Overview
Minor Figures is an alternative milk brand seeking to develop an oat milk dispensing machine. Intended for barista use in cafe environment, it is to replace disposable milk cartons.
A prototype, including internal mechanism and electronics, has
been developed by an external engineering team. The client is after a casing concept design to create a look that aligns with their brand and reflects the innovative technology of the machine.
I was responsible for the concept design, from initial ideation sketching to colourway development and user interface design.
My contribution
- Concept sketching
- Rendering
- User interface design
- Client presentation
Team
- 1 x Co-founder (UK based)
- 1 x Project Manager
- 2 x Engineers (UK based)
Deliverables
- Concept design presentations
- Concept renders
- Preliminary CAD models
Initial concept
The initial concept features a translucent moulded top and bold graphics. The translucent top is a visual interest that grabs attention and provokes curiosity, giving customers a glimpse of what’s inside the machine. Due to cost and manufacturing complexity, however, this concept was later abandoned.
Colourways & interface design
The client eventually settled for a clean, simple unit fabricated from sheet metal. I developed a range of CFM variations to try and convey a quality, futuristic look and incorporate branding. Meanwhile, user interface concepts were explored using Braun design aesthetics as inspiration.
Final design
The final concept is a clean, minimal unit, with a compact footprint, fully contained electronics and high quality finish for busy cafe environments. The rear end is customer facing, thus is free of hoses, cables and vents while also serving as a canvas for showcasing the client’s brand.
Throughout the project, I worked closely with the client and their engineering team, to ensure the casing design can accomodate the internal mechanism, which continued to be refined.
Images from client: first prototype build & test
Lessons & reflection
The client & engineering team were based overseas, so working remotely on a project like this was a challenge. Although video calls and other online communication did the job, being the same room to review would have made a big difference. Sending samples and prototypes internationally for review also added to the project timeline and costs.
It’s important to involve the engineers early on and maintain collaboration throughout the project, especially when we don’t handle the DFM and manufacturing ourselves. This is so that creative concepts stay grounded in production and budget realities.
Nhu Duong 