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Mar 2023 - May 2023 | 6 weeks
Coola Mini Fan
Keep cool at home or on the go using the Coola Mini Fan. Its sleek, minimalistic appearance adds a touch of style to any setting. Users have the flexibility to hang the fan on a wall or prop it up on a table.
Design Research
3D CAD Modeling
Prototyping
Project Type /
University Individual Project
Brief
Using reverse engineering, redesign a small electric or battery-operated household device/appliance.
Awards
May 2023: Best Small Home Appliance CAD Model & Renders
Researching Mini Fans on the Market
Opportunity Map
Finding New Areas to Innovate
By creating an opportunity map, I found areas that were not fully discovered by the mini fan market, such as portable and easy-to-clean blades.
Testing the Holmes Mini Fan
By Conducting a Task Analysis
I conducted user research to find pain points and design opportunities from an existing mini fan on the market.
01.
Hard to Clean
Mini fans collect dust, lowering performance, and are hard to clean with the grills.
02.
Not Multipurpose
Many mini fans can only be used on a table or a flat surface area.
03.
Limited Portability
Many mini fans lack handles or hooks, making them difficult to carry on the go.
04.
Poor Ergonomics
Most mini fans are hard to hold due to their front and back grills.
05.
Poor Stability
Many mini fans lack stability and often tip over, even on flat surfaces.
Common Issues with Most Mini Fans
Reverse Engineering
Understanding Structure and Internals
To understand how the Holmes Mini Fan operated, I took apart the product and looked at the components inside.
Side View Volumetric
Holmes Mini Fan
I created a volumetric drawing for the side view of the Holmes Mini Fan to illustrate how the fan looks from that angle, and how different parts of the mini fan relate to each other. I also wanted to understand the location and dimensions of the internal components inside the mini fan.
“I will design a mini fan that is easy to clean, highly portable, ergonomic, stable, and multipurpose so people can use it in many different settings.”
Form & Style Inspiration
I wanted the product to be compact, adaptable, sleek, simple, and have a monotone color palette.
Developing the Final Design
During refinement, I simplified the strap and used ribbon blades for a retro feel. I removed the grills for easier cleaning and kept the design minimal and neutral.
Fabricating Final Prototype
To build the prototype, I 3D printed the fan pieces, primed, and painted them. Then, I added the ribbons, strap, logo, and internal components before assembling.
Inside the Coola Mini Fan
Safe & Convenient
The fan is easier to clean without grills, and the ribbon blades are safer. I also used snap hooks instead of screws for a simpler design.
Dissecting the Design: A Look into the Manufacturing Process
Injection molding ABS plastic for all plastic parts. EVA foam, ribbons, and internals will be outsourced and attached separately.
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