Flow

Flow embodies my passion for optimizing industrial design. Despite remaining largely unchanged for decades, traditional dustpans are often clumsy and inefficient.  However, attempts to improve on classic designs can often lead to unnecessary complexity. Flow strikes a balance, perfecting the dustpan design while maintaining simplicity, affordability, and mass producibility.

The key innovation lies in the simple hinge that connects the pan and handle. This thoughtful mechanism allows the dustpan to function as usual, but with a twist. When the leading edge rests on the rim of a trash can, the hinge opens a chute that funnels dust and debris directly into the bin, eliminating the messy process of shaking out the contents.

To meet project requirements, I aimed to incorporate 40% wood into the design. However, through experimentation with sheet material for sketch modeling, I discovered that the entire dustpan could be crafted from just two laser-cut pieces of sheet plastic, folded into shape. This streamlined approach ensures affordable, rapid manufacturing, making Flow an ideal solution for mass-market production.