Timeline:
The project had a tight deadline of two weeks to create my own project brief and design. Unfortunately, these two weeks coincided with my move to a new room, leaving me with less time than I had hoped for. Therefore I decided to further develop my idea in the week that followed to be able to present a polished concept.
The Brief:
As the market for electric powered vehicles is growing fast, the need for EV chagers is rising. Within the current charger-marked there are still many problems that need solving. Charging your car should be as intuitive and stress free as possible.
Problem Definition:
The initial step was to identify the issues of current wallboxes and EV chargers. To enhance the product's value, I made a list of the most common problems that I found during my research. This overview served as a foundation for my project.
Rivian Brand:
Another crucial aspect of my design process was analyzing the selected brand. Given that I was creating a product for Rivian, I created a brand framework outlining the key assets that contribute to Rivian's brand image. This helped guide my design choices and align the product with Rivian's identity.
Identifying the User:
The wallbox was designed for Rivian's adventurous customers. Individuals valuing functionality and appreciating Rivian's bold and practical design approach.
Design Analysis:
Before idea generation it was necessary to put the brand values and the created persona into concrete design directions.
To achieve that I analysed the current Rivian R1T on design choices, remarkable features and gathered my inspiration.
Product Idea:
To enhance the wallbox's functionality, I brainstormed solutions for managing cables effectively. Among the various ideas I explored, the most viable one involved utilizing coiled cables. After conducting research and drawing inspiration, I discovered evidence supporting the feasibility of implementing a design centered around predominantly coiled cables.
Visual Idea Generation:
Next up, I started exploring the design possibilities of the wallbox. I experimented with different shapes and forms, focussing on using the coiled cable as effectively as possible.
Rapid CAD Ideation:
Following the sketching phase I decided to go into a broad CAD exploration phase, to better asses the possibilities of integrating the design language of rivian. During this ideation phase I created many different approaches that over time merged together into two more solid concepts.
Decision Making:
Choosing a design proved challenging as I had two favored ideas, each with its own pros and cons.
To resolve this, I asked for external input from classmates and professors to guide the project forward.
Realisation:
In this project, I aimed to dive deeper into production details, ensuring my design could be easily injection molded. After modeling the components and arranging them within the wallbox, I realized that my design used too much space for just very few components. Additionally I was not sure if my current design actually properly represented the rivian brand in a way I wanted to.
Pinpoint Design:
After facing a small creative block with my current design, I needed to approach the design phase from a fresh perspective. To align my work with the Rivian brand, I selected three to four standout features that resonated with me the most. These features became the focal points I wanted to incorporate into my new design.
Rework:
To find a better shape and optimize my product I minimized the overall surface area and tried to focus on a clean and especially bold design for the wallbox. These are some of the iterations that made it into the closer selection.
Feasability and Assembly:
As mentioned earlier, feasibility was a key consideration in this project. Therefore, I designed each part to be easily disassembled and assembled. Iused special slots for easy installation, added extra support for strength, and made parts that could be injection molded without any complications. Additionally, I ensured the cables could be easily connected inside the cable box, to ensure easy service procedures.
The Mechanism:
The wallbox proposes a clean design and focusses on being as user friendly as possible.
The coiled cable can be extended and retracts itself right back into shape after use.
Design:
The wallbox does not scream for attention. The design transmittes boldness and the metal front design gives the product a sense of rigidity. The plug design is inspired by Rivian's iconic headlights and seamlessly integrates with the rest of the wallbox.
