Rethinking the waterworks - industrial design at the intersection of new technology and innovation
When Kamstrup approached us in 2009, they did not simply need a redesign of an existing product, but rather an entirely new line of products fit for the future. Technological innovations had shaken up the industry, so Kamstrup needed a new water meter, which allowed for remote readings, easy access and solid market appeal. The result of this was the MULTICAL 21 water meter, which proceeded to win both the German design Award and the international iF DESIGN AWARD for outstanding industrial design in 2012.
The MULTICAL 21 is an example of industrial design done right. The design for the MULTICAL 21 had to be developed with a host of things in mind:
- Industrial design has to be developed with design for manufacturing in mind. This means that the finished product has to be suitable for mass production - essentially meaning that all the components are easily producible, cost effective, solid and have the day-to-day usage of the whole product in mind. Furthermore, it needs to be easily assembled and disassembled, while also maintaining a pleasing aesthetic.
- Technological improvements had created the possibility of water meters which could be read remotely. Kamstrup wished to incorporate this into their new products. However, this also came with a host of issues which industrial design aims at solving: how do you make a product that is hermetically sealed, while also being radio accessible? How will power be supplied for a meaningful timeframe? Can you make a product that is both watertight and easily accessible and configurable?
- While redesigning a product often comes with a host of benefits and new features, it can make the end consumer doubt the quality of the new product. An element of aesthetics consideration thus had to be employed, so the final design would signal both quality, continuity and convenience in the end.
The design process we followed aimed at providing a product which universally solved these issues.
How great design comes about - the process of industrial design from research to concept
Successful design draws its inspiration from actual usage of the product. We started to outline which stakeholders were involved in production, usage and maintenance of the water meters. Identifying these actors allowed Design-People to investigate exactly what their pain points and needs were.
Focusing in on the installers, a couple of pain points were identified, all of which had to be considered and adjusted towards in the final product. For instance, most of the installers’ work was not related to installing entirely new piping. Rather, a large proportion of their work was about exchanging old water meters for new ones - which meant that the new water meters were required to retrofit already existing piping.
The issues found were noted and became constraints that the future design had to circumvent. For instance, the old design had a lid which prevented dust from gathering on the reader, allowing for easy readings. However, these were prone to breaking off and generally being unhandy when the water meter was installed in tight spaces. On top of that, the tight spaces that water meters often were found in were another pain point - every millimeter mattered. The design had to leave as much space as possible for screws, bolts and the hands of installers.
With these experiences in mind, we started developing concepts that would eventually lead to the final MULTICAL 21 design. However, purely observing the usage of the previous product would not do - the new technology which prompted the need for new design in the first place had to be integrated into the design.
The new design would, unlike the previous product, not be based around a mechanical reading of the water passing through the MULTICAL 21. It would utilize new ultrasound technology to measure the water passing through, limiting tampering with the product and the gathered data, as well as making remote data readings possible.
Integrating the remote reading technology proved to be defining in the MULTICAL 21’s final design. With the ultrasound measuring, the need for a lid was removed, allowing for entirely new possibilities for the design. On top of that, it allowed for and necessitated a hermetic seal of the water meter, resulting in the need for a strong material which could withstand the pressure, as well as allowing radio waves to readily permeate the water meter, making remote readings possible.
Beyond conceptualization - developing industrial design in practice
Based on these hurdles, we started the design process. Combining observations with technological innovations, a selection of concepts were developed. Any design process requires a steady flow of ideas, all of which refine the idea of what the final design needs to accomplish, while also discarding ideas which do not fit the overall vision of the product.
Another aspect to consider when doing industrial design, is the aesthetic requirements of the product. While many designs incorporate new technologies and provide solutions to pain points, only few drafts incorporate the aesthetics requirements as well, when the product will live a relatively hidden life. Any piece of industrial design is only as good as its reach on the market, and having aesthetic qualities that signal rigidity, quality and innovation, while also maintaining Kamstrup’s position as a manufacturer of high quality water meters, well known by most plumbers, installers and the like is vital.
Hence many of the above concepts were discarded. The square designs simply did not fit into the preconceived notion of what a water meter should look like - keep in mind, the old Kamstrup product also had the rounded, pipe-like look. The aesthetics of those products did not qualify them to become the final design. On top of that, one of the pain points observed was lack of space when installing the water meters, making the large, square design unfit.
A pleasing exterior is not everything, and the technological hurdles mentioned above still needed to be addressed. The hermetically sealed water meter needed to allow for local readings, while also making transmissions for remote readings possible. Various materials were tested to find the perfect solution, but we eventually landed on a plastic composite material, which could withstand the pressure of the water and was penetrable by radio waves.
This eventually led to the MULTICAL 21’s final appearance. Combining all the knowledge from observing the installers, integrating new technologies and being constantly aware of the impact that aesthetics have on the consumer, this was the final design concept that Design-People arrived at:
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Here a series of features provided a coherent and elegant solution to the myriad of problems that arose when updating the design:
- The ergonomic ridge at the lip of the product allowed someone to easily clean the meter with the swipe of a finger, removing the need for a lid.
- A bold appearance shows whether the meter is connected to the cold or the hot water pipes, as well as providing room for Kamstrup’s name.
- Careful attention to pre-existing piping allows for seamless retrofitting. The MULTICAL 21 can be installed quickly and simply into existing piping. On top of that, this attention to detail provided experienced people in the industry with the notion that this was a product of high quality and reliability.
- The plastic composite shell is robust and durable, making longevity an integral part of the MULTICAL 21 - an important aspect for any piece of industrial design, which will inevitably be subject to screwing, bolting and other procedures. The composite made remote readings possible, accommodating the new technology which necessitated the redesign in the first place.
The final product - how industrial design becomes iconic
The MULTICAL21 did not only live up to Kamstrup’s requirements for the new product, but also exceeded expectations. According to Allan Nielsen, Kamstrup’s Head of Strategic Business Developments:
”The MULTICAL® 21 digital water meter, shaped by Design-People, has been fundamental for success in the water sector for Kamstrup. The water meter is installed in millions of homes around the world and has become an icon for Danish design within the industry, setting the upper bar for quality and longevity.”
The MULTICAL 21 has proved how a proper investment into design is defining in creating an excellent product, which not simply meets its base requirements, but also exceeds expectations on multiple fronts. This is why the MULTICAL 21 was awarded the iF Design Award in 2012. It has proven not just to be a water meter which integrated new technology into careful industrial design, but has shown itself to be an industry icon.
We have learned a fair few things through the process of designing the MULTICAL 21, all of which has helped shape not just the product, but also Design-People’s philosophy as a whole. Some key takeaways from the design process include
- New design helps new technology. Industry never sleeps, so there is a constant influx of new technologies, all of which can be vital to a company’s success. Kamstrup pioneered a new water meter technology, which needed to live up to the industry standards, yet representing novelty within the business - the MULTICAL 21 did that through careful design.
- Retrofitting is often a key part of industrial design. New products often need to fit into an already existing holistic context - complex systems does not change overnight. Careful attention was paid to how installers had to implement the product. Industrial design is not simply about understanding the implementation of new technologies, but also about knowing how the new needs to fit in with the old and existing.
- Aesthetics are vitally important. It might seem inconsequential whether an industrial product, which will live its life in hidden places, looks good or not, but presentation can make or break a product’s market popularity - and when introducing a composite product into a very conservative business segment, that has always relied on the metal products, the importance of expressing trust through the design language becomes even more important.
By giving the meter a look that fits the somewhat “heavy” business segment, while also having a sleek and elegant look, the MULTICAL 21 assured industry professionals that this was a product that could be relied on for many years to come.
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