Smarten up the things you love
Smartians are small actuators that one can position on any device, and so make it smart. By the use of the different add-ons, different use-cases can be addressed such as rotating blinds, pressing buttons or pull a rope.
During this project at FROLIC studio, my responsibilities have been: Sketching, Ideation, 3D modelling, Rapid prototyping, Storyboarding, UX/UI, App design
Smartians won a Red Dot Design Award and the golden Dutch Creativity for Next Innovation Award. The project has also been featured on Designboom & Yanko Design, Gizmodo Japan, Fresh Gadgets, Fast Company, Cool Hunting, Bitsylink, Trendhunter & Bouncy
Why
Everyday-products are often replaced by new, smart and high-tech products. This, when these so-called 'outdated products' function properly still. Why not make a design that could upgrade such products to smart devices, without having to replace them necessarily? Smartians are born.
How
The starting point was the idea to turn ordinary devices into smart devices, using small actuators. FROLIC studio had previously worked out the basic concept of the functionality and the accompanying app. From hereon the industrial design of Smartians has been picked up, from basic concept up to final design, the interface of the app, its packaging and storyboard for the promotional video.
Quick product ideation sketches
Form finding through 3D printing
Working out functional prototypes
Prototyping focused on aesthetics
Storyboarding the script
Filming the promo videos
What
Smartians are small actuators that one can position on any device, and so make it smart. By the use of the different add-ons, different use-cases can be addressed such as rotating blinds, pressing buttons or pull a rope. Even more so, users are enabled to get creative on other use-cases like feeding fish or watering plants.
