This project was done in collaboration with Melissa Mak.
Fourth Year Studio Project | 3 months
DESIGN BRIEF
In today's era, there's a fascination with vintage aesthetics, and one iconic item that captivates attention is the 70's hair dryer. With its distinctive large shape and outdated design style, these hair dryers not only exude nostalgia but are also known for their remarkably low noise production.
Modern hair dryers, although efficient, often sacrifice the aesthetics and noise level that characterized their vintage counterparts. We aim to blend the timeless charm of vintage hairdryers with modern technology, creating an advanced, high-end, and exceptionally quiet hair dryer. This sought-after product is designed to be a statement piece in the homes of trend setting young adults.
RESEARCH
Our design is inspired by the iconic 1970s hairdryers. In the 70’s, electronic hairdryers made from either plastic or metal had a very large body due to their fans. These designs were influenced by earlier models featuring a distinctive bonnet connected to a tube, then attached to a fan that you could comfortably hold. The vintage bonnet hair dryers were known for their quiet operation due to their large fans, but they weren't the most efficient, paving the way for the chic and efficient design of the 1970s hairdryer we embrace today.
The larger fan size means that the number of blades is increased, facilitating more airflow within a single rotation. This design choice optimizes the volume of air expelled in a single rotation, contributing to the overall whisper-quiet performance of our hair dryer.
MOOD BOARD
We crafted this mood board to serve as inspiration for our hair dryer design. Every element on this board reflects our meticulous selection of forms, shapes, and aesthetics that guided the creation of our product. Delving into diverse hair dryer designs, we closely examined the interplay of shapes, interfaces, and materials that contribute to a modern and upscale appearance. The colour palettes, finishes, and materials captured in these visuals became useful for our design, each embodying a sleek, simple, and glossy look that aligns with the aesthetic we aimed to infuse into our product.
CONCEPT IDEATION
The goal of the project is to redesign an iconic electronic product using new technology. These ideation sketches were created to explore the different shapes and forms of hair dryers. During this stage, our exploration spanned from modern to retro designs, ultimately guiding us towards the timeless 1970’s vintage-shaped hairdryers. These sketches vividly showcase the diverse features of hair dryers, ranging from the cool air grill and nozzle to intricate button placements, each meticulously explored throughout the design process. Additionally, our considerations extended to innovative concepts like a foldable handle, an aerodynamic silhouette, and the exploration of a wireless hair dryer.
Throughout our research we focused on the internal components of the hairdryers from the 70s and hairdryers used nowadays. The internals have stayed relatively the same over the last few decades as all standard hair dryers have at least a motor, nichrome wire, on/off switch, and a fan. The RetroWave continues to use that standard technology within the housing, while also providing some new technology including fan speed and heat settings.
HIGHLIGHTED TECHNOLOGY
Standard Hairdryer
Standard hairdryer fan size.
RetroWave
RetroWave hairdryer fan size is 3x larger making our hairdryer almost slient.
PROTOTYPING
Our prototyping journey unfolds through the strategic utilization of materials like cardboard, foam core, foam, and 3D printing. Each prototype serves as a crucial stepping stone, allowing us to delve deeper into refining our design. These iterative models enable us to gain invaluable insights into the optimal angle and length of the handle, the ideal fan size, and the most ergonomic placement for buttons, thus propelling our design evolution.
USER TESTING
To enhance our design, we engaged individuals in a hands-on experience, inviting them to hold our prototypes and share feedback on the aesthetic, form, ergonomics, and usability of the hairdryer. This phase of the design process proved immensely valuable, offering us a distinct perspective on how people interact with their hair dryers and providing insights into their preferences.
Handle Shape
Feedback from users highlighted notable points, expressing concerns about the hairdryer handle being too short, failing to accommodate various hand sizes, and the angular design causing discomfort and wrist pain.
Usability
Users expressed a positive reception towards the concept of a quieter fan and were pleased with the incorporation of a more angled handle. This design feature garnered approval for its ability to alleviate strain on the arm and wrist, especially during prolonged blow-drying sessions.
Interface
Users noted that the heat dial was somewhat challenging to handle due to its slim size but were pleased with the idea of utilizing their opposite hand to control the buttons, prompting an interest in controlling not just the heat but the power switch as well with their oppoosite hand.
FINAL DESIGN
The final design is a lightweight and silent hairdryer that mimics design aesthetics from the 1970s. The RetroWave housing is made from Alumina Ceramic, a long-wearing industrial oxide ceramic with high hardness. The housing is injection molded and attached with fasteners and an epoxy adhesive. The material is extracted from bauxite and creates an ideal insulation for electrical components while being heat resistent. The material is also wear and corrosion resistant meaning it provides a strong and durable casing, making it high performance with a glossy finish.
The final model was made made with 3D printed parts. It was finished and painted to create a full-scale model to help convey our vision. This also allowed us to apply our research from user testing into a final form.
Features and Internal Components
