Bridging Tradition and Technology : Merging Legacy Controls with Modern Expectation

Bridging Tradition and Technology : Merging Legacy Controls with Modern Expectation

Whirlpool Corporation is a globally recognized leader in home appliances, trusted by millions across more than 170 countries. With annual sales of $19 billion in 2023 and a network of 55 manufacturing and research centers, Whirlpool consistently delivers innovative solutions that enhance everyday life. Its brands, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Maytag, have set industry standards for over a century. Named one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies for 14 consecutive years, Whirlpool balances innovation and accessibility by designing for both premium and mass-premium ranges. The mass-premium segment, in particular, enables Whirlpool to provide high-performance, stylish appliances at an attainable price point, meeting the needs of a broad consumer base while maintaining its reputation for quality. This project focused on designing for their premium and mass-premium microwave ranges, upholding the brand’s legacy of innovation while addressing unique design challenges.

These models featured a 2.4-inch non-touch LCD screen with printed, backlit buttons, requiring us to balance functionality with the brand’s high-end design standards.

Design Process: From Research to Prototyping

Our process began, as always, by understanding the scope and software specifications. This set the foundation for our cross-platform sprint planning, where we defined the core features and set realistic timelines. We then moved into breaking down the user flows, looking at references from previous appliances with similar features, and ensuring we were aligned with the broader goals for the product range.

One of our key considerations was to preserve the legacy features that customers had come to expect, while aligning with the touch-based models from Whirlpool’s premium product line. These touch screens ranged from 3.5 inches to 7.8 inches, and we used these models as references to maintain consistency across the brand's offerings.

As we moved forward, we focused on creating wireframes, detailing edge cases, and applying the UI skin. Using Figma, we developed low-fidelity prototypes that allowed us to facilitate communication and test out various features. This stage was heavily collaborative, with ongoing feedback and adjustments from developers, engineers, marketing, and the food science team.

When it came time for handover, we ensured a thorough process, complete with UX documentation detailing specifications, behavior, motion, sound, and any other necessary details. We also worked to ensure the design files were clear and easily readable, preparing for post-handover support to address any future needs.

Overcoming Constraints: Designing for a Small, Non-Touch Display

Like any design project, this one came with its set of challenges. The small, non-touch screen posed significant limitations, both in terms of hardware and software, and we had to ensure that the new design remained consistent with other high-end models. To tackle this, we chose to begin with the most complex feature—the manual setting of date and time. By iterating on this feature and conducting quick user studies, we arrived at a solution that worked best. This process gave us valuable insights, which we then applied to other features.

Ensuring Brand Consistency Across Product Lines

Maintaining design consistency across multiple models was another challenge we tackled through regular alignment calls with stakeholders. These discussions were essential to ensuring our design stayed on track and aligned with the overall brand vision.

In the end, this project underscored the importance of balancing user-centric design with brand consistency. Working with a non-touch LCD screen required us to be especially thoughtful about each interaction, but the result was a design that seamlessly fit into Whirlpool’s high-end microwave range while still delivering a superior user experience.