Does technology make a space easier to use? That should be the core of any technological design decision, according to NKBA Tech Advisor Shelly Palmer, who suggests that improved functionality and ease-of-use should drive every choice when incorporating technology into a kitchen or bath space.
In a new series of consumer insight videos, Palmer says that successfully integrating technology into a product’s design reduces user hurdles – or “friction” – so that homeowners can more readily “delight in its use and/or functionality.”
The technology and business consultant notes that successful kitchens and baths are known for their beautiful designs and efficiency. The best kitchens and baths are designed with form following function, with both artful and useful design elements coming into play. So where does technology fit in? As a designer, Palmer argues that you should be incorporating technological elements to your designs only if they reduce friction in the space. That is, only if they service well-designed areas with purpose-built amenities to make life easier for the user.
According to Palmer, if you keep it simple, it will be super successful.
