Designed for first-time buyers migrating from hand to machine wash, Ace XL is an investment that eliminates mundane manual labour. The design is impactful, addressing the daily challenges of unorganised living conditions. With its simplicity and mobility, Ace XL fills gaps in the flow of tasks, easing and improving the functional aspect of daily life.
The Ace XL is distinctive in its iconic and suggestive directional design. It features distinct lids for washing and drying, a round wash area for better cloth movement, and an asymmetric boat shape with visible wheels for suggested mobility, flexibility, and ergonomics. The first-in-market unibody colour scheme and tinted transparent lids with a chrome finish touchpoint give a hi-tech and premium feel. This design, coupled with a rust-free and shock-proof 100% plastic body, makes the machine safe, robust, and visually appealing.
The design process of Ace XL was a meeting point of accurate consumer insights and out-of-the-box thinking. The product, belonging to an opening price point segment, is cost-sensitive in terms of material process and assembly. It demands frugally driven innovations, simple technology, and robust application. The design pushes the properties of the material involved to its full potential, utilising plastic moulding to achieve its unique form and functionality.
The Ace XL is the result of extensive research into the lifestyle, habits, and culture of its target consumer segment. The design addresses the primary pain points of the consumer's lifestyle, such as scarcity of basic amenities like water and electrical supply, and the need for mobility due to space constraints. The design's asymmetric boat-like directional design with visible wheels connotes much-needed easy mobility, while the distinct wash and spin dry lids make the task at hand feel simpler.
In conclusion, Chandradhar Singh Rathore's Ace XL is a trailblazer in the world of semi-automatic washing machines. Despite the cost sensitivity and conservative mindset of the consumer segment, the design has become the backbone of the semi-automatic business of Whirlpool of India. It provides a strong foundation for a successful future, proving that design can truly be transformative.
Project Designers: Vishwaksen Shekhawat
Image Credits: Renderings and Visulasation - Vishwaksen Shekhawat
Project Team Members: Chandradhar Singh
Akshay Khandelwal
Vishwaksen Shekhawat
Sumit Singh
Suresh Sethi
Project Name: ACE XL
Project Client: Vishwaksen Shekhawat