In this competitive world, it has become vital to research a subject, find out the problems the consumers are facing, develop a concept out of it and then imply it while manufacturing the product. ‘Bridge Factory Product Design’ is one such Toronto-based Industrial Design firm that focuses on the concept – of manufacturing. It understands and integrates the complex experience of the users using the product. Its product design quality has made it win various awards like Hip at Neocon (Interior Design) in 2014, Good Design Award in 2011, and International Design Award (HIDO) in 2007. The firm has designed various products out of which a few are discussed below:
1. MUUV Chair
In today’s era, in most careers, people sit for multiple hours in one position. Sitting on a chair that destroys your body posture affects your health. Without dynamic movement and proper spinal support, it increases the risk of degenerative arthritis and joint pain. It even increases the risk of muscle pain. The Align1 solutions hired the Bridge Factory to design a chair that allows the spine to move in 3 ways: 1) Flexion and extensions, 2) Side bending 3) Rotating.
The design allows you to sit up with your back straight. It aligns your hips, ears, and shoulders when you are seated. And you can comfortably place your foot on the floor. The proper posture increases the practical work by increasing the user’s concentration, sense of well-being, and physical functionality. It allows muscles to work efficiently and ensure proper breathing. ‘MUUV’s groundbreaking flexible bow and pad structure effectively combines principles from engineering with practices from anatomy and the study of human movement to help you sit smarter, work better and achieve more.’ (Solutions, 2018)
2. Urban Cultivator
To provide healthy and organic herbs, vegetables, and microgreens to each one while reducing carbon footprint, Urban Cultivator hired Bridge Factory to design a fully automated kitchen garden. As the design is fully automated, it allows several different plants to be cultivated and controls the amount of water, light, oxygen, temperature, humidity, nutrients, and PH level water through a smartphone/ tablet. There are various benefits of having an urban cultivator. The users get delicious dishes to eat as it offers intense and unique flavors. Research suggests that microgreens have a nine times higher nutrient level than mature greens. The studies by the University of California convey that vegetables can lose 15 to 55% of Vitamin C within a week. Thus, Urban Cultivator can give us fresh vegetables (filled with Vitamins) on our tables. The design concepts are for both: Residential as well as commercial product lines.
‘Plant each flat in a matter of minutes, and with a little weekly maintenance you’ll be able to enjoy lush, flavorful greens in days.’ (Anon., 2010) One doesn’t have to sacrifice the overall language of the kitchen. The installation is simple as it is plumbed directly to power and water. The size and shape are such that it fits in a standard dishwasher profile. There is also a stand-alone model with wheels named ‘island style.’ The Urban Cultivator, made of maple butcher block, can be placed under the counter, and one can get 100% organic greens for 365 days.
‘Harvest what you need, when you need it, and let the rest continue to grow.’ (Anon., 2010) It maximizes yield with minimum energy consumption. It makes the store visually appealing with hydroponic technology where one can grow their greens with reduced waste and unnecessary costs. It is cost-effective as well. ‘Depending on the number of greens you go through per month, the urban cultivator commercial can pay for itself in just under a year.’ (Anon., 2010)
3. Cydia Chair
Inspired by the lightness of the butterfly wing, Cydia’s airy frame was designed by Bridge Factory and has 9to5 seating. It is an aesthetic-driven family seating. There are various models of Cydia chairs: a high-back task chair, low-back task chair, lounger, and accompanying side chairs. It won the ‘Inaugural Interior Design Hip Award and got selected under the ‘Budget Minded Category’ for a product of exceptional value. It is a progressive manufacturing technology providing the best form and function.
4. Coleman Evenheat
Coleman Evenheat focuses on functionalities and aesthetic design cues for better performance than the existing outdoor grills. It uses the newly developed technology named – ‘Burner technology.’ It evenly distributes heat across the entire cooking surface. The newly developed technology like a digital fuel gauge and insta-start igniting builds trust in their users. The cast lid slides, robust connection points, and quality materials highlight the sturdiness and quality of the grill. Canadian Tire launched the grill as ‘Coleman Even Heat Grill’ (2010) because of its enhanced design. It was also awarded the ‘International Good Design Award’ in 2011.
5. The Nourish Chair
‘A normal scenario involving patient seating is transferring the patient from the chair to a bed, wheelchair or differently purposed chair.’ (Anon., 1997) In this process, the healthcare providers, facilities workers, and family members face difficulties. The Nourish Chair is a unique industrial design, simple to use, and available at an accessible price. The healthcare workers can swing the armrests back and out of the way with one button of the Nourish chair. Today’s healthcare environment is fast-paced and requires easily movable furniture. The tucked-away wheels in the Nourish chair allow space and avoid safety issues. The rear-mounted handle in the chair provides comfort to the patient. The chair is light in weight due to the use of fewer materials. Its active and motivating aesthetic makes it visually lighter and springs up the patient towards health. The contoured black color increases the sense of comfort, and the large tubular legs enhance the feel of safety and stability. The deconstructed approach makes it easy for the facility workers to clean under the chair.
6. The Dignity Toilet
More than 1.1 billion people do not have access to improved drinking water supplies, and 2.6 billion people live without proper sanitation. During the rainy season, the drinking water of the rural area gets contaminated by waste. The drainage, run-offs, and excrement enters residences and contaminates groundwater tables, wells, and swimming areas. This contamination of water leads to skin diseases, diarrhea, typhoid fever, and malaria. The Bridge Factory participated in HIDO (Humanitarian Industrial Design Organization) toilet design competition, where it stood first.
The toilet is made of sealed sanitary storage for solid waste, where three people can use it for seven days. It is then removed from the dock and taken to a pre-determined communal area away from the water supply. It is emptied manually into the soil, where the waste gets mixed with it for quick decomposition. As the toilet can store the waste for seven days, the community can easily comply with the disposal system. The spread of diseases does not occur as the decomposition is quicker.
7. The Harmony Magic Mouse
The diminutive size of the magic mouse pains many of its users while using it. The Harmony Magic Mouse brings unique functionality and comfort with an aesthetic design. The ergonomic challenges of the magic mouse through harmony reduces hand strain, especially the pain in the outer two fingers.
8. Lite Chair
Global Total Office hired the Bridge Factory to design an elegant modern chair. The structure of metal and ribbed mesh of contemporary neutrals and chromatic hues cover. The chair has a diverse range of fabric, frame, and arm options for its users. The mesh and frame construction are comfortable for people to sit in. The light and modern aesthetic gives a good seating option for the 21st-century office.
9. Cuisinart Gourmet Barbecue
An ethnographic study was conducted to understand barbecue cooking. In Cuisinart Gourmet Barbecue, a series of grills helps to have precision and good performance for backyard barbecuing. Quality materials and details are implied in the cooking appliance to give a professional cooking experience. It has a cast grill surface to have even heating across the cooking surface.
10. Craftsman Garden Tools
Bridge Factory designed the tools prioritizing its aesthetics, prototyping, and mechanism development. It has an interchangeable ergonomic handle consisting of three robust cast and aluminum heads with a locking mechanism.
Bridge Factory, a consultancy source, selects the appropriate people to meet the user’s project needs. In today’s world, the understanding of ergonomics has become vital if one wants to succeed in the competitive era of the 21st century.
References:
- Anon., 1997. Bridge Factory. [Online]
Available at: https://www.bridgefactory.com/#/the-nourish-chair/
[Accessed July 2022]. - Anon., 2010. Urban Cultivator. [Online]
Available at: https://www.urbancultivator.net/commercial-cultivator/
[Accessed July 2022]. - Anon., n.d. 9to5 Seating. [Online]
Available at: https://9to5seating.com/product-detail/?chair_id=100
[Accessed July 2022]. - Solutions, A., 2018. Align1 Solutions. [Online]
Available at: https://align1solutions.com/2018/06/25/are-you-sitting-smart/
[Accessed July 2022].
