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up&up's First Power Tool
In 2024, the cleaning team identified the growing popularity of electric cleaning tools, and chose to investigate what potential opportunities there may be for Target's brand up&up.
Market Research
Using both internal tools, retailers' websites, and brands' pages, I collected key details of this product category. Customer reviews were also analyzed.
Product Testing
Initial market research showed 3 major brands or products that up&up might compete with.
I had others test 2 handheld electric scrubbers and 2 pole versions.
Insights and Strategy
The heaviest variables for the product type to go after were margin and offering customers a similar product to what was on shelves at a value. With this, the team moved forward with the pole-based design.
Industrial Design Strategy
Brand Mood Board
Product Form Inspiration
Supported by research done during the redesign of up&up, the hard good products' form should be soft, friendly, and approachable.
Sketching
CAD
Visualization
Product Direction (Tech Pack)
After aligning on the design concept, the design and engineering team created a document of specifications, considerations, and outstanding elements that need to be defined by the manufacturing teams.
In the case of this product, Target bid this business opportunity to three vendors. From this point, we develop the product with each vendor while learning their capabilities, timelines, and costing.
Development
The three vendors interpreted our direction and submitted their own version, or multiple configurations, adjusting them to fit their needs while aligning with our intent.
The design team took the vendors' content and reported back to the cross functional team, sharing their findings, and referencing it against the costing, country of origin, responsible sourcing requirements, packaging capabilities and timing.
Prototyping
Pivoting design
As the team progressed through development, we learned that we could relocate the battery from the pole to the handle within the existing costing constraints. This would allow customers to use the product without the pole attached, adding functionality.
After three rounds of design and sampling (delivering both 3D models and physical prototypes), the cross functional team aligned on one vendor.
Packaging and Artwork
In order to communicate the right product information best to customers, the design team support the graphics team with content as a guide or foundation for their work.
Instruction Manual
The design team also designed the instruction manual
Final Product
More product photos coming soon
Thanks for your time checking out this project!
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