Micro Kitchen5023 Project B Nick Gingerich

Lindsey Wilson CollegeProfessor Chris Quin

December 2014

IndexPart 1Project Brief

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Visualization & Conception

User Testing

Revision

3

4

13

16

Part 5Finla Comps 22

Part 6Conclusion 25

Part 1Project Brief

New York City—it offers everything at your finger-tips. But like many metropolitan areas across the globe, those opportunities are also making our world smaller. Increasing urbanization and popula-tion growth are bringing us closer together—literally. The home size is decreasing while rent and mort-gages are increasing. Even so, that modest space shouldn’t equate to a reduction in functionality, living standards or a reflection of personal style.

In this porject, I have designed a kitchen that makes great use of space, and connectivity. A multifacited design that embodies the perfect Micro-Kitchen.

Part 2Visualization & Conception

- Inspiration

To begin the creative process I started looking at examples of tiney kitchens in many envirments like: Tiney Houses, Boats, and R.V.’s.

I also drew insperation from modular de-sign, which I think is best exemplified by Lego.

Part 2Visualization & Conception

- Layout

Here are the front and top veiws of the kitchen layout. This kitchen is designed to fit in a space 7ft. wide, 8 ft. tall, and 25 inches deep, the average size in a small urban apartment,

Part 2Visualization & Conception

- Counter Screen

Because all of the appliances in the kitchen will be managed through a single control panel it is imporatnt to establish a panel layout and basic icons.

This is the praliminary flow chart. Visually mapping out all of the functions of the appli-ances, and flow of usability. This chart will evolve with test-ing and revision.

Part 2Visualization & Conception

- Flowchart

Part 2Visualization & Conception

- Low Fidelity Wireframes

Low Fidelity wireframes not only pro-vide the basic visual structer to the kitchen control concept, but also a starting point for testing.

Part 3Visualization & Conception

-User Testing

All six low-fidelity wireframes were laid out on a table and four tester were each given a task to accomplish. Individu-ally each tester attempted to complete their task and after their attempt they were asked for feedback.

Name: JimAge: 65Profession: AdministratorTask: Boil WaterError: Did not return to home screen between range and sink controls.Comments: None

Name: ChristinaAge: 52Profession: Social Work Task: Bake a PieError: NoneComments: Display is slightly con-fusing, lots of options, not sure what is for oven or microwave. There should be a delay start option on oven and dishwasher.

Name: LizAge: 37Profession: EducatorTask: Microwave PopcornError: NoneComments: When the home but-ton is used does that shut off the appliance automatically?Comments: None

Name: DavidAge: 9Profession: NoneTask: Wash DishesError: Did not select a setting on washer control before pressing start.Comments: Dishwasher at his house has a pre-programmed setting, just load and press start. Maybe this should be and option with this design as well.

Part 4 Revision

- Medium Fidelity wireframes

A

B

C

D

Here I have wireframes of the home screen in various states: A. is at rest and with no active applianceB. depicts the oven icon as it may look in a rollover or hover state C. represents how an icon may behave when being tapped D. is the expansion of the icon as it moves from the home screen to an active window

Oven Microwave

After user testing I decided that It would be wise to break the oven and microwave functions from the same screen. Because both functions are housed in the same appliance, I thought it best to keep one Icon for both on the home screen, and make the first screen in the activated appli-ance a select function screen.

Part 4 Revision

- Additional Notes

You may notice in the Medium Fidelity wire-frames that I eliminated the home icon, this is because I was considering a drag and drop option to exit the active window. This con-cept was scrapped in the final stage of devel-opment.

Part 4Revision

- Revised Flowchart

After feedback and prototyping this flow chart rep-resents how the final interface will work. Now there is not only navigation from just the home screen to the active appliance windows, but between the applianc-es as well. Additionally the microwave and oven are stand alone features, and no longer nested together.

Part 5 Final Product

ConclusionFor this project I was tasked with designing a Micro-Kitchen. A small and smart kitchen that is well suited for the urban environment. By drawing inspiration from modular design, and non home use kitchen setups, I had the beginnings of concept. While applying the practic-es and principles of User Experience design I refined that concept into a simple design that connects all of the appliances through a single terminal. After user testing, creating a proto-type interface, and additional feedback from others, I continued to tweak the design. I am confident in the results of my efforts and think that if further developed It could be a great kitchen.