INTERVIEW WITH DAVID SCHÄUBLIN, INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER

THOUGHTFUL DESIGN FOR A TIDY KITCHEN

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING AT KUHN RIKON AND WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
I have been working as a product designer in Kuhn Rikon’s in-house product design department for over three years now. In this cooking-oriented working environment, I deal with a wide range of tasks, from the design of basic cooking utensils, such as paddles, to more complex products such as multifunction kitchen scissors or stackable cookware. Aesthetics, presentation, functionality, semiotics and choice of materials all constitute key focal points in product design. The sheer diversity in cookware and kitchen gadgets, combined with my passion for cooking and the quality of the working environment bring me great joy on a daily basis, and are an important source of motivation and inspiration.

HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT EXPANDING THE SMART & COMPACT LINE, AND WHAT HURDLES DID YOU HAVE TO OVERCOME?
We drew inspiration not only from our own experience and needs, but also from customer feedback after the initial launch of the Smart & Compact line. And of course we also looked at the entire Kuhn Rikon range. What is missing, what would complement the existing range, how to create a coherent product line taking into account the corporate product design and what fits into the Smart & Compact collection in terms of storage, cooking, serving and keeping (store-cook-serve-keep).

There were some hurdles, especially regarding the versatility of splatter guards, which had to fit the large range of frying pan diameters and at the same time work as a whole stack. Furthermore, we must always consider semiotics, so users can understand a product and anticipate dangers such as fat splashes, steam and heat! At the end of the process, we designers can confidently stand by the finished product!

WHAT OTHER DEPARTMENTS DO YOU WORK WITH WHEN DEVELOPPING A NEW PRODUCT?
We work in close collaboration with the very agile in-house engineering team as well as the product management team.

In the final phase of product development, we start working, among others, with the quality management team as they test the product in both lab and kitchen to confirm its quality level. The communication department then finalises the packaging, product photography and market presentation for the product.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE KUHN RIKON PRODUCT IN TERMS OF DESIGN?
Without a doubt the COLORI® UTENSIL CADDY AND KNIFE BLOCK that I use every day in my small kitchen. It allows me to use a wide variety of kitchen utensils to prepare quick and healthy meals for the whole family. It’s so seamless and practical, you almost forget about it!

PS: And the SMART & COMPACT CORK TRIVET SET is a great gift to bring along whenever I’m invited to dinner.

WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL TIP TO GET MORE STORAGE SPACE OR TIDY UP THE KITCHEN?
Haha, of course my kitchen is full of utensils, pans and tools that change all the time. So I wouldn’t say I’m an expert in tidiness and organisation ;).

But I do have a very simple tip: always question how and where utensils are located and stored in your kitchen. They should always be within arm’s reach so they can be used immediately in the hustle and bustle of cooking, otherwise unnecessary energy and time is wasted. Moreover, they can get forgotten and take up unnecessary space. To make sure I keep the same utensils for a long time, my priority is to make sustainable choices. I truly believe less is more, and I tend to favour appealing and fun-to-use tools.