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A creative business idea that tackles the common issue of messy shared kitchens through playful, thought-provoking tools: fake dirty dishes.

Role

Concept Designer

Year

2024

Tools

Figma, actual plates, dry food, resin

Deliverable(s)

Product Prototypes, E-commerce Mockup

problem

Messy kitchens are everywhere.

Many shared households struggle with messy kitchens, as people have varying standards for what counts as "messy." Personal habits, life priorities, and where someone chooses to focus their energy all play a role. Those who grew up with others cleaning up after them may develop a more careless attitude toward tidiness. Others might lack the know-how or be dealing with challenges like depression, which can dampen their motivation to clean. For those of us who value a clean and organized kitchen, this can be really frustrating, and I’m sure others feel the same. It’s tough when you go from gently nudging roommates to clean up to just doing it yourself. So, what can you do?

solution

Unique teaching tools for respect in shared spaces.

These products are designed to help users encourage their flatmate(s) to practice mutual respect in a fun, lighthearted way that strengthens rather than strains their relationship. I focus on fostering understanding in someone who may not fully grasp the importance of maintaining a shared space. By promoting empathy, my approach gently guides a flatmate to become more aware of their impact on communal areas, encouraging thoughtful habits and a greater sense of responsibility. Ultimately, my goal is to create a harmonious living environment where everyone values and contributes to the upkeep of a shared space, all while keeping the mood positive and collaborative.

process

Design thinking to cause problems instead.

Driven by a desire to create something original, I initially set out to use my design thinking skills not to solve a problem, but to playfully create one. Instead of focusing on solutions, I explored how I could channel my frustrations—specifically about a messy shared workspace—into something that might, in turn, annoy others. However, as I dug deeper, I realized I was actually crafting a problem to address another problem. My true motivation wasn’t just to cause chaos, but to get back at those who left messes, hoping to make them step into my shoes and understand the frustration I felt from living with untidy flatmates. This shift in perspective revealed that my goal was less about disruption and more about fostering empathy through shared experiences.