Cabot’s EasyDeck

For this project Cobalt followed a tailored and collaborative development process which broke-up the project into clear stages.

Our initial stage was a deep dive into Cabot’s extensive consumer research. From this we evolved product-focussed journey maps and tangible user needs. We also studied and benchmarked existing products and precedents. This included product teardowns of indoor-based spray mops, and rough mockups to evaluate early principles and concept directions.

In the next stage we developed 5 distinct concepts which explored different liquid-delivery methods applied to the key physical/usability elements (Applicator, Vessel, Handle, User Action).

From this a specific configuration was shortlisted and developed to consider DfM (design for manufacture) and usability (ergonomics, cleaning, maintenance etc), before moving through several iterative design-engineering and prototyping rounds.

Early in the project the development team realised the need for a new water-based decking-oil formulation. As well as being effective with just a single coat, the formula would need to be less viscous and have unique drying characteristics compared to existing oils.

Functionality also drove another innovation. Lambswool applicator pads used for traditional deck maintenance soak-up formulation from an external bucket or tray. The EasyDeck’s internal liquid-delivery method required a semi-porous applicator pad, giving us the opportunity to develop a more technical, easycare microfibre pad.

The project’s growing scope expanded the project team over its 26 month development timeframe. With the core project team eventually including Dulux’s R&D chemists; procurement team, as well as their logistics team and external suppliers for a whole new bottle and filling line.

Finally on process, we note the irony that a complex, major multi-stage, and multi-team development programme was needed to bring to life a simple-to-use household product.

Through a combination of user-centred insights, clever design and collaborative development, the Cabot’s EasyDeck comprehensively responds to the design brief, and addresses the criteria of design excellence. In so doing it has created a globally unique product, no mean feat given the maturity of this product category.

FUNCTION:
EasyDeck is easy to setup from new. Its 1.5L bottle sufficient for most decks. A valve allows the bottle to be inverted. Users intuitively pump formula as needed while they ‘mop’. The method provides mess free application, right up to walls etc. Freshly oiled decks are trafficable <40mins. Cleaning is waterbased; special levers allow this to be done even within the confines of a laundry trough.

ACCESSIBILITY:
The ethos of this product is broad accessibility, its not just for keen DIYers. Therefore universal design principles have considered the widest range of users, abilities and ages from young-adults up. The pump is calibrated for light squeezes from the handle’s trigger. Its length tuned suits 1 to 97-percentile of adult heights. Its configuration designed to package/ship efficiently.

AESTHETICS:
Although conceptually based on an indoor spraymop, the EasyDeck was deliberately designed to be/convey the robustness expected of an exterior tool. Although not powered, its visual-language referenced “approachable power tool” to align to our previous Cabot’s accessory products. Importantly as a brand-new product, its aesthetics had to position the brand and communicate to new users of this new subcategory.

QUALITY, SAFETY & SUSTAINABILITY:
It was essential Cabot’s strong reputation for trustable reliability was maintained. Accordingly materials’/quality robustness went beyond spray-mops, referencing rechargeable stick vacuums and other outdoor products. The reservoir bottle has a childproof lid. DeckClean is designed for longterm reuse/ownership. Most polypropylene parts easily disassemble for end-of-life recycling. Bottles are moulded in carbonblack-free LDPE.

The product brief called for a device that made maintaining a beautiful deck as easy as vacuuming or mopping interior flooring.

Spray-mops became an early front-runner as a usage ‘benchmark’ and technology donor. However, this was never assumed as decking is significantly more course, varied and porous than polished timber or other interior flooring. And decking-oil is more complex and viscous than soapy-water.

Beyond the whole system being a world-first (i.e. comprehensive searches found NO similar deck maintenance applicator in any country/market), the unique challenges of this application encouraged several innovations to be solved. These include:

COMPACT PACKAGE SIZE FOR SHIPPING/POS:
This required a separate handle/post; easy for a non-technical consumer to assemble without tools, but robust so as to not have any play at the joint. This required extra development given internal linkages connect the trigger at one end, to the pump at the other.

ROBUST OUTDOOR USE:
Early testing showed some users exerting more force than actually needed as they ’mopped’. We engineered every component/assembly to be stronger and tighter than any comparable spray-mop, and designed the handle angle to encourage a ‘comfort-level’ action.

LIQUID-HANDLING:
Spray mops simply spray cleaning solution directly out and forward of the device; the microfibre pad being completely separate. EasyDeck’s liquid-path is more complex, pumped oil needing to run internally through the Applicator head’s pivot and eventually through the Applicator pad. Which was also specially developed to allow liquid to filter through and onto the deck.

OIL FORMULATION CHARACTERISTICS:
Traditional decking oils forms a skin as they dry. Within real world scenarios this would clog the device’s pump and liquid pathways. Accordingly, Dulux’s R&D chemists developed a special formulation that suited the pump delivery method, while being faster drying and producing the same finish quality as Cabot’s traditional AquaDeck range.

We believe design should be agnostically democratic; in that design excellence should be celebrated more so when applied to practical, affordable innovative products within otherwise mature market categories.

For example, some people may diminish the impact of this product relative to truly life-saving devices such as a heart pump. Which would be a shame as well designed ‘everyday objects’ impact more lives, more often.

For any cleaning or maintenance product, design can transform the ‘effort vs reward’ quotient. That is, we know the human nature to avoid certain tasks is exponentially compounded by a difficult process or hard-to-use tools. Yet, our sense of contentment, pride and accomplishment is rewarded when these tasks are done. Design’s role in a product like EasyDeck is to remove/reduce all the impediments which would otherwise make the process a chore (i.e. “effort” reduction through clever design vs the enhanced “reward” of a beautiful, freshly-oiled deck).

Traditional decking tools/formulas are sold in paint departments; EasyDecks are in the cleaning aisle. Commercially, the EasyDeck is poised to grow a strategic new market segment for Cabot’s. Until now Cabot’s customers are predominantly keen DIYers, who plan and put effort into maintaining their deck - annually at best or as-needed. EasyDeck will allow anyone to easily maintain their deck several times a year, or refreshed just before special occasions.

From an environmental viewpoint, the product’s robust design and material specification minimise impact through increasing longevity and recyclability. More significantly, a well-oiled deck reduces timber’s natural UV/weather degradation, extending its life whilst enhancing its appearance. EasyDeck reduces the frequency of prepping , reducing usage of both these chemicals, and decking-oil (by only dispensing liquid as needed).

Lastly, this project enhances Victoria’s innovation reputation, by fittingly juxtaposing Australia’s outdoor lifestyle with a proactive market leader (Cabot’s) and world class design expertise (Cobalt).