PartyLite Contempo Stand Candle Holder
A beautiful, stamped metal candle stand with weather resistant finish that gives the garden patio a modern glow with dark metallics and warm stone colors. These multi-functional pieces allow for versatility on the patio or deck for a calming and soothing atmosphere.
MY ROLE: User Research, Product / Industrial Designer
TEAM: Marketing Director, Design Manager, myself.
TIMELINE: 18 weeks
EMPATHIZE
COMPANY PRODUCT HISTORY - To better understand past product offerings, I analyzed and compared the various functions, shapes, colors and pattern designs of the previous four years lanterns and hurricanes.
COMPETITIVE MARKET RESEARCH / JOURNEY MAPPING - In order to differentiate from competitive market product, i analyzed the successes and pain points of competitive outdoor patio products (tiki torches, fire pits, etc).
PERSONA + INSIGHTS - Creating a persona helps me build empathy and visualize the user’s environment and what they need/want.
The insights I gleaned from all three areas helped to build empathy and guide direction for the design.
DEFINE THE PROBLEM
Vision boards inspire the team and help create the visual space, textures, materials, and colors used in the outdoor theme.
In the WGSN trends, I observed very natural colors, textures, and materials. Linear / geometric patterns were often used in furniture and accessories. I explored various size and pattern shapes on the various candleholder components.
Concrete was a big trend but the high cost of shipping this material prohibits PartyLite from using in products. I was ecstatic to find this textured metal and stone colored paint on a metal surface to mimic the concrete aesthetic.
How might we enhance the the outdoor space with a simple yet multi-functional candleholder / stand?
IDEATE
Keeping the key attributes in mind, I sketched out many geometric patterns while figuring out the structure and how each piece stacked.
PROTOTYPE
Prototyping is key to validate functionality. During this concept development, I printed 100% scale paper models to figure out how each piece (hurricane sleeve, glass hurricane, removable tray, and hollow base) would stack together. I scoured the office for 3D samples to mock up when possible.
TEST
The factory makes handmade samples for our team to test and review size, shape, colors, and materials. I meticulously evaluate each piece against my original technical specification - each piece is the size and color I specified and that the fit and if the finish needs to be adjusted. I then create this visual critique to communicate to the factory how to improve next samples.
Clear and visual documentation is key to a smooth development process while working with our engineers and factory partners.
OUTCOME
Final product and marketing assets for our printed catalog and e-commerce site created a lot of buzz with our consultants and online social media.
The Contempo Stand, Hurricane, and Votive Holder Pair quickly sold out, earned over $600K over the last 2 summer catalogs. Consultants and customers were thrilled with the stand’s versatility - mix and match functionality.