Client
Client
Haier
Haier
Role
Role
Interaction Lead
Interaction Lead
Time
Time
10 Months
10 Months
Product Team
Product Team
1 x UxUi
1 x UxUi
2 x UiD
2 x UiD
1 x Research
1 x Research
2020 - 2021
iF Gold
iF Gold
Casarte Designer Series F+
Casarte Designer F+ Series
Redefining a product category through UCD to create a new industry leader.
Redefining a product category through UCD to create a new industry leader.
Client
Casarte, the premium sub-brand of Haier, is positioned as a premium line of kitchen smart products designed to meet the needs of culinary enthusiasts and professional chefs. The brand emphasizes advanced technology, innovative features, and sleek design to enhance the cooking experience and environmental interior aesthetic. Their appliances are often equipped with smart and intuitive functionalities, premium materials, and precise control options, catering to high income individuals who value high-performance and sophisticated design.
Casarte, the premium sub-brand of Haier, is positioned as a premium line of kitchen smart products designed to meet the needs of culinary enthusiasts and professional chefs. The brand emphasizes advanced technology, innovative features, and sleek design to enhance the cooking experience and environmental interior aesthetic. Their appliances are often equipped with smart and intuitive functionalities, premium materials, and precise control options, catering to high income individuals who value high-performance and sophisticated design.
Product
The F+ series features a new product platform 'Seamless Built-in'. This new innovation provides the embedded aesthetic of built-in appliances with the flexible and easy install of freestanding appliances. The product is among the highest price point across the industry, targeting Asian customers with western-style kitchens and sensibilities.
The F+ series features a new product platform 'Seamless Built-in'. This new innovation provides the embedded aesthetic of built-in appliances with the flexible and easy install of freestanding appliances. The product is among the highest price point across the industry, targeting Asian customers with western-style kitchens and sensibilities.
Goals
Smart Features
Showcasing user-centered high-technology innovative features.
Showcasing user-centered high-technology innovative features.
Differentiated PI
Casarte brand has a unique vertical first-read PI across their product portfolio.
Casarte brand has a unique vertical first-read PI across their product portfolio.
Exterior Display
Create a new user-validated exterior display layout and positioning.
Create a new user-validated exterior display layout and positioning.
Health & Wellness
A brand-wise initiative to include personalized health solutions for all products.
A brand-wise initiative to include personalized health solutions for all products.
Interface Access
A key novel solution we created was a horizontal dual interior-exterior display. The intent was to give users immediate access to the core functions while the doors are closed while also having the display be as invisible as possible while not in use to not disturb the interior environment aesthetic and bolster the Seamless Built-in character.
A key novel solution we created was a horizontal dual interior-exterior display. The intent was to give users immediate access to the core functions while the doors are closed while also having the display be as invisible as possible while not in use to not disturb the interior environment aesthetic and bolster the Seamless Built-in character.
Iteration
UX needs required a wide range of low, medium, and high fidelity storyboards for user validation and stakeholder decision guidance for new and/or improved features. While UI required rapid prototyping for both interface content and the display innovation.
UX needs required a wide range of low, medium, and high fidelity storyboards for user validation and stakeholder decision guidance for new and/or improved features. While UI required rapid prototyping for both interface content and the display innovation.
Reactive Lighting
A novel interior lighting feature was created which dynamically reacted to the user's interactions inside specific zones. The lighting, when movement is sensed, dramatically increases to give enhanced visible and a sense of guidance.
A novel interior lighting feature was created which dynamically reacted to the user's interactions inside specific zones. The lighting, when movement is sensed, dramatically increases to give enhanced visible and a sense of guidance.
Advanced Auto Open
Mechanical auto opening of the exterior drawers and doors was a new technological innovation the Casarte team developed. We implemented the technology into the exterior design by utilizing the PI handle as a touch-sensor. A touch interaction and movement will activate the auto open to a specific drawer or door(s) depending on the direction of movement as well as which, or both, handles were used.
Mechanical auto opening of the exterior drawers and doors was a new technological innovation the Casarte team developed. We implemented the technology into the exterior design by utilizing the PI handle as a touch-sensor. A touch interaction and movement will activate the auto open to a specific drawer or door(s) depending on the direction of movement as well as which, or both, handles were used.
Exterior AI / VUI
As Casarte has their own VUI requirements, a visual communication system was created utilizing the vertical PI. A center vertical light movement visualized the output audio of the system. The left and right vertical lights communicated actions, needs, or indicators of their respective display UI content below. Both left and right lights are used for listening indication.
As Casarte has their own VUI requirements, a visual communication system was created utilizing the vertical PI. A center vertical light movement visualized the output audio of the system. The left and right vertical lights communicated actions, needs, or indicators of their respective display UI content below. Both left and right lights are used for listening indication.
Interface Content
The interface content was split into 2 main content systems. The left display managed the core refrigerator hardware capabilities, while the right display managed the more digital focused content such as recipes, meal planning, and the user health center.
The interface content was split into 2 main content systems. The left display managed the core refrigerator hardware capabilities, while the right display managed the more digital focused content such as recipes, meal planning, and the user health center.
Smart Clips
NFC smart clips can be used to track the stored duration of items within the fridge. The clips are stored and charged in a dedicated hidden compartment below the left balcony.
NFC smart clips can be used to track the stored duration of items within the fridge. The clips are stored and charged in a dedicated hidden compartment below the left balcony.
Full case studies avaliable upon request
Full case studies avaliable upon request
Full case studies avaliable upon request
Full case studies avaliable upon request
Full case studies avaliable upon request
Full case studies avaliable upon request