The washing machine that also changes the mood. ES-PU11B,ES-P110

ーTell me, Ms. Kuwahara, do you like washing?

Ha ha, is that how you want to start? I’m not neat, but… Do you mean like being enveloped in the fragrance of softener when spreading the laundry in the sunlight? In fact, since my husband and I both work and we have a boy in elementary school, it’s pretty hard.

ーWashing is something that cannot be avoided in our daily lives.

That’s right. And, the places where washing machines are put always seem to be chaotic. We don’t really want to show them to other people. So, I made “Dedicated to beauty” the design concept for this washing machine. How would it be to think about it as an interior item like washroom furnishings? I thought it would be nice if I could make its location comfortable as a place to spend time, as well as a space that we could show guests happily if they say, “I would like to wash my hands.”

ーIndeed, having people see this design would be fine. People might also think, “Let’s keep the space around this washing machine clean!”

Washing spaces really get a lot of use, including as entrances to the bath and the place where people brush their teeth. They soon get messy. This is especially true when we are busy or tired. But, even with just one washing machine, I think daily feelings and attitudes towards how people live change. In one soft item just out of the laundry, we can wrap the smiles of our precious families… As I let happy expressions at those times float up in my mind, I thought what is a washing machine that is dedicated to beauty. What I sought was a design that is not too assertive, but that has a beautiful presence. I thought it would be good if just the placement of this washing machine results in happy changes, for example, selecting slightly more refined washing accessories instead of the inexpensive ones thoughtlessly purchased before and ending the accumulation of unwashed laundry.

ーThe half mirror with the vertical form and drum style is impressive.

Aren’t the white porcelain washstand and the mirror what come to mind when you hear a washroom is beautiful? Thinking I wanted to make it harmonize with that, I incorporated a white body and half mirror. I was also inspired by various washstand designs and images of water flowing. For example, the curve of the opening for laundry input. Wanting to do a minimum design like porcelain, thinking of water flowing like a sink basin, I conducted many trials. Doing this, made it not only beautiful, but also made it easy to clean and made loading and unloading laundry smooth. For this purpose, the controls sticking out at the front were in the way, so I removed them! Now, that’s nicer. (Laughs.) So, utilizing the ability of the half mirror to pass light, I implemented a touch panel with keys and indicators floating up on the broad glass surface as light. I really wanted to make the glass top thinner, but the conflict with structure and strength…

ーWere you talking with the engineering side?

Those talks were extremely animated and heated. (Laughs.) The engineers prioritize safety and performance no matter what. That is to be expected. I really understand. So, we discuss things extensively to find points of compromise that satisfy both sides. Can’t we take another 0.5 mm off here? No, that’s impossible, and so on. (Laughs.)

ーHow has the response been to this washing machine that was born in this manner?

Everyone liked the prototype shown at a trade show, and it seems the idea became “Let’s bring this to market!” There might not be much record of products that have made it to the end with “edgy designs” to this extent.

ーIt is edgy, but it seems like it would fit into various spaces well. Is it because it is simple?

Fundamentally, I dislike complicated shapes. This is because I think simple things that minimize elements as much as possible are more beautiful. Rather than something square with stiff over-prominent edges, have some degree of rounding, like adapting to people’s bodies. When I was an art college student, I thought “design” was making cool-looking things! Anyway, that was my image. As I was learning, I began to think that designing things people use in their lives was good.

ーSo, to Sharp, where you can design a wide range of consumer electronics?

That is correct. When I actually joined the company, my belief that “design is creating things that make the people who use them feel happy” became even stronger. Since these are products that people use in their daily lives, the design must get close to them. For this reason in particular, I will change the weak points for housewives and mothers who never have enough time into strengths and keep using this idea in future product designs. (Laughs.)

ー I get it. Mothers are strong.

Even so, I must constantly refine my sensitivity as a true designer. I will become dull over time if I don’t do anything… That reminds me. The design of this washing machine has been regarded highly within the company and was submitted to the jury of the Milan Furniture Fair. I have previously experienced going overseas for work and travel, but the Milan Furniture Fair was the best!

ーYou went to that fair of cutting-edge design! I am so jealous!

In essence I spent three days in Milan, and could not by any means see everything, but I was able to observe trends in color, materials and expression. The enthusiasm of every manufacture to “show their best in the world” was amazing. I am particularly interested in color and I ordinarily participate in color seminars, but I felt again that continuing to learn, taking in new things and having my own strengths are important.

ーAfter leaving your home for several days, wasn’t there a lot of work when you returned?

Actually, after returning to Japan, my husband and son have become a little bit more helpful! It seems they enjoyed doing housework together. Cooking and doing the washing. Until now, somewhere in my heart I thought that “I have to do this and that,” but now I feel a little lighter. I’m thankful for the cooperation of my family.

ーEveryone doing housework together is great. Of course, the washing machine in the Kuwahara household is…

Yes, Sharp! We bought it 10 years before when we built the house, a drum-type washing machine that I had longed for. Those days I was responsible for designing fax machines. Next time I buy a replacement, of course, I think I will choose a washing machine that I was involved in. I want to tell my son, “Mama designed this washing machine.”

More information about the product introduced is available here.

Note: The department that the author belongs to and the content of the article are correct at the time of writing.