Hoto Paint Sprayer

SYNOPSIS
The prompt for this 13-week student project was to design a power tool that fits into an existing brand's ethos.

The Hoto ColorPro seeks to be a DIY painting solution that can be quickly set up, cleaned, and bridges the gap between consumer grade & professional paint sprayers on the market.

TYPE
Industrial Design
3D Visualization
DATE
Summer 2023

"Fueled by the pandemic’s convergence of endless scrolling, supply chain woes and the thrill of quick cash, furniture flipping has become D.I.Y. that, for many, is worth a try."

- Kelly Dawson
New York Times

The Problem with DIY Painting

Hand-painting furniture often results in inconsistent finishes, leading to a time-consuming process with increased chances of errors, requiring a more streamlined and efficient solution.

Hand painting furniture and DIY projects often result in inconsistent paint thickness and messiness, requiring a more streamlined and cleaner approach for a polished finish.

Painting Furniture Observed Process

Airless paint sprayers can provide efficiency to DIY projects by providing a faster and more even application of paint and finishes.

Entry-level paint sprayers, typically priced between $40 and $100, are budget-friendly options suitable for DIY enthusiasts. However, they often come with limited features, sacrificing advanced functionalities for affordability.

Entry Level

Walking home

Professional paint sprayers, ranging from $400 to $1500, offer robust performance but at a higher cost. While they provide superior capabilities, their interfaces can be complex, requiring a learning curve for users to harness the full potential of these high-end tools.

Professional

Autumn Streets

The options for a DIY solution are limited...

Autumn Streets

Interviewing Consumers & Pro-sumers

Two individuals with experience in hand painting and spray gun usage were interviewed. Participants were questioned about their preference for traditional hand painting or using a spray gun, perceived effectiveness and accuracy of each method, the advantages and disadvantages they encountered, and they elaborated on a step-by-step process of their interactions with both techniques.

Anthony, 27

Digital Marketing

Bio

Anthony is a graphic designer & marketing professional with a passion for restoring thrifted furniture pieces in his free time, and he tends to restore pieces back to their original state. However, he has hesitated to buy a paint sprayer due to concerns about complexity and cleanup.

Hand Painting - Pain Points

  • Messy application
  • Washing brushes/rollers
  • Accuracy with paintstrokes
  • Time-consuming process

Product Desires

  • Easy to use
  • Durable but light
  • Thoughtfully designed
  • Easy to store in apartment
"I've always enjoyed the personal touch of hand painting, and I tend to use a brush for details and a roller for larger surfaces"

"I'm on the lookout for something that brings efficiency to the creative process and doesn't break the bank".

Matt, 47

Retired Contractor

Bio

Matt is a 47-year-old retired contractor with a background in construction and home painting. He uses hand painting techniques for detail work, but taking on larger scale projects has led him to adopt a Graco brand paint sprayer.

Paint Sprayer - Pain Points

  • Emptying process (needs to turn sprayer upside-down)
  • Wired design hinders mobility & storage
  • Swap out tips for different spray patterns
  • Weight distribution (front heavy w/ reservoir)

Product Admirations

  • Efficiency & coverage
  • Versatility (surfaces, materials, and liquids)
  • Professional finishes every time
  • Durable materials - hard plastic and metal
"Well, the beauty of a quality paint gun lies in its nozzle and air pressure control" ... "with these modern paint guns, they come packing brushless motors or pumps, they make the paint spray smooth and even. No streaks or uneven coats – it's just solid".

Matt's Graco Paint Spayer

Creative Strategy

Ergonomic Handle

Simple User Interface

Wireless Connection

Comfortable grip & trigger position

Visible PSI & battery level on screen

Modular battery for mobility & easy storage

Introducing HOTO

HOTO brings a sleek modern design to your run-of-the-mill gadgets without sacrificing performance. With a focus on merging aesthetics with functionality, HOTO introduces intuitive and minimalist tools that elevate mundane tasks to an inspiring experience.

Internal Development

Buying & tearing down an affordable paint sprayer allowed for a in-depth examination of the complex mechanics as well as the structure of the molded shell.

CAD prototypes guided the development of an ergonomic handle and overall proportion

Functional Threads & Measured Tolerances

Orthographic Views

Internal Components

ColorPro Paint Sprayer

Sleek & Durable

The screwless aluminum body addresses the need for a modern yet durable paint sprayer.

20v Swappable Battery

Powered by 2500mAh lithium battery cells, offering up to 45 minutes of activity.

Digital PSI Adjustment

Precise digital PSI control with the top button.

10 power levels to choose from for a job well done.

PSI Button

Hold to turn on, press to switch between PSI.