PHILIPS
BREWING
NEW GROUNDS
Background
Philips had already launched a connected coffee machine, but it failed to gain traction.
They came to us asking: what do people really want from a connected coffee experience?
WORK
Through a series of design sprints, we set out to uncover genuine opportunities in the market, exploring frictions, unmet needs and moments where technology could truly enhance the coffee ritual.
We ended up generated 70+ concepts and distilled them into four value proposition directions:
Personalization – coffee that adapts to your taste, mood, and connected devices.
Exploration – an app and community that turn every bean into a discovery.
Continuity – a companion that pre-heats, re-orders, and keeps your coffee moments flowing.
Simplicity – intuitive, hassle-free interactions through touch, voice, or chat.
To bring these to life, we built interactive prototypes, enabling Philips to test, evaluate and prioritize which opportunities had the most potential.
Impact
The four directions and prototypes gave Philips a clear roadmap to re-enter the connected coffee market with confidence.
Instead of repeating past mistakes, they had consumer-centered value propositions that unlocked new possibilities for how people enjoy their coffee.
