Haier turns kitchen appliances into décor objects and wins three iF Design Awards
Haier, the world’s number one brand in large household appliances for 16 years*, leads its aesthetic signature, made of excellence and customization, to the world of small appliances. The iF International Forum Design, one of the most prestigious design excellence honours, awarded the prestigious iF Design Award to three I-Master Series 7 products. This top-quality range is resigned to satisfy the desires, the passions and the preferences of consumers living in modern, welcoming homes: functional showpieces, created with elegant finish and materials, that allow you to unleash your creativity.
A jury of over one hundred experts, from all over the world, selected and awarded the I-Master Series 7 Kettle, Toaster and Blender as “one of a kind” in terms of design and technology. The jury’s won over by the integration of Artificial Intelligence, the possibility to set configurations remotely thanks to the hOn app – the digital platform that drives all the Group’s solutions -, the premium lines, the excellent energy efficiency, and the very high degree of innovation.
The three award-winning references are conceived in the Milan Experience Design Center, led by Federico Ferretti – the creative hub, opened in late 2020 to combine and integrate the concepts of design, connectivity and user experience in the Group’ solutions. The MED is formed by a multidisciplinary and multicultural team of young talents from different Countries, specialised in three synergic disciplines: experience strategy, experience interaction, and product experience. A perfect mix that allows Haier Europe to put the consumers and their wishes at the centre, offering highly personalised experiences.
“The pleasure of cooking at home is a trend that came back in recent years and led to the Series 7 project’s birth in 2022,” comments Federico Ferretti, Head of Design at Milan Experience Design Center. “Hence the idea of ‘Beyond Breakfast’, the concept defined to go beyond the classic meal to accompany people in multiple moments of the day, thanks to versatile products such as Toaster, Kettle and Blender. For the first time, as MED, we have integrated Haier’s distinctive guidelines into the small appliance segment: a strategic shift that has elevated the design and the technology of the range, taking the kitchen experience to a new level.”
The Design team outlined a two-step work approach with strategic collaborations, involving a university institute and the academic world. In the first phase, the technical aspects were the main focuses of the research, with selection and in-depth scouting work to identify the best manufacturers and the most advanced technological solutions in the sector. In the second phase, consumer behaviours were studied with research and interviews to detect worldwide emerging trends of home cooking and to design more versatile and efficient appliances.
People are looking for solutions that are fast, adaptable, and made to guarantee excellent results. The I-Master Series 7 embodies these needs, representing a natural evolution of the previous range, and a boost of high technology and innovation in the world of small appliances.
The awarded products
The I-Master Series 7 Blender kneads, chops and blends with the simple turn of a knob. Thanks to the built-in Artificial Intelligence, it automatically recognises the three jugs and adjusts speed and run time accordingly. A perfect product for making pizza dough at home like an expert, creating soups and spreads, chopping vegetables, and enjoying your favourite smoothies with the handy personal jug. Among the available programmes, listed via an LCD screen that further enhances the user’s experience, we also find Pre Clean for quick cleaning of blades and jugs.
The I-Master Series 7 Toaster offers unprecedented versatility and customisation thanks to its 21 toasting options; the ability to toast the sides of bread in different ways; and the extra-long, extra-wide slot to accommodate everything – from tacos to small slices of bread. But it is the unique design that makes this product a real showpiece: the two glass sides, which can be removed and washed, allow complete visual control to follow the baking process live. The desired roast can be chosen and set remotely with the hOn app, also accessing hundreds of tasty recipes. The LCD screen allows you to choose from pre-set functions and save your favourite ones, while the removable crumb tray and the small bread function complete the facilitated user experience.
There are also 21 automatic programmes on the I-Master 7 Series Kettle, which allows customised temperature management and offers an accuracy of +/- 1° C. The double-walled insulated interior keeps the water hot for up to 12 hours**, reducing energy consumption by up to 80%*** on subsequent cups. The superior design of this reference includes an extra-large opening of 10 cm and a fully removable lid to make cleaning much easier, also thanks to the integrated self-cleaning function. With the hOn app it is possible to select the temperature and programme remotely and access recipes and tips for use and maintenance.
