Simplification of a product is the designer’s challenge

Alloy Total Product Development’s concept kettle (DW 29 November) is similar to a product we developed in 1992.

Having built a working prototype we approached various UK manufacturers with the idea of licensing, marketing and manufacturing the product. In the event it would have been easier to teach the cat to read.

Our idea was to boil water in a jug by lowering an element into the water. On reaching boiling point the element withdrew from the jug back into its housing.

Alloy’s idea of transferring water from the jug into a separate boiling tank is a much simpler and better idea. I wish I had thought of that.

David Crisp

Crisp Product Design Associates

London E8