Bachelor Graduation Internship
Bachelor Graduation Internship
Bachelor Graduation Internship
Bachelor Graduation Internship
Designing new features for Toon
Designing a new extension for Toon
Designing a new
extension for Toon
Designing a new
extension for Toon
Concept design & development
Concept Design & Development
Concept Design & Development
About the project
My graduation
project at Eneco
My graduation
project at Eneco
Toon is Eneco’s smart thermostat. It's similar to a Google Nest: users can connect a variety of smart home devices, such as smart lightbulbs, to their Toon and gain insight into their household's energy consumption. At the time of this project, Toon had over 350,000 active users in the Netherlands. The goal of this project was to explore possible ways for expanding the services Toon offered to their monthly subscribers. I approached this brief by identifying opportunities for new product offerings and by designing and prototyping these concepts. On this page, you can read a summary of the design & development process.
Toon is Eneco’s smart thermostat. Between a diverse range of tools it also displays the energy consumption of the customer's household. Currently, Toon has more than 350,000 users. My challenge during this project was to expand the services for Toon by analysing, designing and developing new concepts.. Although I cannot display my entire process, nor every concept direction, I can showcase some of the outcomes of the project.
Toon is Eneco’s smart thermostat. Between a diverse range of tools it also displays the energy consumption of the customer's household. Currently, Toon has more than 350,000 users. My challenge during this project was to expand the services for Toon by analysing, designing and developing new concepts.. Although I cannot display my entire process, nor every concept direction, I can showcase some of the outcomes of the project.
Toon is Eneco’s smart thermostat. Between a diverse range of tools it also displays the energy consumption of the customer's household. Currently, Toon has more than 350,000 users. My challenge during this project was to expand the services for Toon by analysing, designing and developing new concepts.. Although I cannot display my entire process, nor every concept direction, I can showcase some of the outcomes of the project.
Duration: May - August (2016)
Company: Eneco
Role: Concept Design & Development
Date: May - August
Company: Eneco
Role: Concept design & Development
Project: Designing a new extension for Toon
Duration: May - August (2016)
Company: Eneco
Role: Concept Design & Development
Project: Designing a new extension for Toon
Project milestones
Project milestones
Project milestones
- Identified multiple strategic concept directions for Toon.
- Designed & developed three different concepts for one of these directions.
- Identified multiple strategic concept directions for Toon.
- Designed & developed three different concepts for one of these directions.
Project timeline
Project timeline
Project timeline
Project timeline
Project timeline
Research
Research
Research
Research
During the first weeks of the project, my main focus was to better understand the challenge that was given to me. As Toon has been on the market for quite a while there were plenty of available information to work with. However, more competitors surfaced and they increased the challenge to develop a concept that would differentiate Toon.
During the first weeks of the project, my main focus was to better understand the challenge that was given to me. As Toon has been on the market for quite a while there were plenty of available information to work with. However, more competitors surfaced and they increased the challenge to develop a concept that would differentiate Toon.
During the first weeks of the project, my main focus was to better understand the challenge that was given to me. As Toon has been on the market for quite a while there were plenty of available information to work with. However, more competitors surfaced and they increased the challenge to develop a concept that would differentiate Toon.
During the first weeks of the project, my main focus was to better understand the challenge that was given to me. As Toon has been on the market for quite a while there were plenty of available information to work with. However, more competitors surfaced and they increased the challenge to develop a concept that would differentiate Toon.
During the first weeks of the project, my main focus was to better understand the challenge that was given to me. As Toon has been on the market for quite a while there were plenty of available information to work with. However, more competitors surfaced and they increased the challenge to develop a concept that would differentiate Toon.
User Research
User Research
Literature Review
Literature Review
In-House knowledge
In-House knowledge
Competitor Analysis
Competitor Analysis
Ideation
Ideation
Ideation
"How can we help users in reducing their energy consumption?"
"How can we help users in reducing their energy consumption?"
"How can we help users in reducing their energy consumption?"
By analysing the data of Toon’s users, I was capable of identifying their biggest interest: reducing the energy expenses of their house. Their underlying intentions were mainly to save money and to live a more sustainable lifestyle. However, a significant user-segment was unable to accomplish their targets due to a lack of knowledge of effective measures to save energy. Another hurdle for them was the doubt on how effective their actions would be. This uncertainty held many users back from taking steps forward. Therefore, this problem had to be approached from two different angles. On one hand, how do we identify what measures a household can take to effectively reduce their energy expenses? And on the other hand, how could Toon enable its users and help them in achieving their goal?
By analysing the data of Toon’s users, I was capable of identifying their biggest interest: reducing the energy expenses of their house. Their underlying intentions were mainly to save money and to live a more sustainable lifestyle. However, a significant user-segment was unable to accomplish their targets due to a lack of knowledge of effective measures to save energy. Another hurdle for them was the doubt on how effective their actions would be. This uncertainty held many users back from taking steps forward. Therefore, this problem had to be approached from two different angles. On one hand, how do we identify what measures a household can take to effectively reduce their energy expenses? And on the other hand, how could Toon enable its users and help them in achieving their goal?
By analysing the data of Toon’s users, I was capable of identifying their biggest interest: reducing the energy expenses of their house. Their underlying intentions were mainly to save money and to live a more sustainable lifestyle. However, a significant user-segment was unable to accomplish their targets due to a lack of knowledge of effective measures to save energy. Another hurdle for them was the doubt on how effective their actions would be. This uncertainty held many users back from taking steps forward. Therefore, this problem had to be approached from two different angles. On one hand, how do we identify what measures a household can take to effectively reduce their energy expenses? And on the other hand, how could Toon enable its users and help them in achieving their goal?
By analysing the data of Toon’s users, I was capable of identifying their biggest interest: reducing the energy expenses of their house. Their underlying intentions were mainly to save money and to live a more sustainable lifestyle. However, a significant user-segment was unable to accomplish their targets due to a lack of knowledge of effective measures to save energy. Another hurdle for them was the doubt on how effective their actions would be. This uncertainty held many users back from taking steps forward. Therefore, this problem had to be approached from two different angles. On one hand, how do we identify what measures a household can take to effectively reduce their energy expenses? And on the other hand, how could Toon enable its users and help them in achieving their goal?
By analysing the data of Toon’s users, I was capable of identifying their biggest interest: reducing the energy expenses of their house. Their underlying intentions were mainly to save money and to live a more sustainable lifestyle. However, a significant user-segment was unable to accomplish their targets due to a lack of knowledge of effective measures to save energy. Another hurdle for them was the doubt on how effective their actions would be. This uncertainty held many users back from taking steps forward. Therefore, this problem had to be approached from two different angles. On one hand, how do we identify what measures a household can take to effectively reduce their energy expenses? And on the other hand, how could Toon enable its users and help them in achieving their goal?
1. Finding answers in data
1. Finding answers in data
1. Finding answers in data
1. Finding answers in data
1. Finding answers in data
By exploring what insights could be obtained from the data that Toon collects for its core functionalities, it became clear that this data could be applied for answering the most essential question to make this concept feasible: 'How can this household effectively reduce the costs of their energy bill?'. This key-finding resulted in the further realization of the concept.
By exploring what insights could be obtained from the data that Toon collects for its core functionalities, it became clear that this data could be applied for answering the most essential question to make this concept feasible: 'How can this household effectively reduce the costs of their energy bill?'. This key-finding resulted in the further realization of the concept.
By exploring what insights could be obtained from the data that Toon collects for its core functionalities, it became clear that this data could be applied for answering the most essential question to make this concept feasible: 'How can this household effectively reduce the costs of their energy bill?'. This key-finding resulted in the further realization of the concept.
By exploring what insights could be obtained from the data that Toon collects for its core functionalities, it became clear that this data could be applied for answering the most essential question to make this concept feasible: 'How can this household effectively reduce the costs of their energy bill?'. This key-finding resulted in the further realization of the concept.
Based on the competitor analysis (such as Nest, by Google) a similar concept would be difficult to implement. As Toon measures a more exhaustive energy-profile of its household than its competitors. Furthermore, as the infrastructure to obtain and utilize the user’s utility-consumption data was already there, the typical time from concept to production could be considerably reduced.
Based on the competitor analysis (such as Nest, by Google) a similar concept would be difficult to implement. As Toon measures a more exhaustive energy-profile of its household than its competitors. Furthermore, as the infrastructure to obtain and utilize the user’s utility-consumption data was already there, the typical time from concept to production could be considerably reduced.
Based on the competitor analysis (such as Nest, by Google) a similar concept would be difficult to implement. As Toon measures a more exhaustive energy-profile of its household than its competitors. Furthermore, as the infrastructure to obtain and utilize the user’s utility-consumption data was already there, the typical time from concept to production could be considerably reduced.
Based on the competitor analysis (such as Nest, by Google) a similar concept would be difficult to implement. As Toon measures a more exhaustive energy-profile of its household than its competitors. Furthermore, as the infrastructure to obtain and utilize the user’s utility-consumption data was already there, the typical time from concept to production could be considerably reduced.
2. Giving users insight
2. Giving users insight
2. Giving users insight
2. Giving users insight
2. Giving users insight
Through my literature study, I learned that it is common for households to struggle with bringing down the costs of their electricity bill due to a lack of knowledge or motivation. In an attempt to overcome this issue, findings from academic research were incorporated into the concepts, for example:
Through my literature study, I learned that it is common for households to struggle with bringing down the costs of their electricity bill due to a lack of knowledge or motivation. In an attempt to overcome this issue, findings from academic research were incorporated into the concepts, for example:
Through my literature study, I learned that it is common for households to struggle with bringing down the costs of their electricity bill due to a lack of knowledge or motivation. In an attempt to overcome this issue, findings from academic research were incorporated into the concepts, for example:
Through my literature study, I learned that it is common for households to struggle with bringing down the costs of their electricity bill due to a lack of knowledge or motivation. In an attempt to overcome this issue, findings from academic research were incorporated into the concepts, for example:
- By demonstrating the effectiveness of the measure as a motivational tool (e.g., by showcasing how much money will be saved over time)
- By reducing the efforts on the user’s part (e.g., by making Toon automatically configure new settings)
- By demonstrating the effectiveness of the measure as a motivational tool (e.g., by showcasing how much money will be saved over time)
- By reducing the efforts on the user’s part (e.g., by making Toon automatically configure new settings)
- By demonstrating the effectiveness of the measure as a motivational tool (e.g., by showcasing how much money will be saved over time)
- By reducing the efforts on the user’s part (e.g., by making Toon automatically configure new settings)
Design
Design
Design
Every household is different, there is no 'one-size-fits-all' solution when it comes to reducing its energy consumption. Therefore, I conceptualised an array of different 'tools' that could help users in identifying what measures would be most effective for them and help them. As Toon already had its own smartphone-app, I designed these ‘tools’ to be add-ons to it.
Every household is different, there is no 'one-size-fits-all' solution when it comes to reducing its energy consumption. Therefore, I conceptualised an array of different 'tools' that could help users in identifying what measures would be most effective for them and help them. As Toon already had its own smartphone-app, I designed these ‘tools’ to be add-ons to it.
Every household is different, there is no 'one-size-fits-all' solution when it comes to reducing its energy consumption. Therefore, I conceptualised an array of different 'tools' that could help users in identifying what measures would be most effective for them and help them. As Toon already had its own smartphone-app, I designed these ‘tools’ to be add-ons to it.
Concept selection
Concept selection
Paper prototyping
Literature Review
Prototyping
Prototyping
Prototyping
To demonstrate the functionality and validity of my concepts, I transformed my home into a prototyping-playground. By installing a Toon and coding the basic features of the tools. Although the implementation was somewhat rough, it allowed for running experiments in a realistic setting, while simulating scenarios to develop the concepts further.
To demonstrate the functionality and validity of my concepts, I transformed my home into a prototyping-playground. By installing a Toon and coding the basic features of the tools. Although the implementation was somewhat rough, it allowed for running experiments in a realistic setting, while simulating scenarios to develop the concepts further.
To demonstrate the functionality and validity of my concepts, I transformed my home into a prototyping-playground. By installing a Toon and coding the basic features of the tools. Although the implementation was somewhat rough, it allowed for running experiments in a realistic setting, while simulating scenarios to develop the concepts further.
To demonstrate the functionality and validity of my concepts, I transformed my home into a prototyping-playground. By installing a Toon and coding the basic features of the tools. Although the implementation was somewhat rough, it allowed for running experiments in a realistic setting, while simulating scenarios to develop the concepts further.
Insulation check-up
Insulation check-up
Insulation check-up
Insulation check-up
This feature gives the user insight into how well their home is insulated and if their heating system is optimally adjusted for their household. This advice is based on a 7-days temperature measurement. Once the seven days are over, the user receives an overview of how well their home has performed during the test. Additionally, the user obtains suggestions on how to improve their results and how much money can be saved by doing so.
This feature gives the user insight into how well their home is insulated and if their heating system is optimally adjusted for their household. This advice is based on a 7-days temperature measurement. Once the seven days are over, the user receives an overview of how well their home has performed during the test. Additionally, the user obtains suggestions on how to improve their results and how much money can be saved by doing so.
This feature gives the user insight into how well their home is insulated and if their heating system is optimally adjusted for their household. This advice is based on a 7-days temperature measurement. Once the seven days are over, the user receives an overview of how well their home has performed during the test. Additionally, the user obtains suggestions on how to improve their results and how much money can be saved by doing so.
This feature gives the user insight into how well their home is insulated and if their heating system is optimally adjusted for their household. This advice is based on a 7-days temperature measurement. Once the seven days are over, the user receives an overview of how well their home has performed during the test. Additionally, the user obtains suggestions on how to improve their results and how much money can be saved by doing so.
Standby Energy Usage
Standby Energy Usage
Standby Energy Usage
The goal of this feature is to reduce the consumption of standby energy in the house. Standby energy usage is electricity that is 'passively wasted' and typically hard to keep track of manually. For an average household, about 75% of this energy can be saved by taking active measures against it. This add-on reports to the user the current level of standby energy usage, and how it compares to their typical situation. Owners can also set their own goals to bring down their consumption level. Furthermore, they are provided with insights on how much money they are currently saving, and how much can possibly be saved given their current situation.
The goal of this feature is to reduce the consumption of standby energy in the house. Standby energy usage is electricity that is 'passively wasted' and typically hard to keep track of manually. For an average household, about 75% of this energy can be saved by taking active measures against it. This add-on reports to the user the current level of standby energy usage, and how it compares to their typical situation. Owners can also set their own goals to bring down their consumption level. Furthermore, they are provided with insights on how much money they are currently saving, and how much can possibly be saved given their current situation.
The goal of this feature is to reduce the consumption of standby energy in the house. Standby energy usage is electricity that is 'passively wasted' and typically hard to keep track of manually. For an average household, about 75% of this energy can be saved by taking active measures against it. This add-on reports to the user the current level of standby energy usage, and how it compares to their typical situation. Owners can also set their own goals to bring down their consumption level. Furthermore, they are provided with insights on how much money they are currently saving, and how much can possibly be saved given their current situation.
The goal of this feature is to reduce the consumption of standby energy in the house. Standby energy usage is electricity that is 'passively wasted' and typically hard to keep track of manually. For an average household, about 75% of this energy can be saved by taking active measures against it. This add-on reports to the user the current level of standby energy usage, and how it compares to their typical situation. Owners can also set their own goals to bring down their consumption level. Furthermore, they are provided with insights on how much money they are currently saving, and how much can possibly be saved given their current situation.
Cooling Appliance Checker
Cooling Appliance Checker
Cooling Appliance Checker
Cooling appliances can be one of the most power consuming devices in a house on an annual basis. However, most people are unaware of this. Ensuring that these appliances work well and adequately is essential to maintain the energy-bill. This add-on is designed to give users insight into how efficient their cooling appliances are and if they are still working properly. It can also highlight if an investment into a more energy-saving appliance is desirable.
Cooling appliances can be one of the most power consuming devices in a house on an annual basis. However, most people are unaware of this. Ensuring that these appliances work well and adequately is essential to maintain the energy-bill. This add-on is designed to give users insight into how efficient their cooling appliances are and if they are still working properly. It can also highlight if an investment into a more energy-saving appliance is desirable.
Cooling appliances can be one of the most power consuming devices in a house on an annual basis. However, most people are unaware of this. Ensuring that these appliances work well and adequately is essential to maintain the energy-bill. This add-on is designed to give users insight into how efficient their cooling appliances are and if they are still working properly. It can also highlight if an investment into a more energy-saving appliance is desirable.
Cooling appliances can be one of the most power consuming devices in a house on an annual basis. However, most people are unaware of this. Ensuring that these appliances work well and adequately is essential to maintain the energy-bill. This add-on is designed to give users insight into how efficient their cooling appliances are and if they are still working properly. It can also highlight if an investment into a more energy-saving appliance is desirable.
UI Design
UI Design
UI Design
What I learned
What I learned
What I learned
The amount of creative freedom and responsibility that was given to me during this project was an exciting and enriching experience. I have learned a lot about concept development and how to apply data for developing new products and business models. After the conclusion of this project, I continued to work for Eneco for almost two years while continuing with my studies.
The amount of creative freedom and responsibility that was given to me during this project was an exciting and enriching experience. I have learned a lot about concept development and how to apply data for developing new products and business models. After the conclusion of this project, I continued to work for Eneco for almost two years while continuing with my studies.
The amount of creative freedom and responsibility that was given to me during this project was an exciting and enriching experience. I have learned a lot about concept development and how to apply data for developing new products and business models. After the conclusion of this project, I continued to work for Eneco for almost two years while continuing with my studies.
The amount of creative freedom and responsibility that was given to me during this project was an exciting and enriching experience. I have learned a lot about concept development and how to apply data for developing new products and business models. After the conclusion of this project, I continued to work for Eneco for almost two years while continuing with my studies.
Other selected work
Other selected work
Other selected work
Copyright © 2021, Max Meijer.
Copyright © 2021, Max Meijer.
Copyright © 2021, Max Meijer.
Copyright © 2021, Max Meijer.