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Jan 2024 - Mar 2024 | 8 weeks
Mitaté Rice Washer
The Mitaté Rice Washer, made from recycled plastic, simplifies washing rice with its eco-friendly design. It features a strainer and bowls to collect and store rice water for sustainable use.
Sustainability
Ideation
Prototyping
Project Type /
University Individual Project
Brief
Students will create a Life-Centered Design solution addressing a real-world problem, focusing on function, aesthetics, ergonomics, cost, and sustainability.
The Issue of Water Scarcity
Water demand is projected to increase 55% globally by 2050
According to UNESCO,
Over 2 billion people worldwide will face water scarcity by 2050
To increase water availability & address scarcity, we can recycle wastewater
A significant wastewater source in many households is washed rice water
Cleaning Agent
Rice water's slight acidity makes it ideal for cleaning
Plant Fertilizer
Rice water provides essential NPK fertilizers for plants
Face Cleanser
Rice water has minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids
Hair Wash
Inositol in rice water helps repair damaged hair
There are various ways to
reuse rice water
Gathering User Perspectives
I interviewed several individuals who regularly cook rice to gain insights into their experiences with rice washing and to
understand the challenges they encounter when trying to adopt more sustainable practices in their daily routines.
"I do reuse rice water, but washing and storing it can be time-consuming, and I'm not sure if I'm being sustainable enough.
- Trang Nguyen, 48 years old
"I wash rice often, but reusing the water is difficult to manage and store. There should be a way to simplify the process."
- Helen Pavlov, 20 years old
What's the Main Problem?
Many adults waste water when washing rice and find it inconvenient to collect for reuse. Current rice-washing products lack efficiency, ergonomics, and sustainability.
What's the Design Goal?
I will design a product to help adults minimize water wastage and easily collect rice water for reuse, making their rice-washing process at home more eco-friendly and efficient.
Form & Style Inspiration
For the aesthetic and form of the product, I wanted it to be minimal, organic, smooth, sleek, and use a monotone color palette.
Refining Top 3 Concepts
After collecting user feedback and refining my ideas, I selected three standout concepts. Ultimately, I chose the
Modular Petal Bowl for its elegant design and adaptability, making it both visually appealing and highly functional.
Filtered Rice Pitcher
Refined Concept 1
3 Piece Stacking Bowls
Refined Concept 2
Modular Lotus Petals
Refined Concept 3
Testing Proof-of-Concept Prototype
During testing, users commented that they preferred the circular bowl shape for washing rice in round motions. They also emphasized ergonomics.
Finalizing Design & Details
From Concept to Reality: Mitate Rice Washer
Creating the Final Prototype
To create the final prototype, I 3D-modeled and printed the Mitaté Rice Washer, then primed, sanded, and painted each piece before assembling them together.
Plant Fertilizer
Cleaning Agent
Live Sustainably by Reusing Rice Water
Facial Cleanser
Hair Wash
Wash rice in the top bowl
Collect rice water for reuse in the middle & bottom bowls
Exploring the Mitaté Rice Washer in Depth
All of the recycled polypropylene bowls will be injection molded. The measurement lines decal will be laser printed on the top plastic bowl.
Transform Rice Water
From Waste to Wellness
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