July
Personalized Air Conditioner
The Client's Challenge
To disrupt the traditional HVAC industry and a product category that has been relatively unchanged for 90 years, redesigning a home staple to consider aesthetics, carbon emissions, and personalization.
The Strategic Approach
Constraints enable creativity. Assessing the market, we saw an opportunity to address a major pain point in the experience of getting a new AC unit and to create a design that feels more integrated in the home.
In order to address the challenge, our goal was to get to a full size prototype as fast as possible. We mocked up the experience and, evaluated existing products. We built a wall with a window, trialled existing models, and identified the experience pain points so we could create a product that's meaningfully different from anything else on the market.
The Creative Solution
Installation is typically a two-person job with standard AC units. Box Clever created a patented way for the frame to be adaptable to different window sizes, to enable an intuitive, one-person experience. The July frame design adjusts to different window widths, acts as a guide, and provides an audible ‘click’ when the unit slides fully into place. With the unit secure, the faceplate design magnetically attaches, hides the mechanical complexity, and can match your home decor. The design for July is clean, modern, and discrete.
The Business Impact
July's inaugural Air Conditioner launched April 2020 and sold out of its entire first run of inventory. The company is currently taking pre-orders and ramping up for Spring and Summer 2021.
Design Awards
