Osiris

What it does

Osiris allows users to replace the jug of their kettle, extending the lifespan of the electronics, the process only uses a screwdriver and hands. As times change so should we, Osiris reflects the spirit of innovation, offering a fresh perspective to consumers.

Your inspiration

E-Waste is a growing problem globally, and as designers, we own a portion of the responsibility for this crisis. A lecturer of mine made this issue abundantly clear to me, we cannot ignore the impact of our work and I believe personally that our salvation is repair. Initial inspiration came from companies like Dualit and SURI, however in my concept I wanted to give the user a greater power to repair, and therefore adopted the modular electronics approach pioneered by the likes of FairPhone.

How it works

The removeable electronics comes in the form of the Control Module, which consists of the Control (see '1a') and a Heating Element (see '2a'), these components are usually fixed to a Hot Plate (see '3a'), however on this design, the Hot Plate is separate from the Heating Element and Control (Control Module) and fixed to the Kettle Jug, allowing the manufacturer to provide a watertight seal. To replace the Kettle Jug, the user simply: 1. Remove Switch from push fit connection. 2. Remove two Screws from the Aluminium base of the Kettle Jug. 3. Remove Aluminium base. 4. Turn the Control Module until it clicks, communicating it is released / swap jug and repeat the same process until a click is felt communicating the Control Module is secure. 5. Reverse the process. Appendix: 1a. Control: Monitors temperature & turns Kettle off 2a. Heating Element: Source of the heat boiling the water 3a. Hot Plate: Evenly Distributes the heat for an efficient boil

Design process

Step 1 - Research: I created a 4,000 word viability report outlining the E-Waste crisis, as well as looking at the existing repair / sustainability market and read studies looking at business cases of recycle practices and optimisation of design for disassembly. This report included primary research in the form of interviews conducted by myself with Vanessa Forti (Lead researcher and Co-Author of the UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024) and Olivier Hebert (Former Chief Technology Officer of FairPhone, 2013 - 2018). Step 2 - Ideation: I got to the drawing board, brainstorming methods and extent of repair. I also aimed to provide three final aesthetics to swap between, which is something I quickly learned I did not have time for, in the end I chose one set Aesthetic for the theoretical release. Step 3 - Execution: Using SolidWorks, I turned conceptual sketches into reality, with the addition of design for manufacture detailing such as draft angles and fixings. I further defined / finalised how the repair function would be carried out and set about prototyping so I could ensure that the thread could work and the strut supporting the Hot Plate could take the water weight. Step 4 - Presentation: Using In Design, I created a presentation and pitched the final concept to my tutors.

How it is different

I saw business potential in the separation of electronics from casing. Recycle-able aesthetics could act as razor blade to a handle (Razor Blade Marketing Strategy), making this a profit & environmentally friendly idea and hopefully makes this idea adoptable by the current attitude of business. The concept features a set of rules that act as a brief for this type of product based on what I learned, they are as follows: 1. End process should be simple 2. End process should be achieved through limited use of tools (repairable with what's found around house) 3. End process should take as little time as possible 4. End process should be intuitive 5. User should not see open electrical components (preventing intimidation affecting the users confidence in the process) 6. Effect of user access to repair should have as little additional cost in production as possible (to motivate businesses to adopt repair practice)

Future plans

Release - Introduction of Product: Likely adopted by sustainability market with potential to break through to mainstream market. 2 - 7 Years - Introduction of Range & Regulation: Further options of aesthetics released as regulation allows product refurbishment and right to repair to become a standard practice. 7 - 10 Years - Concept adopted by Market: Refurbishment is an established practice among consumers allowing for greater depth of personalisation as the consumers confidence in their technical abilities increases.

Awards

Awards: DeMontfort University: Arts, Design & Humanities - Environmental / Circular Economy and Sustainability Prize. New Designers 2024: TDC PR - Sustainability & Innovation Award. Commendations: SeymourPowell: Impressive Systems Thinking of Design for Disassembly & Sustainability Rules (New Designers 2024).