A space efficient dish drying rack
Industrial Design - IHA contest entry
The dish drying rack is the largest product that is consistently found occupying counter-top space in kitchens. Sales show that it is an essential product, but its size can limit and disrupt users’ work flow in the kitchen. The goal of this product is to maximize available working space in kitchens by reducing the presence of the dish drying rack.
4 month project
Design challenge:
Find a solution to maximize available working space in kitchens by reducing the presence of the dish drying rack.
IKEA
What makes a good kitchen? - Initial research
User persona
Current available products
Concept generation
Sketches were not quite working when trying to imagine how things would move in relation to one another....
But kinematic models helped
Inspired by Theo Jansen & Robert Van Embricqs
Then a mockup was tested in different homes
By turning the rack into a flat surface when it is not in use, more space is made available to the user.
The utensil cup was also integrated unto the collapsible parts of the rack in order to keep the utility of the product within the same object.
ALESSI inspired aesthetic - Simple, elegant, playful, decorative...
Final solution
Rack:
Can be used as a rack when it is open, and as a drying mat or working space when it is closed.
Mat:
Alternating thickness, to allow ventilation under dishes and lock the rack in place while it is being used
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