Single Slice Toaster
Spring 2020
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a5ab88d6a7c51f6ff71f622fb8d6f1dac8a44963fb48badb942ddffcab117ee5/Toaster_Studio01.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fc70aa46c8a7c5a757f2c65ca95e35dd2f944ad7c42c2f2ca6fced8fc1c4a41b/toaster-final.66.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1b4586dadace31c764259014d4f49454f3738369d9002ff3b9d32a422f55c35c/Toaster_Studio02.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/851e4941564640b1e4da5af547b6813c6050b7fb3c3a53aeda1d582393cf95cd/Toaster_Context2.jpg)
Goal:
to design a toaster that expresses its interaction, purpose and functionality through its formal language and features.
Overview:
this project was achieved through sketching ideas, 3D modeling with SolidWorks, and rendering in Keyshot.
Time Frame:
2 weeks
01. Initial research
To begin, I learned about the history of the toaster and how a conventional toaster works. It was interesting to learn about the toaster from the inside out, allowing me to make rational decisions in the later process of designing.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/746097322b33b57949dab129552ed7ec76e09966f6122f7813f13e992e727552/img004.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/de3eb02ef0e18fe5bb1ae567da2509230270580d82d52cf6ed31a5c665fe250c/img009.jpg)
02. Form Exploration
I first explored various interactions between the toaster and the bread, and decided on to create a toaster that is safe to users who feels fear by the toaster's heat and electricity.
I decided to design a toaster that eliminates the need of contacting the bread after it is being toasted.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6d58af873c8ac0c1ff29dfbfad5f7d45a6d7fe2199929999d7ca6e2c27846d4c/Untitled-13.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b051fcb58eeb295e3aa6b16f11a3d35ac4a10f7ff29efcf57385265f7762c525/Untitled-15.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cbd5b69e03a2454aadf6c0e0904f7fdc558bc822f64f6d823ad9d351c37df11c/Untitled-14.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fbf815798328e9bc4a6e4941a74142acb87b0c8ca2f5a20d939c9f9699d30397/Untitled-16.jpg)
Final direction
The Toaster would rest in a slanted posture, in which the toasting part rotates downward to a plate after the bread is done toasting. After deciding the direction, I enhanced the form considering the semantics and visual consistency's relationship with the interaction of the toaster.
• Sides will be flushed, making the form complete in its default state
• Slanted opening invites bread to be inserted
• Curve on the tray informs placement of a plate to receive the bread
• Controls and timer visually connects with the overall language of form
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a2c1e3d8d36d7a9b1da78bdeb794161b4e9def554f46395292ffe5c0004e6e11/toaster-final.jpg)
© CHARMAINE QIU 2024