In the hustle of the fast-paced life at my shared apartment, the dishwasher sees frequent action. A common question that surfaces in our group chat is: “Are the dishes in the dishwasher clean?” The consistent uncertainty about this seemingly minor yet inconvenient problem led to the creation of the Dishwasher Status Tracker.

While the concept of a dishwasher status tracker isn't groundbreaking, this project became an opportunity for me to explore a blend of functionality with creativity while putting my spatial visualization skills to the test.

The project began with handcrafted prototypes using everyday printer paper. Envisioning a sliding mechanism, I experimented with folds, overlaps, and edges to ensure a seamless and aesthetically pleasing design.

Once I had the design figured out, I brought it into Illustrator to create precise die-lines. Every detail was considered – from extra folds to maintain clean edges to ensuring the sliding mechanism's fluidity. The final design was then brought to life and made durable through lamination, safeguarding it against the inevitable splashes and spills in a kitchen environment.