Wireless Breast Pump
IDEO X WILLOW|2016
LAUNCHED | 2 VERSIONS | 4 AWARDS
BRIEF: Willow, a San Francisco start-up, wanted to create a wireless breast pump to allow mothers to continue living their lives while pumping for their children. After a successful launch, a second version was developed to replace the plastic storage bags with a sustainable and reusable option.
BRIEF
OUTCOME: This product has been highly successful, launching an initial single-use bag version followed by an updated version with a reusable milk container. With 4 design awards, it has solidified Willow's position as a leader in women’s health and enhanced its reputation for innovative products.
OUTCOME
ROLE: Junior Industrial Designer
TEAM: Elger Oberwelz, Joerg Student, Coe Leta Stafford, Jason Wilkins, Jesse Fourt, Jon Kaplan, Ross Lockwood
ROLE & TEAM
Mobile, discreet, and hands-free, this is the first all-in-one, wearable breast pump in the world. The pump features a simple architecture, which makes the pump easy to use, assemble, and clean. It contains just a few simple controls on the front face and is constructed of basic parts that snap together. Only two parts need to be cleaned, and both are dishwasher-safe. The form mimics a breast to easily fit inside a bra, while the colors, texture, and finish create a modern, considered look similar to a personal electronic accessory. This pump allows women to pump without pressing pause on their busy lives.
Although the initial design used storage plastic bags, soon after launch, a reusable milk container became the most highly requested product by mothers. The container was designed to work with the existing pump with the form almost identical to the original. Mirroring the pump, color accents are introduced to interaction points - the pouring spout cover, the flange lock ring, and the gaskets for nipple alignment. The container was designed to only have a few parts for simple assembly and cleaning. It was designed to be easily removed and refrigerated.
Motherhood doesn’t pause.