User-Centric Hand &
Stand Mixer Design

Project Guidelines

Identify a user need and design a product that addresses this need within an established brand.

Problem Statement

Create a user-centric kitchen mixer that serves as both a stand and hand mixer, ensuring it is lightweight, easy to store, and ergonomically designed.

Timeline

1-semester (10 weeks)

Identifying
User Needs

Identified elderly or disabled bakers who trust the KitchenAid brand and need a kitchen mixer that is lighter weight, easier to store, and accessible.

Uncovering a
Gap in the Market

Researched current kitchen mixers and identified a gap for a multi-functional tool that combines both stand and hand mixer capabilities.

Current Product Pain Points

Analyzed current KitchenAid stand and hand mixers, pinpointing key pain points users face, such as heaviness and difficulty storing, which guided the redesign process

Initial Sketches

Sketched various design solutions to address user pain points by exploring ergonomic integrations of stand and hand mixer functionalities.

First 3D Explorations

Translated sketches into initial foam core 3D models, allowing for a more realistic exploration of scale, proportion, and form.

Concept Refinement through Foam Models

Based on 2D Illustrator renders, carved foam models to explore body and handle designs for both aesthetics and ergonomics.

2D Render
Iterations

Developed 2D side view iterations of the mixer’s body and handle in Adobe Illustrator, using a motor silhouette to ensure ergonomic and technical compliance.

Refining
Foam Models

Incorporating research, sketches, and earlier models, created a refined foam model of the collapsible stand and detachable hand mixer design.

CAD Model:
Final Design

Modeled the final design in CAD, incorporating custom beaters for improved mixing performance and emphasizing both functionality and aesthetic refinement.

Final Full-Scale Model

Created a high-quality, full-scale model of the stand and hand mixer components, highlighting the design's improved ergonomics in a non-functional representation.

New Product Task Analysis

Sketched a task analysis based on the updated design, illustrating how the integrated stand and hand mixer enhances functionality and product features.