Four factors are shared by kitchen tools, whatever their function. They should be:
- a pleasure to handle.
- safe to use.
- hygienic and therefore easy to clean.
- easy to store.
Here we present three kitchen tools designed by the PDD group for the Swiss firm, Zyliss.
Fast Cut herb tool
This product was a Red Dot award winner in 2012.
Brief
The brief was to reinvent this traditional implement to a very strict budget.
Solution
Following extensive evaluation of samples of existing products, interviews with consumers and analysis of online feedback, the solution was to increase dramatically the number of cutting blades from the normal one to five. They are held within a cutting ball with a soft ergonomic handle, which fits very nicely in the hand.
A rotating top allows the user to either use their palm to manipulate the tool or to rotate the blades by 90 degrees and use the handle depending on which they find most effective and comfortable. The product comes easily apart for washing and then capitalises on the flexibility of plastics to click back together.
The blades took up most of the budget. Manufacturing costs were reduced by the plastics parts being limited to three, the two parts of the ball and the blade cover.
Key insights:
- Easy to clean.
- Ergonomics that cater for very different types of herbs and cutting requirements.
Innovatory features:
- five blades instead of one.
- Cutting ball concept.
- Rotation of the blades to suit different users.
3-in-1 folding grater
Brief
There are many poor quality graters on the market. The brief therefore was to crate a product that would overcome the negativity associated with them at a manageable price.
Solution
Following extensive evaluation of samples of existing products, interviews with consumers and analysis of online feedback, the solution is a folding grater that opens up into a conventional multi-sided box grater, with fine, medium and two way acid-etched blades. It has non-slip feet. A snap joint capitalises on the flexibility of plastics and enables it to be opened up for cleaning. Folded into its protective sleeve it takes up less room when stored.
For the high-end feel, PDD would have liked to use polycarbonate as the plastic however it is banned by EU regulations for products that have contact with food because of BPA content. Instead acrylonitrile butadiene styrene was used. It is considerably cheaper but had the advantage that it helped keep the manufacture within budget given the cost of acid etched blades. They are important for the grater’s effectiveness and thus give the product the edge over its competitors.
The grater was designed by the Hong Kong Studio and manufactured and the plastic and metal parts were manufactured in the same factory in China. This made it possible for the design team to spend time with the manufacturers thereby obtaining the best quality possible.
Key insight:
- The need to create a premium product that would counter the negativity felt towards graters: a product that provided stability and great grating results.
Innovatory features:
- Opening up for cleaning.
- Folding into sleeve for storage.
- Click assembly into traditional box grater.
Swift Dry salad spinner
This product was a Red Dot award winner in 2016. It is available in a large and small size.
Brief
Kitchen tools are a very populated area and usually not very expensive. The client wanted a product that would:
- stand out in a crowded market.
- have manageable costs of manufacture.
Solution
Following extensive evaluation of samples of existing products, interviews with consumers and analysis of online feedback and extensive review of the BOM (bill-of-material), the solution was to create an eye-catchingly vibrant acrylonitrile butadiene styrene green inner basket encased in a sparkling transparent styrene acrylonitrile bowl.
The latter has a non-slip base.
The basket has a spiraling angled contour, which helps to disrupt its contents as it spins, increases the airflow and differentiates its appearance from similar products.
The basket is operated almost effortlessly by pressing the one-touch lever and stopped by pressing a stop button.
The product removes 25% more water than similar products. Manufacturing costs were contained by delivering a reliable mechanism with fewer parts.
Key insight:
- Requirement to outperform the competition at 30% costs.
Innovatory feature:
- Spiraling angled contoured bowl.