Flume

Synopsis

In partnership with LiveTrends, I was assigned the challenge of creating a frictionless, fun, and innovative solution for cultivating houseplants that aligns with their current product range. My objective was to develop a plant pot designed specifically for beginners, integrating a straightforward self-watering mechanism with design features that engage and captivate users throughout their plant care experience.

Time

April 2024

Skills

Visualization

Prototyping

CMF

Duration

1 Month

Project Goal

Identify design opportunities for the LiveTrends portfolio of products that demonstrate a frictionless, fun, innovative and entry level way to grow and sustain houseplants for mass market consumers from all walks of life.

Common First Time Experiences With Plant Care

User decides to grow a plant for the first time. They are concerned about killing the plant but decide to try anyways.
It goes well for the user the first week or so, and they are actually really enjoying watering their plant everyday.
The user leaves for about a week on a work trip and comes home to a wilted, dead plant. They are defeated and upset at themselves.
The user gives up on growing plants because of this experience and wonders why they even tried in the first place.

"I don't have a green thumb"

• "It's too time consuming"

• "I always get defeated and give up"

• "Every time I've tried, I've failed"

• "I don't have a green thumb" • "It's too time consuming" • "I always get defeated and give up" • "Every time I've tried, I've failed" •

Design Opportunity

The act of watering and nurturing plants can feel monotonous and tedious, especially for beginners who haven’t developed it as a hobby. There’s a gap in the market for a plant pot designed to engage users both physically and mentally in caring for their plants. Aesthetic elements that draw users back or interactive features that keep them connected to their plants are essential to prevent frustration and discouragement.

Design Strategy

Approachable Form

Craft a form that is inviting to the user, making the act of plant cultivation a pleasurable experience for both beginners and current hobbyists.
Ceramic Materiality

Incorporate ceramic into the final product to harmoniously integrate with the existing LiveTrends product collection.
Interior Influence

Utilize ceramic finishes and shapes that complement and seamlessly blend with diverse interior themes and designs.
Simple Interaction

The design must prioritize intuitive use, ensuring the user experience is free from frustration and full of satisfaction.

ROUND CORNERS

• APPROACHABLE FORM

• NEUTRAL TONES

• INTERIOR INFLUENCE

• ORGANIC

• INSPIRING

• SUSTAINABLE

• FRICTIONLESS

• FUN

• INNOVATIVE

• ROUND CORNERS • APPROACHABLE FORM • NEUTRAL TONES • INTERIOR INFLUENCE • ORGANIC • INSPIRING • SUSTAINABLE • FRICTIONLESS • FUN • INNOVATIVE •

Introductory Phases

Understanding LiveTrends & Initial Research
First Stages of Ideation/Brainstorming
Analyzing Store Inventory/Product Visibility

The Small Details

Explored various CAD forms by adjusting chamfer angles, fillet radii, and other geometric elements to achieve a design that balanced aesthetics with functionality.

Concept 01

In the first concept, there would be an outer and inner body. The inner body would have a foot with drains, supporting the plant itself. This allows for the double rim feature I’m looking to achieve.
Concept 02

In the second concept, there would only be one body with a bridge-like structure in the middle for the plant. The double rim wouldn’t be possible, and it couldn’t be made of ceramic.
Concept 03

The final concept is similar to the second, except there is no inner bridge; the plant is being supported by the walls of the outer body itself. This would most likely need to be injection molded.

Step 1

To use Flume, slide the desired plant into the inner body, guiding the wick through the hole at the bottom.
Step 2

Looking inside, the support piece can be seen, which creates a gap at the bottom for water to collect.
Step 3

Next, lower the inner body to rest on the support piece. The wick will pass through the holes in the logo, reaching the water.
Step 4

The gap between the two bodies forms a channel for watering, featuring an aesthetic and engaging way to water your plants.