The Chiller
In 3 steps, this relaxing beach chair transforms into a portable cooler, the chillest beach furniture out there.
Overview
The Chillest Beach Chair and Coolest Cooler ever
Introducing The Chiller, an innovative beach chair that seamlessly converts into a convenient portable cooler with just three effortless steps. As a designer hailing from Southern California, my aim was to address a common challenge faced by countless beach enthusiasts.
Determined to provide a practical solution, I delved extensively into user research for this project, pinpointing the most pressing issues that beachgoers encounter. I believe the most ingenious concepts often emerge from unbridled brainstorming, my favorite phase in the design process. To gain insight into how I crafted The Chiller, please explore the design journey detailed below.
Problem
Families and individuals looking to relax at the beach are confronted with issues involving portability, cooler performance, and convenience.
Research
Interviewing Beachgoers and Analyzing the Market
Consumer Pain Points
Forgets items: sunglasses, speaker, hat, water, towel, etc
Sand in sunglasses, phone, swim suit, food
Doesn’t like carrying a bunch of items
Cumbersome coolers and chairs hit against back of legs
Sandals flipping up sand
Having to carry too much at a time
Fear of someone taking her stuff
Shaking towel and getting sand everywhere
Taking more than one trip
Market Trends
Beach visits increase due to Pandemic’s isolation
17.9% of people visit the beach alone, 18.9% with one other person, and 62% with three or more
89% drive to the beach
3 out of 4 of Americans go to the beach to alleviate stress
Beach visits are a consistent, reliable travel location
Competitive Analysis
Process
Initial Concept Directions
solution
With a lack of multi-functionality in beach chairs and coolers, there is an opportunity to design a product that is portable, convenient, insulated, and comfortable.
design
Modeling and Prototyping
A relaxing beach chair that transforms into a portable cooler in just 3 simple steps.
CHALLENGES
Struggles with Crafting the Perfect Beachside Lounge
Working on this project was quite challenging and took a lot of adapting and iteration.
Firstly, engineering the logistics for seamlessly transforming the product between cooler and chair mode required a lot of intricate planning to ensure smooth functionality. I really needed to ensure a straightforward user experience without sacrificing utility.
Prototyping to scale was also a significant challenge, involving multiple iterations and testing phases to refine the design and functionality effectively. Moreover, ensuring stability with varying body weight and sizes was a priority, leading to careful consideration of materials and construction methods.
I was in between seating designs for a while; whether hammock style or a built-in chair, involved evaluating comfort, practicality, and user preferences extensively.
Lastly, selecting materials that are both water and sand-resistant while remaining lightweight and portable was a complex decision-making process, requiring thorough research and testing.
Despite these challenges, each hurdle was met with resilience and innovative problem-solving to create a cohesive and functional product, The Chiller!
results
The Chiller
Say hi!
Feel free to reach out. I am always looking for new connections and opportunities.