Overview
Kaittle, inspired by the Japanese word “Kaitai” (disassembly), is a modular and repairable kettle designed to promote the simplicity of the repair and maintenance process.
Role
Research
Conceptualization
Execution
Exhibited
New Designers 2018
[July 2018]
Ravensbourne Show
[July 2018]
Project Type
Design Research
Product Design
Design Thinking
Problem Space
The difficulty of repairing a modern product is teaching our users to blindly throw away repairable goods. In turn, this is causing a massive sustainability issue.
Approach
Kaittle focuses on impacting this issue through behavioural change by encouraging users to take apart the products and attempt to repair and maintain them.
Project Outcome
Kaittle challenges the idea of irreparable household appliances and encourages users to maintain and repair their products. Focusing on a simple everyday product provides a fertile ground to develop a more sustainable routine or ritual. In time this can change the user’s behaviour towards discarding repairable products.
How it works
Due to the seamless design and the induction heating technology, Kaittle is dishwasher friendly, hence, allowing for limescale removal and a longer-lasting product.
Made to Last
The basic stackable design means that every component can be removed and replaced, minimising waste.
Features and build
Kaittle is built to provide an intuitive and simple experience. To do so Kaittle uses induction heating technology to boil water, allowing for the main body to be free of electronics and dishwasher friendly. Furthermore, the materials and finishes make Kaittle durable while still providing a pleasant experience. The handle is made of Bendywood® and CNC milled hardwood and the main body and spout form heat-resistant LDPE.
Research
Design for the dump
The way we are designing products has changed. We are creating unrepairable products to reduce costs and maximize profits. The user is trained to blindly dispose of repairable products instead of even wondering where they end up. As expected this is terribly unsustainable mentality is causing a huge impact on our planet’s health.
What are the barriers to repair?
Design for Disassembly
However, we have the power to change this. Consumers want products that they can repair, products that last longer. Taking a deeper look into the design process of our everyday appliances we can see that a few small changes can have a huge impact on user behaviour.
- Using Fewer Parts
- Common and Similar Fasteners
- Avoid Glue
- Open Access
- Reversible Friction Fit
- Provide Instructions
Process
Sketching & Prototyping
I used a combination of rapid prototyping techniques to create both “looks-like” models and crude functional rigs. This helped me visualise and refine the form while still testing ergonomics and comfort.
Experimentation & Testing
I conducted a series of tests to understand the water shift balance and refine the form to contain the desired volume of water.
Project Report
Explore the project report for complete research analysis and process documentation.
