ALTO NO.2 | GARMENT STEAMER
A garment steamer that combines the power and water capacity of a full-size steamer with the ease and comfort of a handheld tool.
This steamer is designed under Steamery, a trend-setting garment care company.
Meet Diana
Diana has been a bridal seamtress for over 20 years. As time goes on, using her full size garment steamer has become more difficult due its bulkiness and having to get on the floor to interact with her machine’s operations. She has considered smaller options, however, handheld steamers are not meeting her needs as they require more refills because of their small water containers as well as their heaters also are not strong enough to press out wrinkles.
Diana is looking for a steamer that combines the power and water capacity of her current machine with the ease and comfort of a handheld steamer.
INSPIRATION
Steamery is a sustainability-focused Swedish garment care company. They belive that if you care for the clothing you already own properly, your favorite pieces can last a lifetime. Modernizing garment care for the urban world can help loosen the grip fast fashion has on younger generations; creating less waste and opportunites for better working conditions for emplyees of fast fashion companies.
1
Palette
Color Ways are smooth, cool-toned pastels
Materiality
2
Spft Grip plastic which is inviting and comfortable for users
Form
3
Steamery uses soft, minimalist deatures to create organic, yet streamline forms
RESEARCH AND OBSERVATION
Initial research was done using the Jiffy-J 2000 observing myself and coworkers in a Bridal Salon
Task Analysis Research
This Task Analysis follows the user's experience from: Preparation -- In Use -- Clean Up
Journey Map: Preparation Steps 1-7
Overall Observations
- Much of this stage is spent bent down which is difficult for people who have issues their knees to do multiple times a day.
- The metal rod intended for hanging garments is only used for moving the machine and is not the right height to hold a full-length gown off of the ground.
- Most difficult stage of use
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Bending down to grab tank
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Cap is difficult to unscrew (gets stuck)
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Weight of tank after refilling
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Bending down to replace tank and plug in cord
TOUCHPOINTS
Journey Map: In Use Steps 8-11
Overall Observations:
- Steam should take 60sec to appear, but it can take up to 3min.
- The hose is too short to reach certain places on a garment and ends up pulling the entire machine forward.
- Users need to make multiple passes to see effects of steam.
- Mildly difficult stage of use
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Waiting for steam takes longer than expected
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Head of handle gets extremely hot
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Hoase is too short to get into tight spaces
Touchpoints
Journey Map: Clean Up Steps 8-11
Overall Observations:
- Foot-operated On/Off switch is obsolete when the user needs to bend down to unplug the cord
- The power cord does not retract and is awkward to wrap around metal rod.
- Least difficult stage of use
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Bending down to unplug cord
TOUCHPOINTS
IDEATION
REFINING WITH FOAM
HOW TO USE
SPECS
- 316ml water tank
- 50 min of steaming time
- 2 lbs net-wt with full tank
- 13" total length
