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Product design and user interface for the V-ZUG «Excellence Line»

In close cooperation, Milani and the leading Swiss kitchen appliance manufacturer V-ZUG have developed the design of a completely new generation of appliances and set new standards in the field of ovens and steamers: The groundbreaking "Excellence Line" impresses with unparalleled ease of use and an elegantly reduced look.

The new Excellence Line as received numerous international awards, including the iF Design Award, the Red Dot “Best of the Best” Award, the Design Center Baden-Württemberg Focus Open Award, and a nomination for the UX Design Award.

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A new generation of kitchen appliances – between tradition and future

The mission of V-ZUG is to produce state-of-the-art appliances with a focus on precision, design, materials and durability for a unique lifestyle. The goal of the collaboration with Milani was to create a new generation of kitchen appliances. The challenge was to respect the design language of previous models while clearly evolving it for the future. In particular, the way users interact with the appliances needed to be fundamentally rethought.

User-centered approach from concept to implementation

From the initial innovation concepts to the final design sketches, Milani shaped the design of the new line and, together with V-ZUG, consistently designed the project with the user in mind.

Together with V-ZUG, we conducted extensive user interviews to gain a deep understanding of cooking needs and behaviors across different user groups. During the development process, Milani also realized regular usability tests to check the new products for user-friendliness and to optimize the user experience.

With the design of the hardware and software, Milani and V-ZUG have created an outstanding, seamlessly integrated user experience that meets the needs of a wide range of chefs and cooks. The new "Excellence Line" is astonishingly easy to use, despite its many options. With a subtle design of materials, colors and shapes, it masters the balancing act between cool Swiss high-tech and emotional sensory pleasure. With their puristic design and mirror-glass fronts available in black, platinum and pearl, Excellence Line appliances fit harmoniously into the architecture and atmosphere of every kitchen.

Intuitive interaction as a differentiating feature: patented "Circle Slider"

The central element of the new interaction concept is the patented “Circle Slider.” Integrated directly into the touch display, this rotary control combines tactile and digital interaction.

The rotary encoder is ground into the center of the touch display and offers a slightly roughened surface for precise control. Navigation with the "Circle Slider" is modeled on human thought and action. As a result, it feels natural from the first moment you use it.

The "Circle Slider" has proven to be a strong USP over its competitors, both in terms of operation and appearance, and has also impressed international design juries.

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Simplexity design: reducing complexity without losing functionality

A central principle of the project was the Simplexity approach: products are designed to be as simple as possible and as complex as necessary. Milani developed a consistent product and UI design language, documented in a comprehensive style guide. This serves as the foundation for a coherent user experience across all devices.

Together with V-ZUG, Milani designed the "Excellence Line" in several development cycles, with simple prototypes leading to more complex versions. Various prototypes were used to adapt the appliances to user needs, with the innovative Circle Slider in particular undergoing several test procedures.

First, Milani and V-ZUG tested the usability of the Circle Slider on a touch screen (wireframe) to ensure that it could be understood and operated by people of all ages. In a second step, Milani and V-ZUG developed a more complex, functional prototype. The Circle Slider was milled into the touchscreen and could again be tested and optimized for usability with different target groups.

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The "Circle Slider" has been developed from simple prototypes to more complex versions and has been adapted to the needs of users through various tests.

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Result: clarity, differentiation, and an outstanding user experience

The “Excellence Line” demonstrates how technological complexity can be translated into clarity. The ovens and steamers combine precise functionality with a reduced, architectural design language, integrating seamlessly into modern kitchen environments.

Their true strength unfolds in everyday use: a fully intuitive and effortless user experience. From the very first moment, the appliances can be operated with ease, whether by professional chefs or home cooks. Rather than overwhelming users, they provide clear guidance, delivering exactly what great product development should achieve: clarity in use, confidence in daily interaction, and tangible differentiation in the market.