Malmö University: Product Design
Degree project
Degree project
2022
Introduction
A more attractive security is my degree project from 2022 in Product Design at Malmö University. It consists of a smoke detector that has been developed through design theories to be more appreciated by users.
The origin of the project came from the interest in approaching two different approaches - function and aesthetics. The aim was to create a product that increases the incentives and the will to have a functioning fire protection at home.
Today, 1 in 10 Swedish homes lacks functioning fire protection. If all homes would have working fire alarms, as many as 4 out of 10 fire-related deaths could be prevented.
The inspiration came from designer fire extinguishers and fire blankets. These have through their design succeeded in giving products that are otherwise seen as purely functional to act more as interior details. Products that people need can provide a much greater satisfaction to the user by also being designed to be wanted.
Aesthetics could therefor provide a higher value than the products original function and become a decisive factor for acceptance and attention on an otherwise crowded and stagnant market.
Products that people need can provide a much greater satisfaction to the user by also being designed to be wanted
Process
A group of informants was set up and interviews were conducted to gain an understanding and base of what was conceived as aesthetically pleasing and what wasn’t.
To explore the inherent challenges of the project, interviews with informants were used to gain an insight and base into several people’s views on aesthetics, interior design and fire protection. These interviews, as well as the European requirements standard for fire alarms created a base for further development.
Natural materials, small size and soft shapes were the most sought after properties for the design. The demand was for a product that was easy to install and could be more easily integrated into their existing interior design than the existing types of fire alarms. As one user put it - ”There is something about the plastic in fire alarms that feels flimsy and cheap. You probably don't have anything else in your interior made of that plastic."
The informants wishes and dislikes were condensed and reformed into a list of requirements. These were sorted into the different categories Size, Material, Cost, Mounting, Appearance, Battery and Interaction. The most frequently occurring wish were small size and the qualitative appearance of natural material. The color should be light and the smoke alarm should not be perceived as a possible microphone.
Collection of quick sketches for exploration of form and concepts.
Sketch & Design
The development of the shape consisted of a large number of drawn and physical sketches to iteratively circle in a suitable solution. The sketches were boiled down to concepts were one was later selected and combined with the best features of the other concepts.
From multiple iterations, the final design was the solution that best solved the informants’ wishes and experience of the original problem with unpopular smoke alarms.
Product
To be both visible but offer a clean and stripped-down look, a signal light was placed inside the fire alarm instead of on the outside. The light can thus be seen through reflection, even if the diode itself is not shown. The electronics are simulated to test the fit of the components within the shell.
The form is based on a softly shaped base in solid light wood due to the informants request of bright colors and natural materials gave them a more qualitative feeling.
Mounting is primarily done with double-sided tape, but magnetic mounting is also possible. Battery changes are avoided by having a battery life of ten years, which is same as the maximum recommended lifetime for a fire alarm.
To test or silence the alarm, just press the white button that makes up the plate in the middle. The button was deliberately made large to make it easier to interact with by reaching with the help of any longer object, even from the floor, while keeping the appearance clean from other controls.
The informants requested a variety in the appearances which the fire alarm would be available in. The product is therefor intended to be offered in ash or oak, each in a natural oiled or white glazed finish. This effectively offers four different looks with only two types of material.
Presentation
This video summarizes the project from inspiration to process and product as well
as the thoughts behind it. The video is filmed, produced and voiced by me. For further information of the project there is a full essay available for reading, or better yet - contact me!
as the thoughts behind it. The video is filmed, produced and voiced by me. For further information of the project there is a full essay available for reading, or better yet - contact me!