Market research, industrial design, ergonomics, UX, graphics
Awarded 2005 American Rental Association Best of Year
Amidst the picturesque corn farms of central Iowa lies Paragon, a cherished family-owned company with a rich history dating back 60 years, when it first embarked on its journey of crafting popcorn machines. Despite the passing decades, Paragon remains steadfast in its commitment to excellence, adhering to a simple yet profound goal: to be the best, not the largest.
In its pursuit of this goal, Paragon found itself at a pivotal juncture. The company recognized the need to revitalize its product offerings to stay competitive in the burgeoning rental market. Their existing sno-cone machine, while quite functional, lacked the distinctive flair and modernity required to captivate today's consumers. Moreover, Paragon sought to redefine and rejuvenate its brand image to reflect its ethos of quality and innovation.
The advent of a new sno-cone machine presented an unparalleled opportunity for Paragon to unleash its creativity and embark on a journey of ground-up innovation. Drawing inspiration from the rental market landscape and the common usage scenarios at children's parties, fairs, and public events, my design concepts took on a whimsical and inviting aesthetic. Moreover, paramount importance was incorporated to enhancing safety features for ensuring peace of mind for users and event organizers alike.
With a clear vision and unwavering dedication to excellence, I embarked on this transformative journey, poised to redefine the sno-cone machine landscape and reaffirm Paragons' position as a trailblazer in the industry.
The older sno-cone machine from Paragon was characterized by its typical stamped and extruded metal and glass construction. While functional, this traditional design lacked the innovation and appeal necessary to stand out in today's competitive rental market. Recognizing the need for a fresh approach, I set out to reimagine the sno-cone machine from the ground up, aiming to create a product that not only delivered on functionality but also captivated with a modern design and enhanced user experience.
The culmination of my design overhaul resulted in a sno-cone machine that epitomized innovation, functionality, and visual appeal. The final design incorporated several key features to enhance usability, safety, and aesthetics.
Firstly, the inclusion of wheels and an extra handle facilitated ease of transport and portability, allowing users to effortlessly move the machine to different locations, such as children's parties, fairs, and public events. This added convenience significantly improved the user experience and expanded the machine's versatility.
Additionally, a tinted polycarbonate window was integrated into the design to provide insulation, ensuring that the shaved ice remained cool and refreshing for longer periods. Not only did this enhance the quality of the product, but it also contributed to a visually striking appearance that captivated customers.
Safety was also a paramount consideration, leading to the incorporation of a locking chute handle. This feature provided added security during operation, minimizing the risk of accidents and ensuring peace of mind for users and event organizers alike. The 3 blades for shaving ice, located at the bottom of the chute are extremely sharp.
Perhaps most notably, to optimize manufacturing efficiency and cost-effectiveness, I advocated for a shift to rotational molded plastic for the body of the machine. This decision not only lowered capital investment but also resulted in a more aesthetically pleasing product with a friendly and inviting appearance. Furthermore, the switch to plastic reduced the weight of the machine by 6 lbs, further enhancing its safety, portability and ease of use.
Despite these advancements, the new product seamlessly integrates all existing mechanical components and sub-assemblies, ensuring familiarity, compatibility and reliability. This comprehensive approach transformed the sno-cone machine into a complete turnkey manufactured product that exceeded expectations in terms of performance, aesthetics, and user experience.
Just 8 months after the inception of the project, the eagerly anticipated "Cooler" was launched in 2005, marking a significant milestone for Paragon.
The unveiling of the Cooler garnered widespread acclaim, with the product being honored as the New Product of the Year by the esteemed American Rental Association. This prestigious recognition underscores the innovative nature of the Cooler and validated Paragon's commitment to excellence in product development.
Furthermore, the Cooler's success extended beyond accolades, as it also secured an impressive array of 7 design and utility patents. These patents serve as a testament to the unique features and functionalities incorporated into the Cooler, further solidifying its status as a groundbreaking product in the rental market.
With its blend of cutting-edge design, superior functionality, and industry recognition, the Cooler set a new standard of excellence in the rental market and further establishes Paragon as the leader in the industry.
"I hired Kevin to consult and design a new concept for commercial sno-cone makers. For many years the industry accepted the tempered glass box design as the standard. With Kevin and his inherent grasp of design function, creative lines and roto-mold technology, he created a concept called the Paragon Cooler commercial sno-cone maker that ended up winning the 2005 American Rental Association's product of the year. The design changed the face of the commercial sno-cone market, especially the rental market. He successfully researched the market needs and incorporated a locking handle, wheels for easy transport and a foremost design that appealed to the market. I would recommend Kevin's talent and ability to anyone who is looking for design talent that expands the creative spectrum from soup to nuts...research-concepts-full implementation."
Vice President of Marketing, Paragon International
Consumer Testimonials:
"Everything I needed!
3 weeks in and I love my new snow cone machine. It's excellent and easy to use. My last snow cone machine was the aluminum old school ones that melt the ice fast in the sun. This one preserves the ice much better for me here in South Florida . I'm also happy about the cone holder that attaches to the machine, that's very convenient and helpful. I put 8 ounce styrofoam cups in the cup holder instead of those cheap paper cones, It's less messy for the kids. This machine is the way to go!"
Reviewed on Home Depot
"This is the cutest lil snow cone machine around. It can handle a large demand and keeps the ice from melting with its tinted panes."
Reviewed on WebstaurantStore