Client
Client
Casarte
Casarte
Role
Role
Product & Interaction Lead
Product & Interaction Lead
Time
Time
2 Months
2 Months
Product Team
Product Team
1 x iD
1 x UxUi (Me)
1 x UxUi (Me)
1 x Research
1 x Research
1 x CMF
1 x CMF
2023
Casarte Mirror MSA Display
An innovative and intuitive approach to a subtle phygital (physical + digital) interface design.
An innovative and intuitive approach to a subtle phygital (physical + digital) interface design.
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.
Full Project
Please visit the full project for broader context of the design outcome, process, and goals.
Please visit the full project for broader context of the design outcome, process, and goals.
Interior
The interior design of the 'lighthouse' product introduced several new features, notably a spacious single-panel fresh zone drawer and door that extends across the entire width of the interior.
Drawer Mirror Display
A number of considerations and requirements where needed to be met from both the user, the engineering team, and the product team.
A number of considerations and requirements where needed to be met from both the user, the engineering team, and the product
1
Analog or Digital (TFT Touch Screen)
Due to the humidity and temperature of refrigerator interiors, it is impractical to use a touch display. This requires either analog mechanical solutions or low-quality foil push buttons.
Due to the humidity and temperature of refrigerator interiors, it is impractical to use a touch display. This requires either analog mec solutions or low-quality foil push buttons.
2
Shy Tech
Given the infrequent usage of the interface (ranging from once a day to once a week), the user favors an interface that remains concealed when not in use.
Given the infrequent usage of the interface (ranging from once a day to once a week), the user favors an interface that remains concealed when not in use.
3
Intuitive Controls
Ensuring a functional and seamless control experience for tasks spanning from straightforward functions like temperature adjustments to more intricate ones such as managing recipes. This efficiency is needed to minimize the need to keep the refrigerator doors open for extended periods, preventing the loss of cold air.
Ensuring a functional and seamless control experience for tasks spanning from straightforward functions like temperature adjustments to more intricate ones such as managing recipes. This efficiency is needed to minimize the need to keep the refrigerator doors open for extended periods, preventing the loss of cold air.
4
PI Match
The controls and interface should align with and contribute to the overall furniture-like product identity.
The controls and interface should align with and contribute to the overall furniture-like product identity.
Inspiration &
Acknowledgments
We drew from wide array of specific product reference, for example the diy smart mirror scene, smart home appliances, the (close to my heart) iPod video scroll wheel , and smart IoT thermostats.
We drew from wide array of specific product reference, for example the diy smart mirror scene, smart home appliances, the (close to my heart) iPod video scroll wheel , and smart IoT thermostats.
Usage
Initiating the display involves a single press of the currently flush control dial. Subsequently, this dial extends outward, serving as the sole input source, while the display beneath the mirrored door awakes from sleep mode.
A 'half step' push will act as 'select', while pushing the dial all the way in will put the display back to sleep.
Initiating the display involves a single press of the currently flush control dial. Subsequently, this dial extends outward, serving as the sole input source, while the display beneath the mirrored door awakes from sleep mode.
A 'half step' push will act as 'select', while pushing the dial all the way in will put the display back to sleep.
Navigation
A variety of navigation frameworks were designed, and two initially tested in low fidelity to discover which is most intuitive and effecient.
A variety of navigation frameworks were designed, and two initially tested in low fidelity to discover which is most intuitive and effecient.
Status
Currently we are collaborating closely with the development team to bring our vision to fruition, addressing challenges, visiting suppliers, and providing guidance in design decision-making as we progress from the prototype stage to mass production.
Currently we are collaborating closely with the development team to bring our vision to fruition, addressing challenges, visiting suppliers, and providing guidance in design decision-making as we progress from the prototype stage to mass production, with a target launch in Spring 2024.
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