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Flip | Spatula

The Brief

A Design Studio's Approach to the Cast Iron Pan Flip

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Services

Rapid product development
Product Strategy
Prototyping
Product visualisation

Year

2019 – 2020

Introducing

Re-inventing the mundane

Are you tired of struggling to flip a heavy cast iron pan with your omelet? You are not alone. This simple yet pervasive issue has plagued home cooks worldwide.  By conducting design studies, Analogy has come up with an innovative solution to unique problems that others might overlook.

Redesigning the Spatula: Balancing Form and Functionality for Flipping

During our research into how people use spatulas, we came to the realization that the design of spatulas has never been suitable for flipping. Spatulas are primarily designed for mixing, stirring, and supporting food, and their small surface area allows them to navigate a range of pans for spreading and mixing. Additionally, spatulas cannot be too wide, as they would not be useful for small pans typically used for cooking portions. As a result, flipping eggs or crepes has never been the primary function of a spatula, and its surface area is intentionally small. However, we recognized the need to maintain the integrity of the existing object while also creating a unique solution that preserves its personality.

Green spatula with a silver handle on a white background

01 Stirring

Blue spatula on a white backgroud

02 Mixing

Black spatula with a silver handle on a white background

03 Flipping

GIF of person flipping an egg
The Approach

Our Approach

Have you ever wondered why flipping an omelet in a cast iron pan is so difficult? It’s a problem that many of us have experienced, but few have tried to solve. This is where a design studio’s unique approach comes in. By conducting design studies, they strive to address seemingly simple yet impactful problems like this one. Find out how they tackle the challenge of the cast iron pan flip.

Ideation

Creative Solutions through Paper Mockups

Our solution to the problem was to maintain the spatula’s surface area while enhancing its functionality and introducing an additional dimension. Through the creation of paper mockups, we were able to determine the appropriate proportions and scale, as well as design the hinge mechanism and flip guide wires.

Sketches of various types of spatula designs
3d render of a white spatula on some sketches

Industrial Design

Surfacing the Product

After designing and creating paper mockups of the new spatula, we began the process of surfacing the product. This involved creating a physical prototype of the spatula to evaluate its design and functionality. The physical prototype allowed us to make necessary adjustments and refinements to the design, ensuring that it met our standards for both form and function.

Industrial Design Validation

Testing and Validating the Concept

Once we had a physical prototype of the new spatula, we moved on to testing and validating the concept. We conducted extensive testing to ensure that the spatula performed as intended, particularly with regards to its flipping capabilities.

We also gathered feedback from a variety of users to gain insights into how the spatula could be further improved. This iterative process allowed us to refine the concept and create a product that met the needs of its users.

Paper mockups of different spatulas
A spatulas flipping an egg on a gas stove
Industrial Design Validation

Real World Use Cases

After successfully designing, creating, and testing the new spatula, we were eager to see it in action in real-world use cases. We conducted field trials with a range of home cooks to evaluate the spatula’s performance in a variety of cooking scenarios.

This resulted in a successful product that has made cooking easier and more enjoyable for many people.

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