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
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.