Designer
Year
Jimmy Wang
2026.
May.
VESS. is a household cleaning device designed for liquid residue that conventional tools struggle to remove.
1. Problem Scenario
Vacuum
Sweeper
Scrubber
Loosens grime without collecting residue.
Cleans debris, not stuck residue.
Cleans surfaces, not for isolated spots.
User Research
When you clean, which of the following are tasks you dread or try to avoid?
Research revealed why users delay cleaning small residues, translating behavioral patterns into clear design opportunities for VESS.
38%/100
38% said cleaning places that can get filthy (e.g., bathrooms, vents, basements, etc.).
20%/100
20% said washing or scrubbing surfaces.
Source: American Cleaning Institute, “American Cleaning Institute 2024 National Cleaning Survey Results,” 4 Dec. 2024. Survey conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults, 12–19 Feb. 2024.
Mental Friction
Hygienic Friction
Physical Friction
Time Friction
PAIN POINTS
Current Cleaning Process
Dry Clean
Dry
Wet Clean
Rinse
Sanitize
1
2
3
4
5
Can we combine five steps into one complete way to clean everyday residue that traditional tools often miss?
BUT. Testing showed that handheld designs did not provide the control and pressure needed for effective cleaning.
"An effective sanitation routine has five steps. Each step has an impact on the next step and should not be skipped."
University of Minnesota Extension. “Sanitizing Equipment and Food Contact Surfaces.” University of Minnesota Extension.
What is liquid residue ?
Liquid residue refers to small, easily ignored stains created by everyday actions such as cooking, drinking, brushing, and washing.
Based on the discovery —
2. Project Ideation
I organized references around intentions, using mind map to identify strong inspirations while keeping VESS’s direction open.
Based on the mood board, I sketched forms around grip and interaction, then tested their handling through 3D-printed prototypes.
20 to-scaled handles printed using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology
