Creating the Gradient All-Weather Unit was an opportunity to solve complex design problems while ensuring it was both visually appealing and seamlessly integrated into the user’s everyday lives. From the start, I worked closely with thermal and mechanical engineers to address some of the unit’s most critical aspects, including air outlets, the moving expansion bridge, and the unit’s proportions and materials. Balancing these technical requirements with aesthetic considerations became a key focus of the design process to ensure the unit was approachable, intuitive, and adaptable to various living spaces.
For the design language, I embraced a “soft tech” approach, incorporating smooth curves and rounded rectangles to create a welcoming and modern aesthetic. The indoor and outdoor halves were designed to feel like one seamless, integrated product, ensuring the design is unified and intentional. The saddle design keeps the window unblocked and allows it to open and close with the unit installed. The top shelf on the indoor unit was thoughtfully designed to encourage personalization, seamlessly blending the product into users’ spaces.
To achieve a balance between aesthetics and functionality, I carefully considered key design elements, such as the air vents, which are the offset shape of the perforated air filter cover and feature hidden air louvers that fit seamlessly within the design. The UI touchscreen and buttons were intentionally kept minimal to blend seamlessly into the unit’s design, with the four buttons prioritizing the most critical functions. This thoughtful layout allows users of all ages to intuitively interact with the product. The touchscreen complements this simplicity by providing access to essential secondary features, while the All-Weather app extends the unit’s functionality, offering enhanced control and a seamless connection between the device and its environment.
The result is a thoughtfully designed product that seamlessly integrates into users’ lives, offering comfort, control, and functionality while addressing the needs of diverse spaces and lifestyles.
My primary responsibilities at Gradient:
The sole designer responsible for the Generation 2 All-Weather unit, owning its design from initial concept through mass production.
Defined the end user by leveraging a human-centered design approach to identify key challenges and uncover opportunities, ensuring the product effectively addressed their needs.
Collaborated with mechanical, thermal, firmware, and electrical engineers, as well as customer experience and marketing teams, engaging in brainstorming sessions to deliver a cohesive and user-centric product.
Created detailed design concepts by sketching, rendering, and developing 3D CAD models in SolidWorks, while maintaining a strong focus on manufacturability throughout the design process.
Delivered manufacturable design proposals to engineering for production, ensuring a smooth transition from prototype to final product.
Designed intuitive features, including functional air louvers and a fully integrated UI touchscreen.
Made key decisions on product details throughout all product phases, including plastic material selection, color matching, texture, and fit and finish quality.
Created cosmetic inspection documents and collaborated with vendors to ensure consistent quality.
Collaborated with various engineering departments to drive cost-reduction initiatives while preserving the user experience, effectively balancing engineering and business constraints to ensure a high-quality, consumer-focused product.
Worked with electrical engineers to select the ideal touchscreen and defined the touchscreen’s needs.
Designed the All-Weather app and worked directly with app developers and firmware engineers to create a holistic user experience between the unit and the app.
Designed and worked with vendors to create the unit’s remote, ensuring seamless integration with the product.
Helped create the All-Weather unit’s installation manual and user guide, ensuring clarity and ease of use for end customers.
Designed the product packaging, ensuring it aligned with brand standards and enhanced the user experience.
Created all product labels, ensuring sizing and icons complied with legal requirements.
Developed and implemented a beta testing program, creating user missions and gathering critical feedback to inform improvements in product design, manufacturing, and vendor processes.