Laparra-Han_SDES711_Magazine

in the Joy Kitchen Suburban Crafting

By: Daisy Laparra & Sara Han

SDES 711 N02 | Methods of Contextual Research

Winter 2024

Prof. Hari Nair

Emily:

Alex:

Christine:

Jake:

Heart of the Home or Source of Stress?

How often does your kitchen truly feel like the heart of your home? We’ve all heard that the kitchen is the heart of our home, but does it truly feel that way? Or does your kitchen give you a feeling of chaos and frustration?

Emily isn’t fond of cooking, but she knows it must be done. Jake loves hosting his friends, especially for the

Super Bowl, but dreads the setup and cleanup that come with it. Alex, a suburban teen, would rather not have to help with any cooking. Christine, on the other hand, loves to experiment in the kitchen and cook often.

Our aim was to find out what gives people positive feelings of being in their kitchen or what elicits negative feelings within the kitchen and how those can be addressed to improve the average suburban family’s kitchen experience.

WE ASKED...

How

might we the kitchen experience

for suburban families with minors by focusing on the ?

Maximizing Kitchen Space: Functional and Beautiful?

Tech Upgrades for a Smarter Kitchen?

Natural Elements: Boosting Kitchen Ambiance?

What We Learned

25% of people would describe their kitchen as small

32% of respondents indicated that they spend three or more hours per day in their kitchen

55% of respondents said they occasionally or regularly host guests in their kitchen

54% of respondents used the word/phrase “unclutterd,” “stored away,” or “clear countertops” to describe their idea of an organized kitchen

What They Had to Say

“

A bar code scanner on the fridge and every time when put products in the fridge, it registers it either based on time, and the fridge will add that product to the grocery list as it predicts when that product will run out.

–Micah Z.

On the features their ideal smart storage system would include

“

Kitchen is extremely small, so there is not enough cabinet space or drawers for any of the equipment.

–Daniel B.

On their storage challenges in the kitchen

“

Matching containers and baskets for snacks, drawers and cabinets that make it such that its contents are easily visible and accessible.

–Christine W.

On the features their ideal smart storage system would include

A technology that tells me when the food goes bad or food I need to buy soon. Also, telling me where things are in the kitchen, so I don’t overbuy or forget the item I already have.

–Heon J.

On the kind of technology they’d like to integrate in their kitchen

“

My rice cooker must be out all the time because cabinets are small. Having my appliances out as well. This makes my kitchen unaesthetic – when I cook, every appliance is out so it makes my cooking hard and makes my kitchen busy.

–Grace L.

On compromising on the aesthetic appeal of their kitchen to accommodate more practical storage needs

I would love an organizational system for my kitchen that makes it more efficient while I’m cooking.

–Katie E.

Describing their ideal kitchen organization system

The Ideal Kitchen Experience

I feel confident in my kitchen space

I am Less Stressed

When things get hectic, my kitchen becomes a little oasis of calm because I know exactly where everything is. This organization helps dial down the stress, making it easier to handle the chaos. It’s nice to have that one spot where everything is in order, giving me a sense of control and peace amidst the madness.

I am Empowered

Even with a small kitchen, every tool I need has its place, allowing me to create meals and memories with my family, without compromise. My unique kitchen gadgets fit in my kitchen because everything is organized and having these tools allows me to make recipes I otherwise could not make.

I am Comfortable

Our kitchen is a place of comfort because it is arranged in a way that allows us to make the most of the space we have. Our large family can come together to share the moments that matter and that makes it more than just a place for meal preparation; it’s a central hub for connection and delight.

I am In Control

Modular systems allow me to choose how I want my kitchen organized and I don’t have to conform to a cookie-cutter solution. I can have matching containers in all shapes and sizes for a variety of contents, while still maintaining an aesthetically pleasing space.

I am Productive

When time is scarce, I’m able to get things done quickly in my kitchen because technology has made it easier for me to pre-plan and reduce food waste. This helps me be more productive and have more time for the things I enjoy.

Emily The Reluctant Cook

Age:

Occupation:

Family:

Cooking Habits:

Kitchen Interaction:

Goals:

Frustrations:

Lifestyle:

32

Part-time Remote Worker

Mother of a 3-year-old and 5-year-old

Cooks out of necessity; prefers quick and easy meals

Limited; finds cooking a chore; often opts for pre-made meals

Streamline meal preparation; minimize kitchen time

Cluttered kitchen; lack of easy-to-use appliances

Balances work and childcare; limited free time

MenuMaster App

I can make quick meals because technology helps me pre-plan without a lot of effort.

An app that creates a weekly menu and tells you what ingredients to buy for a week. Once you get home after grocery shopping, the app will help you store the ingredients by the menu you will be cooking. It will organize by what needs to be cooked first before some ingredients go bad.

All you need to do is grab the storage container from the fridge and start cooking without having to dig through the fridge finding the ingredients and waste time.

I feel less stressed and comfortable

This helps me reduce food waste because I’m reminded to use food before it goes bad.

Alex The Suburban Pre-teen

Age:

Occupation:

Family:

Cooking Habits:

Kitchen Interaction:

Goals:

Frustrations:

Lifestyle:

12

Middle School Student

Lives with parents and younger sibling

Primarily for quick snacks and occasionally assisting with simple tasks in meal preparation

Limited to functional use, prefers spending time on hobbies and with friends

Quick access to snacks, minimal involvement in cooking

Complex kitchen gadgets, not being able to reach or find things easily

School, extracurricular activities like soccer and video games

ScanSavvy Stowaways

Smart modular containers, handwash-safe, feature durable QR codes. Included mini scanners attach to walls, guiding correct placement with a gentle beep if misplaced. Using an app, scan food packaging and container QR codes to track lot number, nutrition, and expiration date.

I can let my mom know if something is expired simply by scanning a QR code.

This helps me keep things where they belong, which makes Mom happy.

feel less stressed, productive,

My snacks don’t get stale as quickly as they used to because our containers are high quality.

Christine The Culinary Enthusiast

Age:

Occupation:

Family:

Cooking Habits:

Kitchen Interaction:

Goals:

Frustrations:

Lifestyle:

38

Homemaker

Married with two children, ages 7 and 9

Enjoys cooking and trying new recipes; often hosts dinner parties

High; the kitchen is her creative space

Enhance cooking experience; efficient space for entertaining

Inadequate storage for cooking tools; limited seating for guests

Actively involved in children’s school; volunteers; enjoys gardening

WallWise App

An app that allows you to effeciently use the space already in your home. You provide a photo and dimensions of the wall space and answer questions to help the app make meaningful suggestions. The app shows you a variety of products you could buy to properly make functional use of that space given the limitations and its intended use.

This avoids precious space going to waste in smaller kitchens or homes.

I actually

found something functional to add more storage capacity to the awkward little space in my kitchen.

I feel empowered and in control

I don’t need to remodel to add more storage space to my kitchen.

Jake The Social Host

Age:

Occupation:

Family:

Cooking Habits:

Kitchen Interaction:

Goals:

Frustrations:

Lifestyle:

35

Marketing Manager

Married with a toddler and infant

Rarely cooks; prefers quick meals or ordering in

Mainly for storing beverages and snacks; occasional meal prep

Keep the kitchen functional for basic tasks; easy to navigate for quick meals

Lack of organized storage for quick-access items

Busy professional; enjoys hosting friends for casual get-togethers

Hey BluBite

Voice activation makes this easy.

I don’t need to learn anything new or different from other smart assistants. This integrates seamlessly with the tech I already have.

A Bluetooth system links to your kitchen, requiring RFID tags for storage and items for tracking. It informs you of the best storage options by category and size, and you can ask it to locate pots, pans, and more for efficient cooking.

The technology remembers things so that I don’t have to and if my wife decides to rearrange things, I’ll still be able to find everything.

Redefining the Heart of the Home:

Cultivating Joy and Comfort

Our research found that people do want their kitchen to be the heart of their home, but too often, disorganization, time constraints, and lack of space made it difficult for them to feel that it was. Rather than being a space that brings joy, it can be a space that brings dread and frustration.

The preliminary concepts we’ve suggested aim to change that into what we all aspire to have: a space where we feel empowered, less stressed, productive, in control, and comfortable.

Daisy Laparra

Daisy has an MBA in marketing from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS), a BFA in graphic design from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), and is currently an MFA Candidate at SCAD, with a focus on graphic design & visual experience.

Sara Han

Sara Han has a BS in Fashion and Retail Studies from The Ohio State University and currently pursuing an MFA in Graphic Design & Visual Experience at SCAD.

Daisy