SAMSUNG Showcase Refrigerator

When designing the Samsung Showcase refrigerator, we meticulously studied how people use their refrigerator in daily lives. Upon observation, the designers came to conclusion that the key attributes for the new model should be 'allocation of space' and 'family'. The Samsung Showcase started from the designers thinking about how they could help all family members use the refrigerator more efficiently, while making the design aesthetically pleasing.

The essential function of the refrigerator is the 'storage' of fresh food and drinks, but just as important is the 'usability'. Assuming that the ingredients and fresh food are well refrigerated, users also need to be able to easily find the fresh ingredients or already cooked foods. Additionally, while housewives were the primary users of refrigerators in the past, the product has now become the most frequently used household appliance among all family members. Consumers had a need for a friendlier refrigerator in which everyone could find what they needed even when a parent was not around. In other words, 'usability' has become a major element of the refrigerator when serving the needs of the entire family.

The refrigerator space was divided into two parts according to what kind of environment was needed. Items that needed to be kept deep 'inside' for maximum refrigeration are placed in the INNERcase, and those that needed to be 'visible' are placed in the SHOWcase. There are two doors – one to access the SHOWcase, and the other to open the INNERcase. Even with two doors the Samsung Showcase was built strong enough to prevent any loss in insulation, while keeping them light and slim enough so all users can easily open and close both doors. In addition, while there are two separate handles for the INNERcase and SHOWcase, they are both placed at the level where other refrigerator models place their handles, so that users may instinctively know where to find them.

Other double-door refrigerator models are filled with multiple shelves that make the most of the interior space, but the very top and bottom layers were either too high or too low, creating unused spaces. We re-designed these shelves considering the age, height, and needs of the family members, thereby maximizing space efficiency while meeting everyone's needs. The top section is designed for moms and dads who are the tallest, the middle section is for everyone, providing space for beverages, and the bottom section is for the kids, allowing them to easily reach whatever snack they need without their parent's help.

To make the shelves look fresh and shiny, the surface was designed to be semitransparent and hazy. The idea was that when a line is drawn across the hazy glass, that spot would instantly idea. This motif was used to add food images that represented the space's intended use on the face of the showcase drawers, helping users easily find what they need.

Large metal frame was used to create liners that would be used to form the straight square lines on the outer rim of the showcase. When you look at the product from the front, the metal frame gives the illusion of a showcase. The inner rims of the acrylic shelves used for the showcase are curved. A chrome effect was added to make the material look like it is as thick crystal. Furthermore, the bottoms are made to reflect patterns, making the material look even more like crystal glass.

The exterior focuses on simple and essential design. The sleek surface was kept minimal to get rid of any additional details to accentuate the flush material. A metallic touch was applied only to the handles so that the product easily integrates into any kitchen interior.

Moving away from using tempered glass on refrigerators, we went one step further to use combined metal designs. Combined metal designs use different materials and patterns for the refrigerator and freezer sections, which is commonly used on cafeteria interior walls. We built many mock-ups and tested the combination of various patterns and colors to create bold, sophisticated patterns and colors that suit any kind of kitchen interior.

This family-friendly refrigerator was built through innovation, denying all stereotypes concerning a refrigerator's 'space.' The Samsung Showcase refrigerator has taken a step further, suggesting a more convenient and enjoyable new lifestyle.