COMMERCIAL PRODUCT DESIGN
Role — Product Designer
Methods — Market research, Journey mapping, Contextual enquiry, Functional testing, Usability testing
Duration — 3 months
DEFINING DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
Full time cleaning company staff
Contextual constraints:
Minimise physical effort – Frequent use requires low-force interactions and comfortable working postures.
Simple maintenance – Routine cleaning and servicing tasks must be quick and accessible.
Reliable operation – The machine must withstand intensive daily use with minimal disruption.
Contract cleaner
Contextual constraints:
Minimise physical effort – Frequent transportation between sites increases physical fatigue.
Recognisable interactions – Controls and mechanisms should be easy to understand without extensive training.
Fast maintenance – Cleaning and servicing tasks must be quick and straightforward.
Facilities or Maintenance team
Contextual constraints:
Low machine familiarity – Operating modes and machine status must be immediately understandable.
Confidence through clarity – Interactions should provide clear visual and physical feedback.
Resistant to misuse – Components must be durable enough to withstand occasional incorrect operation.
Three primary user groups were analysed to define usability requirements and inform key design decisions throughout development.
A workflow analysis was conducted to understand how operators interact with the machine during cleaning, transport, and maintenance activities.
Low-force deployment and lifting
Reduced the physical effort required to deploy and retract the squeegee during daily operation.
Clear differentiation between operating modes
Distinct interaction states helped operators confidently transition between cleaning, transport, and parked modes.
Durable components for infrequent users
Robust materials and intuitive interactions ensured reliable operation, even with limited user experience.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Durable impact-resistant construction
Polypropylene and Acetal components provide a durable, lightweight solution capable of withstanding demanding commercial environments.
TOOL-FREE MAINTENANCE
Frequently serviced components can be removed without tools, reducing maintenance time and machine downtime.
Foot-operated deployment
Reduces effort and avoids contact with dirty components during daily tasks.
POSITIVE LOCKING
Audible and tactile feedback confirms secure engagement.
FINAL SOLUTION
USER IMPACT
Reduced physical effort through foot-operated deployment and lifting
Faster routine maintenance with tool-free access to serviceable components
Clear operating states increased confidence during daily use
Durable construction supported reliable operation in demanding commercial environments
PRODUCT IMPACT
Balanced usability, durability, and manufacturability within a production-ready design
Modular construction simplified assembly and component replacement
Successfully translated user requirements into a commercially manufacturable mechanism
Contributed to the development of the production 220NX scrubber dryer
BUSINESS IMPACT
Delivered a production-ready solution for a commercially launched product
Contributed to Numatic's expanding NX300 cordless platform
Helped support Numatic's focus on professional cleaning productivity, improved cleaning performance, and reduced labour costs
The 220NX is marketed internationally and is available across multiple countries, demonstrating successful commercial deployment beyond the UK
EVALUATION
This project gave me first-hand experience of taking a product from concept through to commercial delivery. It reinforced the importance of understanding different users and operating contexts, and applying user-centred design principles to create meaningful solutions.
Collaborating closely with engineering teams taught me how to balance usability with manufacturing and production constraints, while ensuring the final design remained commercially viable.
Overall, it strengthened my understanding of how successful products are delivered through cross-functional collaboration and informed design decision-making.
Contact
Interested in working together?
I'm always happy to chat about research-led product design, UX opportunities, or simply exchange ideas about building better products. If my work resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you.