Specter
In a market dominated by tradition, how do you stand out?
As a product owner, I collaborated with an industry expert to re-imagine the traditional way of serving coffee
Date
February 5, 2025
Background & Problem Statement
A unique collaboration arose when we were contacted by a coffee product services provider run by a well-known Barista who had a very interesting insight...
He saw an alternative way to serve coffee by reducing the countertop footprint, by hiding the technology under the counter to provide the environment with a perpetually clean and clutter-free countertop, whilst maintaining a high-quality coffee solution.
Research & Strategy
Through interviews, research and analysis, we created a strategy based upon a fully-automatic coffee solution from Eversys, that allows remote API triggered operation whilst maintaining the highest-quality coffee output.
We wanted to remove any physical barriers and create a product where design, lifestyle and coffee come together.
Product Design
The minimalistic design of the system is without any superfluous elements and shapes for a stylish look that discreetly fits into any interior design.
I stripped the design down to its essential qualities, all whilst retaining a clutter-free look to the environment.
A tablet with an intuitive user interface
Drip tray with drain
Ease of Maintenance
Integration of Sales Metrics to measure results
Results & Market Response
Launched at HOST Milano 2024, the product was 'the talk of the town'. The expected sales for 2025 is in the region of 200 units, most of which in the Scandinavian market.
Learnings
Whilst the product was well received, it is clear that the height of the tap is an issue. As this is an all-in-one solution for all coffee types, the height has to accommodate 'tall' and 'short' coffee drinks, which can lead to excess splashing when drawing an espresso.
The short-term solution was to add a small adaptor for the espresso products that reduces the height the coffee falls into the cup. Long-term, I would look into an automated height-adjusted solution dependant on the drink choice.
Conclusion
A well-executed product, with the right balance of design and functionality, can create the right emotions to stand out in a traditional market. This can boost credibility and attract customers by disrupting and surprising them in the right way.
More information and videos can be found here: https://specter.coffeebystorm.dk/specter
