The current paper shredder market is filled with over-styled, complex and functionally-frustrating products. In response, we have designed the Aperture paper shredder to unobtrusively blend into any home or small office environment. Functionally, the design is simplistic and reductive. There are only two buttons: auto and reverse. Paper shredders traditionally have a viewing window on the front surface, which requires users to bend-down to see the product contents. Instead, to improve ergonomics, we have created a viewing hole by extending the casing of the product, allowing the user to investigate the contents from standing. This hole also doubles as a seamless pull-handle. These functional improvements have also allowed us to create a clean, neutral and uninterrupted form factor, which would be naturally suited to range of interior styles and scenarios.
During our research we noticed that most paper shredders have a power cable which exits from the top of the product, as this is where the components are located. However, this cable position causes complications in terms of positioning, not to mention; it is aesthetically unpleasant. Due to this, we created a cable channel on the inside of the casing and relocated the power cable to the bottom of the product. The simplified controls are hidden behind the pull-handle, while still being easily accessible.
Services:
Design Strategy
Brand Strategy
Industrial Design
Product Design
Design for Manufacture (DFM)
Visualisation
Art Direction
In addition to the white CMF direction, supplementary colour palettes have been inspired by the woods used to make paper.
