Reimagining Dishwashing: Simplifying steps, Enhancing Efficiency, and Adding Delight

We conducted in-depth research, including interviews and observations of users in their homes, to uncover key pain points and opportunities for improvement. Insights from this research informed our design direction, leading to the development of prototypes that integrated innovative features like soap dispensing and adaptable scrubbing surfaces. Through multiple iterations and consumer feedback, we refined our design to ensure it met user needs while maintaining practical usability.

Dishwashing can be tedious, messy, and inefficient. Current tools often require multiple steps, struggle with stuck-on food, and fail to bring any joy to the task, making it the #2 most hated household chore. In collaboration with Procter & Gamble, me and four fellow design students were tasked with designing a user-centered dishwashing implement over a 10-week period. Our goal: streamline the process, enhance versatility, and bring moments of joy to an everyday chore.

Deliverable:

A consumer-approved prototype with soap dispensing, adaptable scrubbing surfaces, and ergonomic design

Challenge

Balancing Familiarity with Innovation

How might we incorporate innovative features while maintaining designs that feel familiar and user-friendly?

ENsuring Versatility

How might we create a tool that adjusts seamlessly to different types of dishwashing challenges?

Alignment with Business Goals

How might we design a solution that improves usability and complements other products in the portfolio?

Approach

Consumer Interviews & Insights

  1. Investigated existing household cleaning tools to understand what makes them effective and appealing. Key factors: versatility in tasks and ease of use.

  2. Explored handwashing solutions and general cleaning mechanisms to identify opportunities for innovation.

  3. Researched emerging technologies to inspire new design ideas.

Research & Discovery

  1. Conducted three rounds of user interviews to gain diverse perspectives.

  2. Visited participants’ homes to observe their dishwashing routines and challenges.

  3. Facilitated on-site sessions where users interacted with prototypes and participated in structured activities to uncover key values and pain points.

  4. Focused on understanding the tensions users experience and what they prioritize in a tool.

Consumer Journey Map

Insights & Design requirements

  1. Analyzed user feedback to identify key tensions and generate actionable insights.

  2. Developed design requirements based on these insights to guide the ideation process.

  3. Brainstormed multiple design directions with the team and refined requirements to align with user needs and project goals.

Prototyping

  1. Created multiple prototypes to test various design concepts.

  2. Ensured all prototypes were of similar fidelity to gather unbiased user feedback.

  3. Facilitated user interactions with prototypes to evaluate comfort, usability, and accessibility.

Testing & Validation

  1. Conducted tests to ensure prototypes were functional and reproducible.

  2. Evaluated key features for feasibility and alignment with user expectations.

  3. Iterated on designs based on testing results to finalize a refined solution.

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