E-PAPER KITCHEN APPLIANCES
Reimagined with electronic paper displays, appliances gain added personalization and functionality.
E-PAPER KITCHEN APPLIANCES
Reimagined with electronic paper displays, appliances gain added personalization and functionality.
BACKGROUND
SHAPES. SIZES. AND A LACK OF COLOR.
Kitchens are anything but uniform. Whether differing in shape, size, color, or style, no two are ever the same. So why do we still see the same stainless steel appliances everywhere? Stainless steel has long been equated with an accessible “premium” factor. But being uniform isn’t what we find in truly luxurious homes.
BACKGROUND
SHAPES. SIZES. AND A LACK OF COLOR.
Kitchens are anything but uniform. Whether differing in shape, size, color, or style, no two are ever the same. So why do we still see the same stainless steel appliances everywhere? Stainless steel has long been equated with an accessible “premium” factor. But being uniform isn’t what we find in truly luxurious homes.
OBJECTIVE
BEYOND THE STEEL STANDARD.
With value-driven consumers increasingly seeking products that reflect their needs and lifestyles, this project aims to reframe what “premium” in the kitchen can mean. How can kitchen appliances evolve with homeowners’ changing aesthetic desires while delivering meaningful, adaptive value?
OBJECTIVE
BEYOND THE STEEL STANDARD.
With value-driven consumers increasingly seeking products that reflect their needs and lifestyles, this project aims to reframe what “premium” in the kitchen can mean. How can kitchen appliances evolve with homeowners’ changing aesthetic desires while delivering meaningful, adaptive value?
Image by Andrew J. Hawkins for The Verge.
INSIGHT
THE RETURN OF E-PAPER.
Electronic paper technology (e-paper) made its mark in Amazon’s eReaders and Pebble smart watches, and recently wowed at CES in BMW’s color-changing car. The pigment-based platform means a non-emissive, highly energy-efficient display, making it ideal for integration into kitchen appliances.
INSIGHT
THE RETURN OF E-PAPER.
Electronic paper technology (e-paper) made its mark in Amazon’s eReaders and Pebble smart watches, and recently wowed at CES in BMW’s color-changing car. The pigment-based platform means a non-emissive, highly energy-efficient display, making it ideal for integration into kitchen appliances.
INSIGHT
THE NEXT EVOLUTION.
IoT and smart-home ecosystems aren’t new, they’re expected. Today, the opportunity lies in how these home devices can continue to add value to our lives through intelligence, automation, and functionality. So it only makes sense that kitchen appliances evolve too, unlocking new possibilities not just through core functions, but through customization and personalization.
INSIGHT
THE NEXT EVOLUTION.
IoT and smart-home ecosystems aren’t new, they’re expected. Today, the opportunity lies in how these home devices can continue to add value to our lives through intelligence, automation, and functionality. So it only makes sense that kitchen appliances evolve too, unlocking new possibilities not just through core functions, but through customization and personalization.
INTRODUCTION
SURFACES THAT COME ALIVE.
This could be the future of kitchens: a connected appliance ecosystem that can update in an instant. E-paper stretches edge to edge, hugging every curve and filling every corner. Fridges, microwaves, ranges, and dishwashers become fully customizable canvases, taking on newfound expression.
INTRODUCTION
SURFACES THAT COME ALIVE.
This could be the future of kitchens: a connected appliance ecosystem that can update in an instant. E-paper stretches edge to edge, hugging every curve and filling every corner. Fridges, microwaves, ranges, and dishwashers become fully customizable canvases, taking on newfound expression.
YOUR KITCHEN. YOUR CANVAS.
This e-paper platform enables homeowners to transform their kitchens into true reflections of their style. With full-color displays, they can choose from an extensive curated library or create freely with patterns, solid colors, images, videos, animations, and more.
YOUR KITCHEN. YOUR CANVAS.
This e-paper platform enables homeowners to transform their kitchens into true reflections of their style. With full-color displays, they can choose from an extensive curated library or create freely with patterns, solid colors, images, videos, animations, and more.
BLENDING IN.
For homeowners who don’t want their appliances to stand out, the “Cabinet-look” feature lets them scan existing cabinetry with their phone to apply a matching appearance. While the appliances can’t take on the three-dimensional characteristics of cabinetry, the camera-array system analyzes light sources to accurately reproduce highlights, shadows, color-temperature, and intensity.
BLENDING IN.
For homeowners who don’t want their appliances to stand out, the “Cabinet-look” feature lets them scan existing cabinetry with their phone to apply a matching appearance. While the appliances can’t take on the three-dimensional characteristics of cabinetry, the camera-array system analyzes light sources to accurately reproduce highlights, shadows, color-temperature, and intensity.
A FAMILIAR TOUCH.
Homeowners can, of course, connect and control their appliances through native mobile apps, but these appliances also feature capacitive displays for direct interaction. Navigating the interface with taps, swipes, and pinches is familiar. These touchscreen capabilities also unlock new features – such as managing a growing shopping list, following an online recipe, displaying children’s artwork, and much more – right on the appliances themselves.
A FAMILIAR TOUCH.
Homeowners can, of course, connect and control their appliances through native mobile apps, but these appliances also feature capacitive displays for direct interaction. Navigating the interface with taps, swipes, and pinches is familiar. These touchscreen capabilities also unlock new features – such as managing a growing shopping list, following an online recipe, displaying children’s artwork, and much more – right on the appliances themselves.
CONTEXTUAL INTERACTIONS.
Some surfaces maintain core functionality while becoming more capable and context-driven. On the range and stovetop, digital temperature dials replace traditional knobs, preserving control over each burner while adding expanded functionality. Timers can be set per burner, temperatures adjusted with a swipe or tap, and other task-specific features accessed, all within the same active area.
CONTEXTUAL INTERACTIONS.
Some surfaces maintain core functionality while becoming more capable and context-driven. On the range and stovetop, digital temperature dials replace traditional knobs, preserving control over each burner while adding expanded functionality. Timers can be set per burner, temperatures adjusted with a swipe or tap, and other task-specific features accessed, all within the same active area.
GESTURES' IN THE AIR.
In addition to touch, the embedded camera array unlocks in-air gesture tracking, allowing “grab,” “move,” and “scroll” control without direct contact. Because when you're mid-recipe with messy hands, sometimes a wave is better than a swipe.
GESTURES' IN THE AIR.
In addition to touch, the embedded camera array unlocks in-air gesture tracking, allowing “grab,” “move,” and “scroll” control without direct contact. Because when you're mid-recipe with messy hands, sometimes a wave is better than a swipe.
Image by Nix Fisch
IMPACT
A FULL-STACK DESIGN.
This project was a large undertaking for one person. Spanning a comprehensive scope, I had the opportunity to leverage my existing industrial design skills while diving into UI/UX work, a relatively new area for me. It was a valuable glimpse into designing a multifaceted, integrated product with a complex interplay of overlapping systems, all combined in a non-traditional form.
IMPACT
A FULL-STACK DESIGN.
This project was a large undertaking for one person. Spanning a comprehensive scope, I had the opportunity to leverage my existing industrial design skills while diving into UI/UX work, a relatively new area for me. It was a valuable glimpse into designing a multifaceted, integrated product with a complex interplay of overlapping systems, all combined in a non-traditional form.
