Cirrus
Self-care anywhere.
One of the 2020-21 SUGAR Projects was a collaboration between Design Factory Melbourne, inno.space Mannheim and German company Hansgrohe. Masters students from design, engineering and computer science backgrounds were challenged to develop a product that taps into the emerging self-care market and can improve the health and wellbeing of users. The team created Cirrus, a portable steamer that allows users to practice self-care at home and on the go.
THE TEAM
THE CLIENT
Based in Germany, Hansgrohe is a sanitary fittings manufacturer with their luxury branch, AXOR, creating product solutions in the bathroom and kitchen. Hansgrohe are looking to increase their offerings in this area, and sought fresh perspectives from students on how products can be used to promote health and wellbeing.
THE CHALLENGE
How might we use water to create a beauty ritual which improves health and wellbeing? The concept of self-care has become prominent recently, as people place growing importance on the need to reduce stress and care for their own mental and physical wellbeing. The bathroom has become more than just a space for physical cleaning, serving also as a space for mental and physical self-care. Hansgrohe is concentrating on creating product solutions for the bathroom that are tailored to customer’s beauty needs, and challenged the team of students to develop a product that contributes to a user’s personal beauty routine.
THE SOLUTION
The team designed Cirrus, a portable and lightweight steamer for use at home or when travelling. The cylinder formed product is equipped with an adjustable handle to be positioned in all kinds of angles and on any surface. The steamer can be used for facial skincare, skin preparation before shaving, muscle relaxation, and more. Temperature and steam amount are adjustable as per user preference, as the steam is produced via ultrasonic transducers. Users can use hot steam to improve blood circulation and increase the skin’s absorption, making usage of products such as serums, creams or essences more effective. Cold steam is beneficial during hot summers and for vitalizing and refreshing the skin.
Cirrus allows for users to easily practice self-care wherever they are, meeting Hansgrohe’s goals of providing products which improve the wellbeing of users.