The Brief
How might we design a time-keeping device for the brand, OXO?
San Jose State University, 2018
The Product
The OXO Egg Timer is a timer that offers two user-friendly methods for boiling eggs.
Design goals
My goal was to design a device that is strikingly OXO, while upholding their values of universal design and ergonomics.
Phase 01: Concept exploration and selection
In this phase, I explored possible forms and functions for time-keeping devices.
Concepts that stood out to me involved keeping track of time in the kitchen in a way that is easy to read and use.
As a result, I chose to move forward with an egg timer concept.
Sam Farber started OXO after seeing his wife, Betsey, struggle to hold her peeler because of arthritis. The picture above displays OXO’s redesign.
Phase 02: Research—Understanding OXO’s roots
OXO is 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.
Phase 02: Research—Understanding brand language through existing forms and other subtle details
From examining their existing products, I found that OXO utilizes generally soft and approachable forms. They intentionally use CMF to highlight points of interaction between the user and product, or where the product interacts with its space (eg. silicone at the point of impact for bowls).
Phase 02: Research—Market research + success criteria
After researching the market for existing methods of egg timing, I knew my design had to be easy to read, easy to handle, and accurate, and decided to combine traditional clock-timing with a heat-sensitive timer (the most accurate method for boiling eggs).
Breaking it down—understanding components and housing sizes of a timer to apply to my design.
Phase 03: Concept refinement
I applied my research findings to refine my concept:
Comfortability
Reliability
Use of CMF at touch-points
From here, I decided to go with a tactile, low-tech, hourglass-shaped design.
Making it—bringing orthographics to high density yellow foam —> RenShape
