Cook-net
Open kitchen design solution
Overview
Dormitory residents struggle to cook majority meals due to lack of utensils or stove features e.g. steamed vegetables. Cooknet is an open kitchen sustainable solution for dormitory environment that allows steam cooking, tea making and crepes/gözleme/pancake making for single and multiple users.
Challenge
How might we provide most possible utensils and cooking area in a limited dormitory space?
Role
User Research , storyboarding, sketching, prototyping, user testing
Tools
Rhino, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator
Project Collaborators
Vestel and 3 group members
Year
2019
Desk Research Outcomes
Utensils overflow
Students have to own all different utensils for different cooking practices.
Multi-purpose utensils.
Easy changes
Re-done appliances have easy changeable parts for increasing functionality.
User friendly switch between cooking practices.
Limited space
Dorms have limited space for each student to store all their utensils
Solution that allows students to share utensils
User Observations
We observed cooking practices in dormitories and evaluated loop holes in each step, this helped inform design features and functionalities of our product further down the process.
Utensils
Using fork for flipping, same pan for 2 meals
Space
Two other students left when they saw one person in kitchen
Stove space
When there is one frying pan on stove there is no room for another pot/pan
Attention
User has to be attentive throughout cooking in order not to burn
The user suggested a scenario in which all the steps of the process are easily managed in one small area, preferably even done in less steps than ordinary process. She also imagined a perfect scenario where all the pancakes were cooked evenly with equal heat distribution and same size.
Design Objectives
Design a solution that allows users to cook multiple meals using same utensils. Moreover, a design that helps more than one user to use at one time while still incorporating both big pots/pans and small utensils.
Compact
User friendly
Shared
Multi-purpose
Easy to switch
Biomimicry
We started off ideation through the technique of biomimicry. Finding design solutions inspired through natural design found in our surroundings.
Our main inspiration turned out to be the Moon Jellyfish. They don’t move through water simply by using jet propulsion. Instead, they create complex vortex rings in the wake of their motion that allow them propel themselves forward. Cracking the code to how jellyfish create these currents that help it move in more than one direction had the potential to inform the ideas for this project.
Ideation
We started off sketching scenarios wise e.g. breakfast at dorm with 3 users and this way through contextualising the product we were able to ideate the design, functionality and design details as well.
Prototyping
Design iterations based on user testing feedbacks, from cardboard prototypes, depending on success of different product features and functionality. We tested various versions of design forms for handles, pots, base, filters and user interface.
Storyboard
01
Modules come together in the following format top to bottom: insulator plate, coil, fan, thermostat, connectors. Handles are attached according to user preference. Allowing personalisation.
02
Tea making: User places the preferred mesh on the bottom side of the cap using click and lock mechanism. Cap is then tightened to the cooking cup
03
Steam cooking can be done for single user or a larger group by transforming the modules for bigger cooking cup. The mesh with the wider holes is used on the cup with food and then flipped over the water cup.
04
Pancakes, crepes, gözleme can be made by combining the three modules and using the widest cooking cup. Silicon handles provide for easy grip and safety.
05
Multiple users and multiple modules are compatible with the product. The interface becomes the hub when upgrading to new modules.
06
The modules are divided in two sections: one for the connectors and one for the electrical parts. Hence user need not to open the whole product for repairing. Handles can also be repaired individually. Cups are stackable for storing in limited cabinets at dorms.
Design Features
Handle
Handles are screwed upon first time use, according to need 1/2 handles are fixed. Silicon grips allow user safety while handling cups
Technical Details
View other works
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