Millions of people have difficulties using a kettle, which is among the most dangerous items in terms of accidents in the home. Making such an everyday product accessible to all was the challenge for Alloy Total Product Design when it entered the DBA Inclusive Design Challenge 2001.
After evaluating a number of electric kettles on the market, the design team consulted a group of users: some with severe arthritis and others with visual impairments. The users helped the designers to identify usability problems relating to conventional kettles, electric and otherwise.
As a result, the designers developed a ‘no-pour’ kettle that was easier and safer to use. Subsequently, Alloy has applied inclusive design principles to a number of commercial projects and achieved success in the mainstream market.
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Consumer products, kettles, mainstream market, inclusive design, focus group, safety
Theme: Innovation through inclusive design. Design areas: working lives; domestic lives; urban mobility; leisure and play; communication and care.
