nicolas saeger313.574.4227 nicsaeger@gmail.com

Pressure Washer

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Pressure Washer

Pressure Washer

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Pressure Washer

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LP5500

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The engineering team designed the original LPgenerator. No attention was given to the end user,and no VBL was considered. As a result, the unit was difficult to start and understand on the retail floor. Since generators are primarily used infrequently and sometimes in very stressful situations, I pressed my team to devise a better solution to start the new LP5500 unit.

This unit is primarily marketed to homeowners, so I wanted my team take a look at how the fuel cylinder could be loaded more easily, and how maintenance could be performed using limited tools or knowledge of small engines.

With all of that in mind, the LP type generator is inherently at a higher price point than commonlyused gasoline generators. My team was tasked to bring cost down to be more competitive with retailers.

LP5500

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Read the instructions

Turn on the on/off switch

Turn on the choke

Pull the recoil (priming the engine)

Hold the prime button for 2 seconds

Pull the recoil to start engine

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The original LP generator required the user to move around the unit to start it.It required the user to use a choke that was hidden underneath the front of the unitin a dark area… the choke was also in black.

All of these steps resulted in frustrated users, triggering calls to our call center, and resulted in longer hold times for customers during peak storm times.

The new LP5500 implemented the new Generac VBL I created with my team.But the new unit was not just about looks; the new LP5500 became more functional.

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LP5500

The new Power Dial now has consolidated controls with instructions in one location.

The dial is now becoming part of the VBL, which will help unify all Generac products.

LP5500

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In addition to the new dial and design we added features that would make the unit easier to use, maintain, and store.

Replacing the large plastic propane tank holder with a rubber strap making it easier for the user to load the tank so they do not have to lift the 38 lb. tank as high as in the previ-ous model. The rubber strap is also a cost reduction.

Packaging Redesign

When I arrived at Generac in 2011, their packaging was fragmented in both messaging and package design.

I directed my team to look at the packaging as a whole, and not just one-off pieces as previously produced. Our products were placed positioned in various parts of a store, so a consistent brand identity was needed to make it easy for the customer to visually identify the Generac brand. I also wanted to incorporate our new DNA “Rugged American Value” into our packaging.

Initially, the executive team was hesitant to take such a large leap. I was able to persuade them that my team could give them a stronger brand presence at retail, and either come in with a cost neutral solution or turn the project into a cost out project.

Packaging Redesign

In the end, the packaging came in at a annual cost savings of $280,000.

The design was also accepted by Lowes, who previously did not allow craft

packaging onto the retail floor.

Packaging Redesign

My team was able to design a new packaging solution that not only came in

under cost, but also made it easier for the customer to identify since the

messaging was consistent across all the products. I also worked with our

copywriters to reduce the copy for a cleaner look.

primary panels

secondary panels

The Electrolux North American launch is the largest in the company’s 70 year history. It is also one of the largest launches for a mass premium appliance line. The complete line was designed by the entire North America design depart-ment which consists of 12 highly productive designers. Each designer is responsible for their own product line. The team worked closely to ensure a consistent brand identity was applied throughout the product line.

Electrolux Specialty Line

A new venture for Electrolux is their specialty line of food preservation appliances. Having a significant profit margin, these new products were designed and engineered at the Anderson Design Center where I was the lead designer for these appliances.

Electrolux Specialty Line

Some interesting features of the wine cooler and beverage center specialty line are industry firsts. These include redesigning controls on these two appliances. My design repositions the controls from floor level to the inside top of the door, thus making it more conve-nient for the consumer to operate.

Freezer

The Electrolux freezer is a venture into upgrading the freezer for the high-end market with flush controls and a stainless steel exterior

SXS

The Electrolux Side by Side Refrigerator is designed with a fully flush ice and water bezel. A dead front glass control provides a premium look.

SXS

Special attention was paid to details on the side-by-side.

From the spill safe all glass shelves to the air/water filter. New features such as the Soft Freeze Bin, and the Perfect Door Bin are new features that were new to the market.

SXS

Launching in the third quarter of 2010 the Counterparts Refrigeration offers several options. This model can be used as a stand alone refrig-erator or paired with the matching freezer to create a large side by side refrigerator. The Counterparts Refrigeration represents a platform change from the current model to a larger capacity unit. I am most proud of the new design features such as the “Perfect Door Bins” and the larger capacity crisper with inner bins. As the sole designer of this product, I was responsible for all of the preliminary CAD models and prototyping. I also worked with vendors to ensure that all standards were achieved for the fit, feel and finish from the original Electrolux launch.

Counterparts

Counterparts

The large door offered me a design opportunity to create additional storage options such as a crisper. I came up with the idea of the “Perfect Door Bins.” The two removal bins allow the user easy access to produce or anything they choose to put into the bins. The bins are also removable for easy loading or cleaning.

Counterparts

With the addition of the “Perfect Door Bins”, I was able to change the large crisper in the cabinet of the unit. I designed the crisper to be large, but not so large that food would be compressed by stacking items. I added two bins that slide along the top rail of the crisper. The bins can also be removed for loading. With the addition of drain holes to the removable bins, produce can be cleaned directly in the door bins.

chest freezer basket

Our team observed how people use their freezer to store numerous items. The redesign of the chest freezer was based on the !ndings that most of the freezers we stud-ied were disorganized. While managing our interns, I challenged them to come up with a new basket design, which would help with organization and also come in at the same cost as our existing basket, which has been in use since the early 90’s.

chest freezer basket

Our design team incorporated a living hinge after creating numerous sketches and mock-ups. The living hinge allows the basket to collapse. This feature proves to be cost effec-tive, saving the company shipping costs. The basket rim design not only strengthens the basket, but also allows for future storage solutions based on the rim design.

chest freezer basket

To help with organization, the basket rim can be molded in different colors to help with organization such as red for raw meats, green for vegetables, orange for kids’ items, etc.

The basket rim is designed with two handles, enabling the consumer to move the basket easily in and out of the freezer. The previous basket did not include this design feature.

previous design

new design

bookend

When researching freezers in customers’ homes, one thing became obvious, the lack of organization. People seem to accept that there is no organized solution for storage in their freezers. When conducting our research, we noticed that more than 50% of the customer’s inventory was prepackaged boxed foods such as dinners, lunches, pizzas and bagged foods. I sought to find a solution that would help the customer organize their frozen food storage.

bookend

I began with very broad concept sketches in the early stage I did not want to rule out any possible design or solution. One consideration was the option of having a clip that could be used to hold up boxes on their sides and also have a hook for hanging a bag. My ideas were presented to other designers, as well as engineers, to narrow down a production method.

bookend

I then created some rough foam core mock-ups. When I was satisfied with how it would work, I created a CAD model and SLA models to use for my presentations to product line managers and the division vice president.

bookend

I developed a solution called the Bookend. This piece keeps boxes vertical, the same way bookends are used to keep books upright. The user can find what they are looking for in the same way they would find a book on a shelf. When the user removes a box, the rest remain standing. The bookend can be moved in seconds. I also developed a bookend that works on glass shelves.

bookend

Due to the lack of storage solutions, frozen food boxes are stacked on top of one another along with bags and other items. Usually the item the user needs is the one in the middle or on the bottom, resulting in the user pulling out the needed package while pushing back the remaining stacked boxes.

SXS

My team also created a bookend that worked with the glass shelves as well.

With the edition of the Soft Freeze Bin and the Bookends, the upright freezer provided the end user with a way to finally organize their freezer in a more efficient way.

bookend

Frigidaire Redesign

The Frigidaire redesign incorporated all of the major appliances and three levels of brand identity. Each level has it’s own visual brand language but maintains a consistent feel across the entire Frigidaire line. My role in this two year project was to co-manage the design, model-build, and communicate the new VBL with engineering, marketing and sales.

Frigidaire Redesign

One of the project requirements was to ensure that identified cost targets were met, this involved working with engineering and manu-facturing teams in five different North American locations. Existing tooling within each of these five facilities was crucial in the imple-mentation for the new parts created by the New Frigidaire VBL.

Frigidaire Redesign

I had the responsibility of being the communication link between engineering & vendors to ensure that parts, regardless of material, reflected the design intent. Since different vendors are used accord-ing to factory needs, I coordinated with these vendor partners both overseas and domestic to have prototype and production parts created.

Frigidaire Redesign

Design validation was achieved when the models were taken to research and tested with consumers.

Frigidaire Redesign

The important design elements to the Frigidaire Gallery VBL are both the chamfers and trim, however what separates this from Frigidaire Professional is the high contrast used within the Gallery products. I played a key role in the development of these design aspects which brings together the different products within this sub-brand line up.

Frigidaire Redesign

Our team felt the high contrast elements were an important aspectto carry through the entire line up of appliances within this FrigidaireGallery line.

Frigidaire Redesign

This Design was well received when both my manager and I presented to the Vice Presidents and the CEO of Electrolux Major Appliances.

nicolas saeger313.574.4227 nicsaeger@gmail.com

thank you