Strategic design approach to create a framework to utilize existing resources for Qualy
Year
2018
Role
Design Student
Design at
KMITL
Design For
Qualy
This project is a collaboration between the Qualy and the Department of Industrial Design at the School of Architecture, Art, and Design (SAAD) from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), for the class of the Industrial Design 5, focusing on the Design Strategy. This course centers on the development of Design Strategy with a focus on organizations, using real-world case studies through collaboration with a company. The approach involves consolidating design briefs, conducting research, and performing contextual analyses in social, economic, market, and technological contexts. The project encompasses a comprehensive analysis, incorporating aspects such as consumer studies, the design thinking process, strategic thinking processes, and trend analysis. Participants will engage in practical design projects, navigating through various stages including problem statement identification, strategic definition, ideation, idea selection, prototype development, and testing.
Design isn't just about making things look good; it's a crucial factor in both business success and social well-being. Managing and leading design effectively is key for thriving businesses.Strategic design is an approach that tackles problems in a holistic way not just about finding solutions but about reimagining the problems and how solutions being delivered. This approach creates opportunities for innovation by approaching challenges with a fresh perspective. Strategic design is a broad concept that incorporates various design approaches, such as service design, design thinking, and innovation. Its goal is to create new competitive advantages for businesses. The focus of projects in strategic design is not just generating ideas but also turning them into practical and profitable applications.The foundation of strategic design is rooted in the analysis of both external and internal trends and data. This analytical approach ensures that design decisions are grounded in factual information rather than relying solely on aesthetics or intuition. By basing decisions on a thorough understanding of the environment and trends, strategic design aims to bring about tangible and effective outcomes for businesses.
Qualy, a distinctive Thai-designed product brand, is deeply committed to a trinity of values: creativity, utility, and sustainability. Anchored in the belief that design has the transformative power to enrich lives, the brand is driven by a dual purpose - to enhance the quality of life for individuals while also respecting and contributing to the overall well-being of the planet. Qualy's product philosophy revolves around crafting items that transcend mere functionality, aspiring to be both innovative, sustainable, and uplifting. Their creations are not just tools; they are designed to bring happiness and joy to the lives. What sets Qualy apart is not only their innovative designs but also their initiative dedication to sustainability. This commitment is manifested in their pursuit of being an eco-friendly design brand, showcasing a genuine responsibility towards the environment by collaborating with many sustainable NGOs and take a lead in developing new greener material to create a last-longing life cycles of plastic products. In essence, Qualy strives to be a source of both inspiration and positive impact, weaving together creativity, utility, and sustainability into the fabric of their brand identity.
The Common Collection comes to life through a mix of taking a simple part and upgrading its material. We choose uncomplicated forms, enhance them with high-quality materials, and turn them into new products. This collection mainly includes decorative items, vases, and plant pots, each crafted to strike a balance between simplicity and elegance.
The Stack Collection is crafted through part matching. We take a component from an existing product, using it as a joint to create stackable containers. This innovative approach allows us to repurpose familiar parts, giving rise to a collection of functional and versatile stackable storage solutions.
The Reflex Collection is a fusion of a part from Qualy and standard industrial elements like metal pipe caps and mirrors. This unique combination results in a collection of desktop stationery items such as desktop mirrors, vases, and potpourri bowls. Each piece in the Reflex Collection blends Qualy's distinctive elements with industrial components, creating functional and aesthetically pleasing additions to desktop settings.
The Lamp & Light Collection comprises lighting products crafted by incorporating light bulbs into Qualy's distinctive parts. Leveraging the unique shapes of Qualy's products, we have created a variety of stunning lamps. This collection offers a diverse range of lamps, including ceiling lights, wall lights, and desktop lamps, each blending Qualy's unique elements with functional illumination.
The Odd & End Collection showcases miscellaneous products that, while not fitting into other specific collections, hold their own unique value. These items stand apart, offering distinctiveness and individual charm that sets them apart from other product categories.
The Stack Collection introduces an interactive feature, allowing customers to personalize and create their own customized products. This project got the opportunity to be showcased at Bangkok Design Week 2019, where we hosted a workshop. Visitors had the chance to craft their unique stacks during the workshop and take home their personalized creations.
To validate our design solution, my team initiated product refinement and tested it on the actual manufacturing line. During this process, certain product parts required modification, prompting the creation of specialized jigs or templates. These tools proved instrumental in expediting the manufacturing process and ensuring the successful implementation of our design improvements.
Following the testing phase, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the initial investment for this project. In comparison to the typical investment for plastic manufacturing, additional costs such as modification expenses and wages for the human assembling line were considered. However, through careful calculation, we discovered that leveraging the existing injection mold allowed us to significantly reduce the primary production investment. This strategic approach means that we could break even by selling a smaller number of products.
This strategic design project not only showcases the ability to create new products without investing in new molds but also underscores its sustainable aspects. By repurposing and renovating existing stock into new products, the project aligns with principles of sustainability by minimizing waste and utilizing available resources effectively. This innovative approach not only reduces environmental impact but also presents a responsible way to bring new life to existing inventory, contributing to a more conscious product development strategy.
Our project unveiled a compelling strategic approach to sustainable design, earning us an invitation to showcase at Bangkok Design Week 2019 as part of the student exhibits. Additionally, we took the initiative to organize a workshop, inviting BKKDW2019 participants to customize their Stack Collection, fostering hands-on engagement and interaction with our innovative design.
