Ben Zaslow

I was tasked with redesigning a product that would use light to enhance it's utility. I chose to redesign the kitchen timer.

I was tasked with redesigning a product that would use light to enhance it's utility. I chose to redesign the kitchen timer.

I discovered that a lot of what happens in the kitchen is about feeling professional. People don't need timers anymore. They're built into every stove, microwave, smartphone, and iPad. And yet they still exist. Physical timers are becoming luxury items, and I knew that this timer needs to reflect that luxury. In a nutshell, the kitchen is the stage, and the home chef loves the perfect prop.

I went shopping with my users, and I discovered that the perfect prop conveys it's value through scale, material selection, and functionality.

I went shopping with my users, and I discovered that the perfect prop conveys it's value through scale, material selection, and functionality. Based on these observations, I dove into sketching, and developed conceptual directions.

Evaluation of 3 best concepts based on earlier value breakdown of: scale, material, and function.

I designed the kitchen timer through a series of material tests, and created a form that was sculptural and felt professional.

In my final design, I created a kitchen timer that is larger than most timers, and is blend of high end materials and tactile functionality. A sophisticated minimal interface that is more "Movado" than "Timex", paired with stained walnut, pure milled aluminum, and translucent silicone.

In my final design, I created a kitchen timer that is larger than most timers, and is blend of high end materials and tactile functionality. A sophisticated minimal interface that is more "Movado" than "Timex", paired with stained walnut, pure milled aluminum, and translucent silicone.

In my final design, I created a kitchen timer that is larger than most timers, and is blend of high end materials and tactile functionality. A sophisticated minimal interface that is more "Movado" than "Timex", paired with stained walnut, pure milled aluminum, and translucent silicone.

The interface is simple...

You twist to set the timer...

After the timer unwinds…

The buzzer and light go off, providing both an audible and visual cue...

And you depress the silicone membrane to turn off the strobe.

And you depress the silicone membrane to turn off the strobe.

It's called duality timer. Designed to be priced at $75 in boutique kitchen stores.