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Chandradhar Singh Rathore |
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Product Design
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cdrathore@gmail.com |
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Two Door Frost Free Refrigerator
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Guide Shashank Mehta |
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Sponsonr Whirlpool of India Ltd., Gurgaon
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My project brief was to design the next range of the existing ‘mastermind’ series of the two door frost free refrigerator. Initially, the focus was on new aesthetic propositions for the existing product, but as I progressed further, I questioned the construction type of the conventional product itself. Consequently, my focus then changed to creating a new product type.
Due to close competition the key driver for this project was cost leadership. Thus, my focus was on generating innovative solutions of high value at low cost. I conducted consumer research, competitor analyses through retail visits, ergonomic studies and understood Whirlpool’s Visual Brand Language. Next came the ideation phase in which I focused on innovative cost effective aesthetic solutions. I had the opportunity to participate in a collocation workshop involving representatives from marketing, manufacturing, technology and design wherein I summarized all my ideation.
My final deliverables included prototypes of product externals (Variants of Pillar type, Trinity Type and Corner Cap constructions with both thick and thin doors) and product internals comprising internal space management, fitment and feature details and feature aesthetics along with final door schematic.
Working in a corporate environment taught me how different departments work together to build up one product. As a designer, I learned both how to collaborate and how and when to take an independent stand. I acquired exposure to consumer psychology, production constraints, cost issues, concept detailing, model making, multi-tasking and managing an entire process. Dealing with complexity allowed me to acquire grounding in the realities of design. |
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