Kitchen scale redesign

The assignment was to redesign an existing kitchen scale for the OXO brand, with a specific focus on improving accessibility for people with a visual impairment.

The challenge lay in developing a product that:

• Is intuitive to use without visual support
• Aligns with OXO's brand values (ease of use, simplicity and inclusivity)
• Is suitable for use in a busy kitchen environment
• Offers multisensory feedback (tactile and auditory)

In addition, the design had to be based on extensive research into both existing products and the needs of the target group.

The final result is a redesigned kitchen scale concept specifically aimed at accessible and intuitive use. The design includes, among other things:

• Tactile buttons with clear physical feedback
• A clear separation between the weighing surface and controls
• Auditory and tactile feedback instead of a traditional display
• A form that aids orientation without sight
• Improved positioning and stability of objects on the weighing surface

I carried out this project in a group of 3, where we jointly went through the full design process following a structured design approach. My role within the project:

• Conducting analyses (product analysis, user analysis and brand perception)
• Visualising the brand identity and product graphic of OXO
• Contributing to concept development and innovation opportunities
• Developing ideas through sketches and concepts
• Contributing to the requirements specification and design decisions
• Supporting user research and translating insights into design

• Analysing existing kitchen scales (pains & gains, structure, use)
• Researching the target group (visually impaired) and their needs
• Mapping usage scenarios and pain points
• Generating ideas through sketches and 'how might you' questions
• Developing multiple concepts and selecting via a Harris profile
• Iteratively improving and developing a final concept
• I actively contributed to translating research into concrete design decisions.

The result is a strong response to the assignment because:

• The design specifically addresses the needs of people with a visual impairment
• Multisensory feedback is used (touch and sound)
• The controls are intuitive without reliance on a visual display
• The design aligns with OXO's brand values (inclusive and user-friendly)
• All choices are substantiated with research and testing
• Research can be translated into inclusive design decisions
• Ability to design with a focus on user experience and accessibility
• Complex problems can be analysed and structured
• Ability to collaborate in a design team
• Ability to work iteratively from analysis to concept and final design