GROHE products and services should surprise and delight their users
throughout their long service lives.
People
Good design is about understanding people. It translates a user’s
requirements, desires and expectations into a product or service
that they love to use. At GROHE, all design activity begins with
the question: What do people need?
To answer this, we gather information from a plethora of sources
ranging from consumer focus groups to the utilisation of advanced
observation techniques. This knowledge allows us to ascertain both
the articulated and unarticulated needs of our customers and is the
starting point of a structured design process.
Trend analysis
We invest a substantial amount of time tracking, identifying and
exploring trends. Our in-house design team frequents the most
influential global fairs, exhibitions and events across all fields
of design, interiors and architecture. This research enables our
designers to stay abreast of current lifestyle trends and identify
emerging ones.
Ongoing observation, analysis and exploration of cultural
references and their sources, allow us to predict future trends in
consumer behaviour.
Concept development
From the outset, ‘creative workshops’ allow the design team to
cross-filter ideas – transforming good concepts into great
concepts. Ideas are documented and communicated within the group
through sketches and model making. This platform for collaborative
visualisation and discussion allow ideas to evolve and develop,
before channelling them into the desired direction.
Design critiques are held at key stages throughout the duration of
each project. During a series of collective discussions, strengths
and weaknesses are assessed and potential improvements identified.
This objective process ensure design remains relevant.
Evaluation
Design critiques are held at key stages throughout the duration of
each project. During a series of collective discussions, strengths
and weaknesses are assessed and potential improvements identified.
This objective process ensure design remains relevant.
3D Modeling
Virtual models are created using advanced computer programs and
introduce the working components of a product to the design at an
early stage. These bring an element of realism to the concept,
improve the design quality and reduce product development cycles.
These complex virtual surfaces can then be used to create
high-quality renderings or directly transferred to our in-house
rapid-prototyping facilities, to create tangible models.
Model making
The design concept is best evaluated in the form of a life-size
model. This enables the ergonomics of the design and the quality of
the surfaces to be accurately assessed.
Two types of model are generated. The preliminary ‘soft’ model –
often constructed from dense sculpting foam – is used for fast
evaluation of basic sizes and proportions. At this stage, the
design is reshaped and refined by hand to explore and improve its
tactile quality. The later ‘hard’ model has the appearance and
accuracy of a finished product and is used for a final evaluation
before a working prototype is produced.
Product
The final stage of the process culminates in a product that
functions to perfection and is both aesthetically and ergonomically
pleasing. Delivering the perfect balance of technology, quality and
design.