front view all photos by masayuki hayashi
japanese design studio nendo has developed the product and packaging for an ion diffuser that ionizes water and oxygen molecules through plasma discharge, using the resulting oxygenation to disinfect, deodorize and eliminate viruses.
in a market that is already inundated with air purifiers and disinfectant filters, nendo’s ‘virus attacker’ uses a fan to release concentrated streams of ions at areas like doors, windows and hallways where viruses and bacteria are prone to enter. the design needed to convey the product’s ability to pinpoint strategic areas to attack. to do so, nendo shaped the cylindrical dispenser’s neck to lean slightly forward, ensuring that the device is pointed in the right direction when used. it also makes sure that the ions do not simply adhere to a wall when the diffuser is placed along one.
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designed for the japanese company S.T. corporation, nendo experimented with placing all buttons and indicators at the back of the unit to avoid a kind of ‘technical’ look. when the device is placed on the floor, the angle of the top plane makes it the most easily accessible surface, so it made sense to locate the user interface there. an indicator light runs as a ring around the top panel, and the on / off button takes up the entirety of the top panel. positioning the button and indicator light on the top also allows the rear of the casing to remain clear and unencumbered.
the on / off button takes up the entirety of the top panel and is identified by an indicator light
