OXO Egg Timer
Industrial design Branding
This solo project aimed to design a time-keeping device that reflects the brand, OXO’s philosophies both functionally and aesthetically.
My goal was to design a reliable, easy-to-use boiled egg timer that was strikingly OXO.
Background: What makes boiling eggs difficult?
Two variables: Water temperature & time
According to the chefs at Epicurious, eggs get placed into the pot after it comes to a rolling boil.
Results can vary drastically based on a few seconds difference.
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4 minutes: tender egg whites with a runny soft-boiled yolk
5 minutes: firm egg whites with a runny yolk
6 minutes: firm egg whites with a gooey yolk
8 minutes: firm egg whites with a fully set but jammy yolk
10 minutes: firm egg whites with a firm pale yolk that’s just a bit soft in the center
12 minutes: firm egg whites with a firm hard-boiled yolk
14 minutes: firm egg whites with a crumbly, dry pale yolkext goes here
↳ Project insights: My design should incorporate a way to track the water temperature and time.
Currently, there are two methods for boiling eggs. The first is using a heat-sensitive, color-changing timer (thermochromic pigments react to the increasing temperatures).
Pros: Accurate results, easy to read.
Cons: You can’t walk away from the pot to read it.
The second is by timing with any regular clock or timer.
Pros: Easy to read, easy to use
Cons: Requires user to know corresponding cook times beforehand.
↳ Project insights: My design should
Notify the user when the eggs are ready, even if they are not watching the pot.
Offer predetermined cook times so the user doesn’t have to guess or try to remember them each time.
Opportunities in the market
Brand Analysis
OXO is famously known for its efforts towards universal design, which means designing products for the widest range of people possible. Their products champion thoughtful design, innovative features, comfort, and dependability.
After analyzing a few of their existing products, I found that OXO generally uses round, approachable forms. They intentionally use CMF to highlight points where the user might interact with the object. I kept these in mind for the next phases of my design development.
Final design
Instructions
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil.
Place the heat-sensitive temperature reader with the eggs into the pot.
Turn the dial to your desired level of doneness (1 for soft-boiled, 5 being hard-boiled).
Once ready, the timer will chime.
