As China’s commercial real estate sector continues to mature and consumer spending power rises, shopping malls have become an indispensable part of economic life. Participating in pop-up events, attending celebrity meet-and-greets, browsing through various stores, and joining the crowds in lively street celebrations—these experiences can all unfold within a shopping mall. But what’s more important is that everyone can find their own sense of fulfillment within these spaces.

In fact, consumer behavior and self-expression are often intertwined, a phenomenon particularly evident among young people. Young consumers place greater emphasis on personalization, have a higher tolerance for new trends, and prefer to visit popular shopping districts or trendy stores to check in and make purchases. Targeting young-oriented commercial spaces, Fengniao Innovation recently designed a self-service vending machine that combines new experiences and services for a self-service provider—a DIY phone case printing machine.
Project timeline: 2019

Service content: Product research | Exterior design | Structural design | Hardware development

New Scenarios Present New Challenges

Smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives. As an indispensable companion in our daily routines, the appearance of a smartphone is also a concern for many people. As the saying goes, “People rely on clothing, and horses rely on saddles.” On average, a smartphone is used for two years from purchase to disposal, and the phone case can be changed at will. Not only can users choose their preferred style, but they can also immediately obtain a phone case compatible with their smartphone model. What challenges must be addressed when designing a machine that enables DIY phone case customization?

01 Product Positioning

The product must provide convenient DIY phone case customization services and ultimately deliver the finished product to the user. Deployed in high-traffic commercial districts, the process involves users discovering the machine → using the machine → receiving the finished product, with each stage requiring corresponding design considerations. In the early stages, the product’s functionality and appearance will be the key focus points for attracting attention. The machine itself must have an eye-catching design with unique visual elements.
During the usage phase, the convenience of the interface and workflow will impact the user experience. In the final delivery phase, how the finished product is transferred from the machine to the user’s hands is a key focus of structural design.

02 Usage Process Analysis

The DIY phone case machine provides self-service, requiring users to operate it independently to utilize its functions. Considering the user experience of self-service, the machine’s usage process must be as smooth and straightforward as possible. Upon entering the usage phase, Hummingbird Innovation conducted a rigorous analysis of the product’s usage process.

03 Product Structural Analysis

The internal and external structures of the product must align with its functions. Hummingbird Innovation’s hardware team conducted a rigorous analysis of the product’s hardware movement components.

Additionally, optimal implementation solutions were derived for the machine’s internal optoelectronic sensors and motion mechanisms, and corresponding R&D work was conducted based on hardware requirements. Considering the final transportation of goods and component storage, the internal structural functional zones were strictly divided.

04 Exterior Design Analysis

Based on the internal structural stacking space, Hummingbird Innovation determined the optimal machine exterior dimensions. The product adopts a vibrant color scheme, with the main functional area resembling a smartphone, effectively conveying the product’s functionality and making it easy for target users to interpret.

New Species Meet Personalized Needs

When you want to obtain a new phone case, in addition to the case design, there is another issue to address: matching the phone model with the case.
Customized self-service machines optimize the DIY service process, making DIY simple. The smartphone case DIY printing self-service machine seamlessly integrates these two needs. The machine automatically identifies the smartphone model, and users select options and make payments via a mini-program. After a short wait, they receive a custom smartphone case tailored to their preferences. This product, deployed in the core areas of commercial districts, will lead a new wave of self-service innovation.