Pour kettle
A one-cup kettle for Brightwell Home (sample): seven models, 22 weeks, card mock-up to factory sample.
The brief
A one-cup kettle for small kitchens that boils 0.4 litres in under two minutes and pours without dripping.
Client
Brightwell Home, small appliances (sample)
My part
Concept to factory sample
Models
7 in 22 weeks
Status
On sale since spring (sample)
Pour kettle
A one-cup kettle for small kitchens that boils 0.4 litres in under two minutes and pours without dripping.
Client
Brightwell Home, small appliances (sample)
My part
Concept to factory sample
Models
7 in 22 weeks
Status
On sale since spring (sample)
cm
M1 Card
How big?
Week 2
M2 Foam
Space on the counter
Week 3
M3 Foam
Grip and balance
Week 4
M4 Print
Lid, spout and pour
Week 7
M5 Rig
Boil time and safety
Week 10
M6 Paint
Colour and finish
Week 13
M7 Sample
Shipped
Week 22
Pour kettle for Brightwell Home (sample): seven models in 22 weeks, card mock-up to factory sample. All models drawn to the same scale, ruler in centimetres.
What each model changed
Model by model, in the order they were made. Test figures are samples.
M1
The first card body was 0.8 litres. Holding it over a mug showed it was too big for one cup, so the brief became 0.4 litres.
M2
On a real counter the foam block sat under the wall cupboards with room to pour. The footprint was fixed at 15 cm.
M3
The handle moved 12 mm lower after six people lifted it full of sand: the old one tipped forward.
M4
The printed lid showed the steam vent pointed at the hand. It moved to the spout side.
M5
The rig boiled 0.4 litres in 1 minute 50 seconds and switched off dry in 9 seconds (sample test).
M6
Three colours were painted; buyers chose the deep blue, with a matt body and a gloss lid.
M7
The factory sample measured within 0.2 mm of the drawings. Two changes to the switch spring, then sign-off.
See the other projects
Every case study is drawn as its line-up, model by model.