CALIDA
Floor Heater + Ottoman
The multi-functional piece of furniture bringing warmth and comfort to your work environment.
the project
class topic: design and meaning
Design a product, service or app that meets the need of a telecommuter living in a small space.
the product
Furniture is a necessity in a home. Work is also a major part of life and as the trend of telecommuting becomes more common in small living spaces, being comfortable while working is a necessity to productivity. Calida meets both of those needs by being a small but useful piece of furniture not simply offered as a footstool but storage, extra seating, extra table space and ultimately a space heater as well.
“calida” - Spanish roots, meaning ‘warm, loving’
persona
Art Mendiola | 25 years old | young professional
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residence: San Francisco
profession: I.T. Professional
main hobbies: anything to do with computers, music and people
general weekday routine: workout, breakfast, shower, work, lunch, work, dinner, chill then sleep
design philosophy
hygge - “Danish expression is an attitude towards life that emphasizes finding joy in everyday moments”
working with hygge
be comfortable while working
increase productivity
take time to relax
transform your area
transform your living space into a comfortable and usable workspace
Pull up on leather tabs…
…to access an extra surface while still having a footstool
Chilly while working?
turn on the heat!
process
broad exploration then chosen direction
research
a study done in England:
“A total of 67% of respondents said they felt cold in their workplace during the winter months. A high 80.9% of respondents said they were grumpier or unhappier when they are cold, they find it more difficult to concentrate and feel less productive at work” - Human Resources
products already on the market
heated wearables
foot blanket heater
space heater
chair warmer
heated rug
heating element chosen: infrared/radiant
•good for small spaces
•heats immediately
•heats objects directly in front of it
•silent
•most designed to look like furniture
•warms people and objects like the sun
•heat stops when turned off
•doesn’t change air moisture
how infrared heating works
what shaped ottoman?
interview with a young family who uses their ottoman for a variety of purposes
final design details
final mockup
final design
final model
for full process book, click here