking “what about these feelings and emotions makes you think of coffee?”
Existing drip coffee machines are explored. The mechanism in which this brewing process takes place and the placement of the components is studied. Filter, water reservoir, water tubes, shower head, heating element, and carafe are the key components in an automatic drip coffee maker.
“Why is this the most inspiring?”
To decide what the coffee machine should express, one of the seven categories of experiences is chosen. A design goal is stated by asking “why is this the most inspiring?” Perceptual features of objects, materials, and colours, both previously and newly explored, are analyzed to create the intended product expression by connecting the dots and discovering logic between them, much like Sherlock Holmes.
To design a Feminine and Superior Coffee Machine depicting how people have surrendered to coffee and have a fierce faith in it. The Coffee Machine will have a feminine and superior form like a Goddess. It will have features that provide an experience of worshipping a Goddess. People worship a Goddess and surrender themselves only when they need something and cannot proceed without the fulfilment of this need. This is applied in the design. The Coffee Machine will provide a superior quality of coffee for which people have an unquenchable thirst. This can be achieved with the choice of materials and mechanism of the coffee machine which work together to bless the people with quality coffee.
The FormX matrix is used to express the main findings of the perceptual causes of experiences to describe the Product Expression.
Three kinds of collages are created to illustrate the most important aspects of the desired experience:
Memetic Collage – Expresses the form, colours, materials, and texture.
Lifestyle Collage – Reflects the user’s context.
Emotive Collage – Expresses the emotional significance.
In the Manifestation Phase, ideation is done and a final concept of Coffee Goddess - a feminine and superior coffee machine is introduced. CAD Model Renders are used to communicate the product experience. A prototype is made using Foam and exhibited along with collages and posters.
Various Organic forms are sketched to realise the desired form. Some of them are symmetrical. Some have the top surface at an angle to the bottom surface. This is derived from the posture of looking up in pride and to feel superior. Orientation of elements of a drip coffee machine - filter, water reservoir, carafe shaped like a cup and a coffee reservoir is explored. A selection of few organic forms is combined with the features of the coffee machine which is shown in the next section.
Various organic forms ideated in the previous step are combined with the features and elements of a drip coffee machine to realise the desired form. Initially, a separate coffee reservoir was thought of but later discarded as it would lead to complications in the placement of internal components of the machine. Patterns of coffee beans and coffee flowers are explored on standard metal filter cones.
How does a user experience the product?
The product has been designed to provide an experience of worshipping a goddess in return for something, in this case coffee. This is why the product is called Coffee Goddess. It is fully functional drip coffee machine. The attributes used to describe it are feminine and superior. The choice of materials, texture, lighting, and sounds have been carefully selected to provide the desired experience. Usage of sounds and lighting may not be appreciated by all the users and currently there is no option to turn it off. This can be included. The form of the product was also carefully studied to incorporate all the components of the drip coffee machine. The product has a compact form which saves space. Using Vintage Bronze and Copper makes it an expensive product. The product may not be suitable for mass production. Metal Coffee Machines are usually made of stainless steel. Manufacturing the outer body with bronze needs to be further investigated.