Hi there! My name is Jamie and I’m a first year here at Wellesley. I’m considering majoring in Media Arts and Science to fuse together my interests in both art and CS. I’m taking this class because I’ve been interested in product/industrial design for some time now and I’d like to gain a better understanding of the process. As I learn to appreciate good design, I’m also learning to think about how products and users interact. I’m hoping this course will help me investigate that relationship further.
The product I want to explore today is one that I’ve used repeatedly particularly this past summer: my 24 oz. Hydro Flask water bottle. I chose this product because I’ve been using it the most and have come to have strong (yet mixed) feelings about it.
I’ll start with the aspects of the Hydro Flask that I love: this bottle utilizes TempShield Insulation technology, which basically means that it’s double walled and vacuum insulated to keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot. This technology works amazingly paired with the bottle’s material: pro-grade stainless steel. Another benefit of this double-walled design is that there is no “sweating” or condensation that forms on the outer surface of the bottle. I like that I can rest my bottle anywhere without fearing the moisture will damage or affect contact surfaces. Another design feature I appreciate is the loop cap, which is easy to grip when opening the bottle and also provides a convenient way of holding the bottle.
Moving on to the not so great aspects of this bottle, the cap can be squeaky and noisy when unscrewed. This can be problematic when one is trying to discreetly sneak in a sip during class or a meeting. The shape of the bottle, while sleek and aesthetically pleasing, can also be frustrating. Because it is long and narrow, it can be difficult to clean with a standard sponge. Not exactly ergonomic, it can easily slip out of hands and even more easily dent (RIP white 18 oz. Hydro Flask).
At the end of the day, it’s still a great water bottle that serves it purpose. You can tell that a lot of thought and care went into designing and producing this bottle’s features and technology. One question I have regarding this product (and I’m sure is relevant to products in general) is what are the tradeoffs between an effective double-walled structure and a lightweight bottle?