Simplehuman Slim Can
Challenge
simplehuman is known for its premium stainless steel trash cans. To expand its product range, the brand wanted to develop a more affordable large-capacity plastic trash can. The challenge was to reduce cost while maintaining its established design quality and modern home aesthetic.
Design Strategy
The design began with product durability, shipping efficiency, and the experience of using the can at home. Market research and concept exploration led to a clean, slim form and a nestable body that makes better use of shipping space, balancing cost with product quality.
Key Design Decisions
To address the tendency of plastic pedals to break, the design uses a metal pedal for improved durability. It also includes rear wheels for easier movement, a lid lock to prevent pets from opening the can accidentally, and a soft-close lid for quiet operation.
Design Development
The work progressed from design sketches to 3D modeling in SolidWorks, refining the body proportions, overall form, and functional configuration. The design considered more than appearance, bringing the nestable body and product features together with practical production requirements.
Outcome
The product completed design development and entered mass production. As production demand grew, the number of mold sets for the same product increased from one to three.
Design Participation
- Deep Involvement
- Collaborative Support
- Not Involved
- Research
- Strategy
- Concept
- Design
- CMF
- Engineering
- Production