Design Type:  Product

Designer:  Smart Design

OXO wanted to expand its gardening products with a line of watering cans and challenged the design team to create a new watering can line would be comfortable to use for a wide range of people, true to OXO’s roots in universal design, and deliver an innovative solution that would differentiate the brand in a product category that has seen little in the way of advancements over the years. Following comprehensive field research of people watering plants at home with conventional watering cans, the design team found three significant areas for meaningful innovation, storing, pouring, and filling. Unlike other plastic watering cans on the market, which are modeled after their metal counterparts, the cans developed by the design team takes full advantage of the benefits that plastic affords. The spout rotates into the body, making the Watering Can compact enough to set into a sink for filling and tuck into a cabinet for storing. The spout is translucent, allowing the user to see the exact amount of water in the can and to see the water coming when watering plants. The can and opening is shaped for easy filling and to fit conveniently under a kitchen sink faucet. In addition to the shape the rotating spout makes this especially easy. The watering cans are designed for durability, and are made of recyclable materials. Additionally, its rounded shapes hold maximum volumes of water with minimal plastic. Importantly for OXO, shipping, packing, and retail storage costs are greatly reduced. Watering cans of equal capacity, without a rotating spout, take up 50% more space in storing and shipping.