EPSILON-C is an advanced IoT controller designed for water pressure management in government and municipal water systems. Its goal is to enhance the reliability of water supply networks, ensure efficient operation and improved service for end users.
EPSILON-C is a fully remote-controlled, battery-operated IoT controller that logs data and securely transmits it using cyber-secured technology to a user-friendly cloud platform.
From a design perspective, we faced an interesting challenge: the client sought a sleek, high-end aesthetic to reflect the device’s advanced technology. However, after analyzing its typical environment (which is technical water control rooms), we realized that a delicate, electronic-looking device might feel out of place in such a rugged environment. At worst, we thought this approach could raise concerns about durability, potentially affecting sales. This insight led us to develop a design language that sought to balance contemporary tech design aesthetics with technical industrial aesthetics.
To achieve this balance, we drew inspiration from industrial water valves and pipes in designing the device. We achieved this goal by emphasizing the flange elements, a key feature in water systems, as they facilitate easy sealing. Since the device needed to be water-sealed, particularly to meet the IP68 standard and withstand potential submersion during rainy seasons, this design element was a natural and functional element to incorporate. However rather than having the flanges protrude from the shape, we chose to integrate them by subtracting them from the form of the product, allowing the sealing elements to become a sort of texture of the product.
Additionally, while drawing inspiration from the aesthetics of water pipes, we chose to design the product with a racetrack profile. This retained the rounded impression of water tubes, maintaining a visual connection to their form while introducing a more distinctive shape. The result was a design that subtly referenced water pipes yet leaned toward a more refined, product-oriented look and feel.
This approach resulted in a design that balances robustness and precision, bridging the aesthetics of technical water systems and contemporary product design.
To learn more about the design of plastic products visit our article “Industrial design of plastic products”.
The first stage of the design involved evaluating possible configurations, including different opening options, the orientation and placement of the electronic components, and their fixation to the plastics.
After settling on the most suitable configuration, we proceeded to the concept stage and searched for different visual languages to incorporate in our design.
At the beginning of the project the client sought a sleek, high-end aesthetic to reflect the device’s advanced technology. However, after analyzing its typical environment (which is technical water control rooms), we realized that a delicate, electronic-looking device might feel out of place in such a rugged environment.
To strike a balance between a sleek hi-tech design language and a rugged, durable aesthetic, we drew inspiration from industrial water valves and pipes in designing the device. We achieved this goal by emphasizing the flange elements, a key feature in water systems, as they facilitate easy sealing. Since the device needed to be water-sealed, particularly to meet the IP68 standard and withstand potential submersion during rainy seasons, this design element was a natural and functional element to incorporate. However rather than having the flanges protrude from the shape, we chose to integrate them by subtracting them from the form of the product, allowing the sealing elements to become a sort of texture of the product.
