As part of a strategy to design and develop domestic appliances in the UK for the UK market, PDu were selected to partner Delonghi ahead of a number of other UK design consultants. Working with the UK Marketing department, the Design and Marketing departments at their headquarters in Treviso, Italy and the manufacturing suppliers in China we have gone on to design a range of products for DeLonghi.
The Elemento Kettle was the first to be released onto the market with other supportive products to follow. The main design driver on this project was to create an iconic design that provided DeLonghi a platform from which to build. Specific research was undertaken by PDu in conjunction with a leading high street retailer to focus on the decision process of consumers at the point of sale as well as user centred research which focused on the operations of filling, pouring and all actions in between. This research facilitated unique design features such as the large window that aids the operation of filling the kettle as well as creating visual indication and stimulation as the water boils. The simple spring loaded lid release mechanism and the attention paid to the feel and balance of the product in the hand all add to creating shelf distinction and improving the user experience in a simple everyday task that is often made awkward through bad design.
