ge frontload washer

Team Spin Cycle

Brianne Veigl Khoa Ho Kendall Herdelin

Product Research

Our Mission pg. 8

Washers pg. 9

LG Pros and Cons pg.10-11

WHIRLPOOL Pros and Cons pg.12-13

SAMSUNG Pros and Cons pg.14-15

GE Pros and Cons pg. 16-17Contents10

Consumer Research

Interface Design

Interview Questions pg. 20-21

Demographics pg. 22-23

Purchasing pg. 24-25

Wash Process pg. 26-27

Life Expectancy pg. 28-29

Consumer Thoughts pg. 32-33

Live Consumer Interaction pg. 34-35

Mock-up Sketches pg. 36-39

Digital Mock-up Sketches pg. 40-41

Digital Mock-up Final pg.42-43

2 3

Product Research

7

1

Research: Our Mission

8

Research Phase Mission:Before undergoing a redesign of the user interface (UI) for a front-loading washing machine, we:

1. Visited local retailers to get feedback from:• The seller

• Nearby consumers

• Our own interaction

2. We interviewed 10 people about their washing machine experience.

3. Researched online to gather a wide range of information from consumer reviews and reactions.

After careful research this is what we discovered...

Brand: LGModel #: WM2650HRAWasher: 3.6 cu. ft. Front Loader Steamwasher with ColdwashColor: Wild Cherry RedMSRP: $999.99

Brand: GEModel #: GFWH1400WWWasher: 4.0 cu. ft. Energy Star Front LoaderColor: WhiteMSRP: $999.00

Brand: WhirlpoolModel #: WFW9151YWWasher: 3.5 cu. ft. Front Loader with TumbleFreshColor: WhiteMSRP: $849.00

Brand: SamsungModel #: WF330ANW/XANWasher: 3.7 cu. ft. Front LoaderColor: WhiteMSRP: $949.00

Product Research: Washers

9

Options on the buttons have the correct amount of spacing.

Displaying the cycle process is helpful.

Light indicating current selection.Good to have a timer on the LED screen.

Having buttons, for the extra cycle option, along the bottom of the LED screen is a good solution.

Buttons are optimal size.

Positioning of the power and start button is ideal because it is next to the dial.

LG PROS

10

Product Research: Analysis

LG

Cycle level icons should be the same.

Names of the cycles are not self explanatory.

Buttons are redundant

The LED screen has too much information in such as small area. The process symbols are unnecessary.

Is Cotton/Normal cycle the same as Color cycle?

Pink text on red background makes the text difficult to read.

CONS


11

The green line on the main dial showing and grouping the Eco-cycles.

Cycle names are easy to understand.

Applying bold style to main cycles.

Grouping of the Power and Start/Pause button with the main cycle dial.

Green LED color.

Washing time line is easy to understand and creative.

WHIRLPOOL PROS

12


Buttons are not placed in any specific order.

Buttons should not be position next to the LED screen if they do not correlate.

Does not look high technical.

13


WHIRLPOOL Cons

The text size and leading is ideal.

The text and buttons are align correctly which makes it easy to understand.

Play/Pause button is on the right side.

LED screen is simple.

Shows the washing process.

SAMSUNG PROS

14


SAMSUNG

Cycle names are not self explanatory.

Takes up a lot of space.

Power button is on the right side of the machine away from the dial.

Start/Pause button different shape than Power button.

Red lights makes look like it is in a state of caution.

CONS

15


The Cycle names are self explanatory. Only the most useful cycles are listed.

Green light indicating what cycle is currently picked.

Buttons and text aligned properly so it is easy to read and understand.

LED screen is very simple and clean.

GE PROS

16


GE

Dial feels too small

Buttons randomly place. They are not related to each other.

The Power and Start/Pause button should be grouped closer together if buttons are located on the same side of the washer. If not they should be on opposite sides.

Does not show the wash process.

Lock button should be bigger.

CONS

17


19

Consumer Research2

Background

What is your job/profession?

What is your income?

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What is the make up of your family?

Talk about other appliances/technologies/tools whose interface you like?

What about those you do not like?

Purchasing

What kind of washer do you have now?

What are your thought on front loading washers?

Does color or design of a washer play a role when you purchase a washer?

How important is appearance?

Wash Process

How often do you do laundry?

What is your routine/process?

Do you separate clothes?

Does your family member/s help out with wash?

What functions do you use most often?

Do you change wash settings?

What cycles do you use the most?

What do you like about your washer?

What do you not like about your washer?

What is the biggest problem you have with your washer?

How long should a washer last?

How do you feel about doing laundry

What do you look for in a washer?

In the ideal world, what would you like your washer to do?

20

Interview Questions

21

Consumer Research: Interview Questions

Demographics

Age Gender Job/Profession IncomeFamily Make-

up

24 Male Budget Analyst $35,000 - $40,000 Single

49 Female Merchandising Category Analyst $60,000 - $70,000 6 People

27 Female Investment Managements $45,000 - $50,000 Single

29 Female Clinical Trials $40,000 - $45,000 2 People

27 Female Event Coordinator $35,000 - $40,000 Single

27 Female Litigation $35,000 - $40,000 5 People

25 Female Marketing Administration $40,000 - $50,000 4 People

27 Female Travel Agent $30,000 - $40,000 2 People

28 Female Designer $35,000 - $40,000 2 People

25 Female Artist $30,000 - $35,000 2 People

22

Consumer Research: Demographics

23

Summary• Age:

• Average age was 28

• Gender:• 90% women & 10% man

• Job/Profession: Income ranging from $30,000 to $70,000.

• 60% making between $30,000 - $40,000

• 30% making between $40,000 - $50,000 a year

• 10% $60,000 - $70,000 a year

• Family make up: • 20% in a single household

• 40% in a two person household

• 40% in a four or more person household

24

WasherThoughts on Front

LoadersColor & Design Appearance

Whirlpool (Top-Loader) Look High Tech, Easier, Ergonomic Not important Not Important

Kenmore (Top-Loader) Easy, Looks Good Not important Not Important

GE (Top-Loader)High-efficiency, Ergonomic, Reassuring,

Cant Add ItemsImportant Important

GE (Front-Loader)Efficient, Cleans Better, Could Be Built

HigherSemi-Important Semi-Important

Kenmore (Front-Loader)

Good, Could be taller Very Important Very Important

Whirlpool (Front-Loader)

Bigger, Ergonomic, Cool Glass Window Important Very Important

Maytag (Top-Loader) Ergonomic, Could be taller Important Important

Whirlpool (Top-Loader) High Tech, Clean, Nice Not Important Not Important

Whirlpool (Front-Loader)

Cool, Easier, Ergonomic, Look Good Very Important Very Important

GE (Top-Loading) No Experience Not Important Not Important

Purchasing

Summary• Washer:

• 40% Whirllpool

• 30% GE

• 20% Kenmore

• 10% Maytag

• Thoughts on Front Loaders:• 90% had experience with a front-loading washer

giving good feedback about looks and use

• 10% had no experience

• Color & Design: • 20% said, "very important"

• 10% said, "semi-important"

• 30% said, "important"

• 40% said, "not important"

• Appearance: • 30% said, "very important"

• 20% said, "important"

• 10% said, "semi-important"

• 40% said, "not important"

Consumer Research: Purchasing

25

Wash ProcessLaundry

Frequency (weeks) Routine

Do You Separate

How Do You Separate

Most Used Functions

4 Separate and wash YesColors, Delicate, Non-Delicate,

Towels and Sheets Whites, Colors and Delicate

1Every Saturday

MorningYes

Colors, Type Of Clothing And Fabric

Delicate and Cotton

2Sort’em And

Load’emYes Colors Brights

1Dark First, Colors

Then WhitesYes Dark, Colors and Whites Normal And Cotton

1 Separate and Wash Yes Dark, Whites and Towels Permanent Press

1 Separate and Wash YesColors, Darks And Types Of Gar-

mentsHeavy Loads

3 Separate and Wash Yes Colors, Delicate and whites All Of Them

1 Wash No N/A Normal Wash

1 Separate and Wash Yes Whites, Darks and Colors Normal Wash

1 Separate and Wash YesWhites, Lights, Dark, Jeans and

TowelsNormal Wash

26

Consumer Research: Wash Process

27

Summary• Laundry Frequency:

• 70% weekly

• 30% every two weeks or more

• Routine:• 90% separate and wash

• 10% just wash

• Do you separate:• 90% separate

• 10% do not

• How do you separate:• 90% separate their wash into two or more groups

• 10% do not

• Most used functions: • 40% use the normal/cotton wash function

• 20% use the color and delicate functions

• 10% uses “all of them”

• 10% use heavy loads

• 10% use brights

• 10% use permanent press.

Dealing with today’s technology and the prices consumers have to pay to get such magnificent technological machines, we thought it would be a good idea to figure out what it would mean for the consumer to get his or her money’s worth on a washer, so we asked, “How long should a washing machine last?”

From the 10 people we interviewed this is what we found...

28

Life Expectancy

50 YEARS

25 YEARS

20 YEARS

15 YEARS

10 YEARS

9 YEARS

7 YEARS

Consumer Research: Life Expectancy

One of the questions that was asked in our interview was about what people like about their washer and what people does not like, this is what they had to say.

Consumer Thoughts

31

ConsPros

• It is easy to use

• Large tubs

• It gets the job done

• Variety of options

• Under the lid of the washer there is a description for each interface feature

• Washes clothes

• Easy to use

• Looks good

• Delicate does not work

• Makes loud noise

• Not cost efficient

• Breaks down a lot

• No see through windows

• Not ideal for large loads

• Constantly trying to figure out what function to use, not sure what selection is best

• Does not know how to use the other functions

Consumer Research: Consumer Thoughts

Consumer Research: Live Consumer Interaction

32

Name: Nick ProfittAge: 27Gender: MaleProfession: Medical Sales RepWasher: Maytag (Top-Loader)

Consumer Research: Live Consumer Interaction

Talk about other appliances/technology tools whose interfaces you like?

I use my iPhone and iPad mostly for work. I like the ability to scroll to with my fingers to get to different applications. I also like that my iPhone and iPad synchronize so that I do not have to enter data into both things.

What do you look for in a washer?

I would like a washer that looks sleek and clean with interface options that are easy to understand and use. Most importantly, I want it to clean my clothes and keep them looking new.

What do you like about your washer?

Under the lid of our washer there is a description for each of the interface features which is helpful when making a selection.

What do you not like about your washer?

Our washer is an older model so doesn’t have the latest technologies and features. It looks out of date and the interface features are probably out of date as well. It is also a smaller washer so isn’t ideal for very large loads (such as comforters).

What’s the biggest problem you have with your washer?

The biggest problem is deciding which interface options to choose. I feel like I am never consistent. Instead I am guessing which selection is best for my load.

33

Interface Design Strategy

Simple Attractive Effective

3

36

Interface Design: Mock-up Sketches

• Having the power button and start/pause button on the right helped free up room for the dial area, but did not work with our idea of working left to right on the interface.

• Dial options are grouped oddly.

• Buttons under LED are not grouped in effective way.

• Having power and start/pause to the left made everything on the left side seem cluttered.

• LED is too small.

• Buttons surrounding LED is not grouped in an effective way.


37

• Power, Start/Pause and Dial is simple, attractive and effective.

• LED is big and clear.

• Buttons underneath LED are not grouped in effective way.

• Buttons left of LED are working effectively.

• Temp, Spin and Soil buttons are not attractive.


38

• Circle lights are easier on the eyes than squares or rectangle.

• Temp, Spin and Soil buttons are attractive and effective but makes everything too cluttered.

39


• Dial is clear and effective.

• Power and Start/Pause are placed in easy to identify areas.

• LED is big and easy to read.

• Buttons left of LED are grouped effectively.

• Temp, Spin and Soil buttons are attractive and grouped effectively.

Interface Design: Digital Sketches

40

• Temp, Spin and Soil options are not aligned effectively.

• LED screen size is effective.

• eWash, Prewash, Extra Rinse and Rinse & Spin buttons are creating their own section apart from Dial and LED screen.

• Cycle process doesn't indicate finished cycle.

• LED screen taking up too much interface space.

41:17eWash Delay Wash Prewash Extra Rinse Rinse + Spin

WhitesColors

(normal)

Delecates(hand wash)

Stain Wash

Sanitize

Heavy Duty

Speed Wash

Drain & Spin Basket Clean

Power Start / Pause(add garment)

Temp

Spin

Soil

Fill

Washing Process

Time Remaining

Wash Drain Rinse Spin Finish

TapCold

Cold Warm Hot ExtraHot

NoSpin

Low Med High ExtraHigh

ExtraLight

Light Med Heavy ExtraHeavy

Volume

^̂

Lock

41:17

eWash

Prewash

Extra Rinse

Rinse + Spin

Whites

Colors(normal)


Sanitize

Bulky/Heavy Duty

Speed Wash

Basket Clean


Temp Spin Soil

Fill Wash Drain Rinse Spin Finish

TapCold

Cold

Warm

Hot

ExtraHot

NoSpin

Low

Med

High

ExtraHigh

ExtraLight

Light

Med

Heavy

ExtraHeavy

Interface Design: Digital Sketches

41

• Options under LED are grouped ineffectively.

• Steam Cycle indicator line needs work.

• Blue colored text indicating steam cycles too distracting.

• Options under LED are grouped ineffectively.

41:17

Whites

Colors(normal)


Stain Wash

Sanitize

Heavy Duty

Speed Wash


Steam Cycles


Fill

Washing Process

Time Remaining


Temp

Spin

Soil

TapCold


NoSpin


ExtraLight


Volume

^̂

Lock

eWash Delay Wash Prewash Extra Rinse Rinse + Spin

41:17

WhitesColors

(normal)


Stain Wash

Sanitize

Heavy Duty

Speed Wash


Steam Cycles


Fill

Washing Process

Time Remaining


Temp

Spin

Soil

TapCold


NoSpin


ExtraLight



Interface Design: Digital Mockup Final


WhitesColors

(normal)

Delicates(hand wash)

Stain Wash

Sanitize

Basket Clean

Heavy Duty

Speed Wash

Drain & SpinSteam Cycle


Spin

Temp

Soil

Fill

Washing Process

Time Remaining


Hold for 3 seconds

TapCold

NoSpin

ExtraLight

Cold

Low

Light

Warm

Med

Med

Hot

High

Heavy

ExtraHot

ExtraHigh

ExtraHeavy

88 8841:17

42

• Simple, Attractive and Effective.

Interface Design: Digital Mockup Final

43


WhitesColors

(normal)


Stain Wash

Sanitize

Basket Clean

Heavy Duty

Speed Wash



Spin

Temp

Soil

Fill

Washing Process

Time Remaining


Hold for 3 seconds

TapCold

NoSpin

ExtraLight

Cold

Low

Light

Warm

Med

Med

Hot

High

Heavy

ExtraHot

ExtraHigh

ExtraHeavy

88 8841:17


WhitesColors

(normal)


Stain Wash

Sanitize

Basket Clean

Heavy Duty

Speed Wash



Spin

Temp

Soil

Fill

Washing Process

Time Remaining


Hold for 3 seconds

TapCold

NoSpin

ExtraLight

Cold

Low

Light

Warm

Med

Med

Hot

High

Heavy

ExtraHot

ExtraHigh

ExtraHeavy

88 8841:17

• LED screen is large, clear and displays necessary information in a effective way.

• Buttons surrounding LED is placed effectively.

• Dial is large and easy to navigate with indicator lights.

• Power and Start/Pause buttons are large and placed in effective way.

• Text size is clear and simple.

• Steam Cycle is clearly indicated.

ge frontload washer

Documents