purified water from air
User Research
Industrial Design
Human Machine Interaction
Brand Design
Adobe
CC
Figma
Shapr
3D
Rhino
Blender
I designed and constructed a dehumidifier that not only reduced humidity but also provided potable water, aiming to solve the issue of water scarcity around the globe. Sketching, prototyping and testing styrofoam models, with users helped me arrive at the final product.
The design of the dehumidifier borrows inspiration from 'jali' patterns in ancient Indian palaces that were used to minimize the sun and rain, as well as provide cooling through passive ventilation.
This was my thesis project at SCAD.
Groundwater is depleting at an alarming rate, taking up to 1,400 years to replenish the water we consume. Currently, 2.2 billion people - one-third of the urban population - lack daily access to safe drinking water.
5
Research Papers
6
Urban Households
340+
Survey Responses
Product positioning across different purifiers used in a household revealed a gap in the sharable/ lifestyle product space
Naturalistic observation gave insights into consumer behavior and ergonomics
On ground research of households highlighted users' water consumption patterns
Through a detailed research on consumer behaviors and their water consumption patterns in an urban setting following insights emerged:
- Earth's water quantity remains unchanged: Over millions of years the quantity of water is same, yet accessibility is a growing challenge
- Air Water Generation systems: This system helps retract moisture from air and needs only 20% surface humidity
- Water filtration is time consuming and costly: Lack of trust in government water supply makes purification a costly, weekly task, cluttering homes with multiple containers
Using a cluster map generated from survey feedback, I identified three key user profiles representing the majority of urban household users. These personas provided valuable insights, helping to narrow the target audience and shape the product's design direction
She is a B.Com graduate filled with energy and dreams about her future. She likes tracking her water intake to manage her fitness goals
She does not trust the water source provided to her in public because she cannot see its origin. She has a positive influence on decisions taken by her friends and her father
He is a service analyst at an IT firm and is highly goal oriented. He is frustrated by falling sick drinking unregulated water at home
He desires for an appliance that appeals to his modern aesthetics and brings surety in his daily consumption of water
She is a housewife who runs her own business and also looks after the health of the family. She monitors safe water consumption of the family
She is an advocate but tough to influence. Indian heritage and cultural influences inspire her
These images provided cultural inspiration for the form and materials, drawing influence from the 'Hawa Mahal' monument. Known as the palace of winds, its design helped shape distinctive patterns and elements that would resonate with users
Drawing inspiration from the mood board, I sketched various concepts over different forms the water could be poured into a vessel, wall-mounted units and single-container refilling stations. Out of these the following sketches stood out
A triangular pattern inspired the water flow design
A transparent section displays unit health, while a centering groove aligns the nozzle with the container opening
A four-sided filling station with multiple access points and takeaway containers
After selecting a design direction, I constructed a prototype using styrofoam and pink foam to conduct ergonomic tests based on task analysis. These were the takeaways:
Limited space for filling large bottles was identified
Takeaway container unit design found to be ergonomic
Unit height ensured accessibility, but usage was limited to one direction
I observed a unidirectional filling approach, which inspired sketches based on mood board aesthetics. I envisioned a standalone unit for kitchen and living room settings with varying container forms and filter sizes. Through iterations, I identified stability concerns, which I confirmed with a prototype
A sleek standalone form with two takeaway containers placed on either side
A tapered form for containers with detachable filters that are easy to clean
Possibility of stabilized stand for the form
Using same materials I created a prototype for a standalone unit with two takeaway containers and a larger window for filling other containers. Task analysis revealed the following:
Minimal UI enabled effortless single-arm operation
Sleek design allowed easy reorientation, but the base lacked stability
The takeaway containers fit seamlessly in various household locations with a compact footprint
Tatva means the purity or element of your environment
- The simplified UI helps to control the room humidity and when not in use displays the quantity of water in the containers and quantity of water saved through air water generation
- Logo and typeface was designed to accentuate the minimal three stroke pattern generated from the facades of 'Hawa Mahal'
Logo Variations
Pattern Derived from 'Hawa Mahal'
Colours
Interface Icons
Studio photograph of the final prototype showcasing the transparency of the body and patterned vents, 3D printed using polyjet printer
Studio photograph 2 showing the takeaway container situated in its side
Studio photograph 3 showing all the containers and the product body
In situ render of the product in a household setting
Close up render showcasing the interface panel of the product
Close up render of the takeaway container in use on a dining table
Exploded view render showcasing all the parts designed for manufacturability
Earthy, Teal and Lime Mint color options which were extracted from survey insights and initial persona development
- Efficient Product Ecosystem: Designed a streamlined ecosystem for Tatva, including a device interface that provides real-time monitoring and control of water purification from air and status of water filled in its containers
- User-Centered Design Solutions: Conducted extensive user research and testing to create intuitive user interfaces and ergonomic product designs, ensuring accessibility and ease of use for diverse user groups
- Sustainable and Functional Design: Delivered a final product concept that combines advanced purification technology with eco-friendly materials and aesthetic appeal, promoting sustainability without compromising functionality
