BATH ACCESSORY

CASE STUDY / HOME INDUSTRY PRACTICES

From concept development to market launch

Process

Product Overview

Client: Target.

Brand: Opalhouse.

Design firm: CHF, Industries.

Responsibilities: Design director.

Record of sales: A best selling item in Targets Bath Accessory assortment, sold approximatelly 915 weekly units, producing around $9k weekly, for multiple years.

Blush is a hygienic and durable bathroom accessory collection, made from reciblable materials inlcuding glass and metal. It has a chic, southeastern, eclectic design aesthetic. Each element has a unique embossed pattern that is derived from the textile components of the collection, giving it a hand made and collected feel.

Functional attributes inlcude: simple to assemble, set up, use. Easy to clean, dishwasher safe. Separate components can fit a limited sized footprint.

Brand research: Through client workshops/meetings learned the brands mission, its signature value, the brand fundamentals and target user.

Target User for Opalhouse.

The user persona is Teresa, a 24-35 year old woman. Well traveled, artistic and bohemian. Likes to collect and mix unique and crafted objects from around the world. Has a global yet casual and modern aesthetic. Likes products that are functional, easy to clean, durable and that fit her pricepoint. She celebrates the idea of craftsmanship and looks for products that are manufactured in an environmentally responsible way as much as possible.

DISCOVERY PHASE Opportunity Identification

Project brief - design direction, mood board and color palette provided.

Market and trend research:

Conducted an extensive market research to identify and compare existing product in the market that fits this product category, lifestyle, trend, and pricepoint.

Costing targets: Established price & quality relationship.

Schedule: Set up soft and hard deadlines for entire development process.

Material/process research: Visited factories to review their capabilities, compliance, understand technical limitations for design specifications, as well as considerations for hitting target price points.

Environmental considerations: we looked into using pressed and machine blown glass or ceramic for this project. Glass is a durable material that can be recycled, reducing pollution caused by waste. It is also hygienic as it is has a non porous surface, easy to clean. Both are dishwasher safe.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT Initial explorations

Ideation sketches:

Review textile components for pattern direction:

2D CAD explorations. iterations of shapes, patterns and layouts::

Iterations

Existing factory technique samples selected by client during vendor workshop, as references for material and process capabilities from vendor:

Prototyping: Low fidelity models were made to review size, scale, placement of pattern and other design details in order to define the final design.

Technical drawings for glass:

Prototyping AND TESTING

After 2D & 3D explorations, internal reviews and feedback from client, we moved forward with high fidelity appearance models, for evaluation of: scale, ergonomics, aesthetics, functional aspects, color, finish, etc. Sculptures were developed for hand mold production:

Appearance models made with tinted clear resin and ceramic, by factory:

User testing and client feedback:

Received input for product's usability, ergonomics, aesthetics, scale of pattern, embossing and relief, comfort, capacity, flow of liquid, stability, weight, color, finish, etc.