Coffee Machine Redesign
RISD ID Design Principles I
The objective of this project was to study an existing product and to redesign it.
I chose the 1979 Mr.Coffee Brewer (MCS 200) as my model.
The first step was to understand how the coffee machine operates. For this, I had to take apart the machine and make an explosion model.
I created an user manual to see if there were any deducible steps, or functions that need to be added.
At this point, I had a good idea of the coffee machines compartment and main functions.
The coffee machine had two main functions:
One, was to brew the actual coffee. Second, was to keep the coffee warm through a heat plate.
So I started, brainstorming and making quick sketches for the coffee machine.
This is my final design. The top switch is for brewing and the bottom switch is for heating. I separated the position of the switches unlike the original Mr.Coffee model, so that the position of the switch was indicative of the function. I made the switches bigger than the original design so that people didn't have to fumble around, considering that many people consume coffee early morning or when they are tired.
The vase was designed so that the grounded coffee bean goes into the bulbous form that is sticking into to the main vessel and when hot water drips from the top, the coffee is made and drops down into the vessel.
Aesthetically speaking, I wanted the coffee vessel to be the main focus, and the rest of the machine to be a 'frame' for the coffee. So I designed the coffee machine so there is a contrast between the rectangular form and the voluptuous coffee pot. The coffee pot resembles a water drop, to reflect the process of making drip coffee.
