Pleasure with products - Refrigerators from the past, present and future

Traditional

Visceral – The top/bottom design fridge from my childhood is not the most appealing fridge to look at. It wouldn’t make anyone gasp when you walked into a kitchen.

Behavioral – Works like a charm. Very intuitive layout. Freezer on top, fridge on the bottom. Separate compartments for fruits, vegetables etc. It is perfect for functionality and efficiency.

Reflective – Nothing really more than a utility appliance for the kitchen. Doesn’t evoke a lot of thought or emotion. Just happy it does that job.

The traditional freezer on top (or top mount) style refrigerator is the most common type of fridge which has been around for as far back as we can remember. It is in no way an appliance that will cause chatter during dinner parties for its beauty, but it has a simple design and basic functionality that gives it longevity in the market. The freezer being on top (ie eye-level) makes it easy to access frozen items stored in the back. Top mounts are also very affordable based on the size you need, which is also why they are very common. In the end, the functionality and simplicity win out in this old-school design.

[http://images.buyersedge.com/images/Standard/refrigerators_guide_4.jpg]


Side by Side Fridge

Visceral – This sleek, titanium finish fridge adds some wow factor into any kitchen. The added gadgets (internet, music player, camera, video) only put it over the top.

Behavioral – No problems here. Advanced refrigerator technology puts it at the top of its game in terms of how cold to keep things, where to keep them (compartments) . Side by side door looks clean and easy. Issues come about when the extra gadgets make things a little more complicated than needed for a fridge/freezer.

Reflective – This refrigerator will definitely peak people interested when they walk into a kitchen with a lot of the technological features. And the brand LG is also a well known brand when it comes to cutting edge technology. The side by side door is also a popular style of fridge, and it is not that advanced that it has a lasting impression for days to come.

The side by side style fridge definitely has a more appealing aura surrounding it. Especially the titanium finish and display screen housing the internet/video make you want to constantly be standing beside your fridge, listening to music, checking the weather etc. With its internet capabilities you can re-stock your fridge by ordering online. Other than the fact that you have to stand all the time next to it, I would want to be with this fridge more than anywhere else in my house. Music, videos, internet and FOOD!!!

[http://www.lginternetfamily.co.uk/fridge.asp]


Tree House Fridge

Visceral – This unusual yet fascinating design will definitely stand out where ever you see it. By looking at it you wouldn't think that it was a refrigerator at all, more like a cartoon cutout!

Behavioral – The fridge has separate branches for storing meats, cheese, fruits and other items. Although, i'm not too sure where exactly you would keep this in your kitchen at home :P Also you step on a button to open the compartments. It doesn't seem like it would easy to use, especially when i'm hungry and i just want to get something quickly

Reflective – Without a doubt this tree house refrigerator would be very expensive and would probably be more decoration or conversation piece than something used in the average kitchen.

The tree house fridge is definitely something from the future, and is an example of reflective design. I would think to see this only in a science museum or if you were insanely wealthy. I'm not sure how easy it would be to load the different compartments with fruits, vegetables, eggs etc. Although it seems like it would have advanced control of temperature for each section. In the end the fridge stands out as a reflective design giving the memory of childhood when you have a tree house in your backyard and of picking apples from a tree. This is definitely a fridge that you would tell everyone you know about.

[http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2007/01/the_fridge_of_t.html]