THE BOARD
Our design challenge was to design a product or service for millennials that addresses a identified product opportunity gap (POG) in the kitchen based on the unique social, economic, technical (SET) factors available today.
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Our solution, The Board, is a portable combination of cutting board and deforming countertop that replaces the need to use bowls and plates during food prep and that is as easy to clean as your counter top.
Focus
Product Design
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Design Journey
Research & Interview
Value Opportunity Analysis
Problem Identification
Idea Generation
Final Design
User Testing
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My Role
Researcher
Interviewer
Prototype maker
Presentation maker



Social
Millennials with roommates cook and eat alone
Cooking is an enjoyable experience and a good skill for millennials
Millennials are likely to have a smaller kitchen
Economic
Millennials are willing to pay premiums for quality
Millennials’ purchasing trend is above average in spite of high debt levels
Millennials invest in perceived high-value products
Technology
Millennials are delighted to see new tricks and hacks
Kitchen appliances have precise control over weight, temperature, time, & heat
Remote and virtual control






Lucy
22, Graduate Student
Has little time to cook
Lives with 2 roommates
Enjoys cooking when she has time
Sometimes she has to leave dirty dishes on the counter because she has to leave for class.
Benjamin
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26 , Graduate Student
Lives with 3 roommates
Has a small cooking space
Cooks for sustenance rather than enjoyment
Eats alone. He and his roommates don’t like to do dishes so they pile up.
Design a product that improves
dishwashing efficiency
for students living with 1-3 roommates.
Attack the issue from the source:
The Deforming Countertop reduces the burden of dishwashing by reducing the number of dishes.
Simplify the cleaning process:
Because the surface returns to a flat surface when done, washing dishes is as easy as wiping the countertop.
Easy to store:
The Deforming Countertop conveniently folds in half to easily store in your cupboard, in a drawer, or leave it on the counter.