LEOTUS A/C

LEOTUS A/C is a modular home air-conditioner that offers smarter energy consumption. It will benefit users by the restored use of windows, easier installation, modern aesthetics and quiet operation. The double loop system separates its working parts into two units linked together by a connector. The outdoor unit generates a cold temperature while the indoor unit stores and dispenses cold air inside.

KOR ® Vida Hydration Vessel

The KOR Vida reusable stainless steel water bottle was designed as an alternative to disposable aluminum and plastic water bottles. Featuring a clean, ergonomic design, Vida was built to harmonize with KOR’s existing and new product portfolio, and it was designed to be appropriate for all users in all environments, whether at the office, gym, home or anywhere in between.

Cloud Nine

The Cloud Nine line of outdoor furniture intentionally sits slightly lower and closer to the ground than most outdoor furniture to enhance the user’s experience of feeling grounded. Its use of an elastomeric fabric tautly upholstered to the futuristically shaped aluminum frames heightens the sense of total comfort and relaxation as if floating on a cloud.

The Cloud Nine Collection from the new Richard Frinier Collection for Brown Jordan inspire the desire for a hurried world to slow things down and take the time to dream. For his encore collaboration with Brown Jordan, Richard Frinier asked, "What would happen if you had the time to be still and allowed your mind to drift . . . would it feel like you were on cloud nine?"  From this thoughtful question, the design emerged that he simply called Cloud Nine.

Moen Loft Bathroom Workstation

Moen Loft is an integrated bathroom workstation primarily targeted at first-time home buyers and remodelers who live in small urban spaces, have a fast life pace and want an easy solution. This all-in-one bathroom workstation, along with free installation service provided by Moen, makes the purchasing and installation experience totally hassle free. Features such as a customizable shelf system, water-saving faucet, integrated power outlet and easy access ‘P-trap” make it suitable for small urban living spaces and easy to use and maintain. A selection of colors allows customers to match their decorating scheme.

Nestr Sustainable Modular Bedding System

Nestr is a healthy lifestyle and behavior changer: It is a modular bedding system that facilitates customers’ making sustainable choices and minimizing environmental impact without compromising comfort, hygiene, or size. Molded bamboo spring structures replace the bed furniture, box springs, and metal springs of the regular mattress. A five inch natural latex foam pad sits on top of the bamboo structure to give comfort.

The modular system allows the changing of the bed size by adding an extra Nestr rather than disposing of the whole bed and purchasing a new one. When the modular units are not needed any longer, they can be used as outdoor furniture. A 3D spacer polyester fabric cover allows easy ventilation, and can be washed for a healthy sleeping environment. Since there is no commingled material, Nestr can be easily recycled after its life cycle.

Funktion Portable Skate Helmet

The FunKtion portable skate helmet was inspired by key findings based on observations that revealed a major unmet need. The research also revealed that simplicity was the key aesthetic of the true skate culture. The helmet is fastened and unfastened like a corset: The user pulls a bungee-like cord, allowing the plates to interlock and creating a tight and impact-protective shell around the head.

This collapsible skate helmet is for street skaters and pure skate enthusiasts who are looking for portability and style. It was inspired by key findings based on observation, revealing this major unmet need. The research also revealed the demand for simplicity was the key aesthetic of the true skate culture; explorations of skate culture and fashion led to the design.

Safe Agua

Through the collaboration between Designmatters at Art Center College of Design and Latin American NGO, Un Techo para mi País, The Safe Agua Project addresses the quotidian challenges of safe water access for Chile's poorest families living in slum developments (or campamentos) on the outskirts of Santiago.

The practical challenge for Safe Agua was to design concrete solutions for utilizing, transporting and storing water for families living in campamentos without running water. The extensive two-week field research undertaken by a team of 3 lead faculty and a multidisciplinary team of 12 students, became paramount in gaining a richer understanding of the challenges and opportunities inherent to the project. This immersion in Chile allowed the students and faculty to gain experience with the communities and make personal emotional connections.  Throughout the project the U.S.-based team continued to validate their design process through close contact with Chilean partners and the community of end users.

Safe Agua prototypes have been successfully field-tested with the families of the campamentos.. The Innovation team of Un Techo is currently working with government and corporate partners to scale and distribute these solutions across Chile.

Viewed as an example for the execution of socially driven design principles, The Safe Agua Project demonstrates the far-reaching potential for specifically tailored design research methodologies, collaborative processes, and creative solutions to achieve further relevant successes globally.