Inside Design Stories

The Hair Dryer Development Team discusses
the design of “technology that is integrated into our daily lives.”

The photo above shows an actual design study for the Plasmacluster Drape Flow Dryer. What kind of air flow do you think these designs produce? While all three designs are intended to incorporate the same functions, the strength and pattern of the air flow may differ in unpredictable ways in each design.

The challenge of this design and development effort was to produce a hair dryer that would demonstrate technology emphasizing the unique four-point air outlet structure while featuring a design that could be easily incorporated into daily life. In order to create a design that demonstrates a refined technology while contributing to a natural and comfortable way of life, we considered various head designs. This exercise resulted in the three ideas shown in the photo above.

The four unique air outlets have a certain appeal when emphasized, but they also give the impression that this device could be difficult to adapt to one’s way of life. If the four unique air outlets were concealed behind slits, the outlets would be difficult to see, and the appliance might be more readily adaptable to one’s way of life. Therefore, we concluded that, by adopting the design of Plan B, which features both wide and narrow openings, this design would give the impression of four air outlets while adapting more neatly into daily life with a more approachable image. Another feature incorporated into Plan B is the unique “super ellipse,” which is a very appealing rounded shape that appears neither perfectly round nor perfectly square.

The super ellipse can be represented with a mathematical formula. Changing the numerical values used to form the ellipse varies the curvature of the corners; so, we took a trial-and-error approach by applying a series of different values. However, the super ellipse, which is calculated simply with this mathematical formula, did not initially provide the ideal shape that perfectly matched the brand concept. After much deliberation, we came up with the novel approach of “mixing complementary shapes” to achieve a “blended” super ellipse that is closer to the ideal. In the end we arrived at the ideal shape that satisfied our design objectives.

What kind of design ensures that technology remains in harmony with our lives? Such design is demonstrated in a hair dryer whose design has been repeatedly tweaked to be closer to the ideal. This product generates a gentle and agreeable breeze that is sure to contribute to greater comfort and convenience.