Composer

In-Sink Disposal System

We partnered with Composer to modernize one of the most overlooked appliances in the kitchen. In a category defined by incremental updates and performance-driven messaging, we saw an opportunity to elevate both the experience and expression of the in-sink disposal.

Composer brought a fundamentally different approach: a patented iris mechanism and mechanical lever that protect hands, dampen sound, and give users real control over what enters the drain. Our job was to make that shift feel as clear in the product, brand, and experience as it is in the engineering.

Working across industrial design, product development, brand strategy and identity, website design and a Webflow/Shopify e-commerce build, trade show presence, and launch collateral, we refined the interaction model, softened mechanical language into an approachable yet engineered form, and built a cohesive brand ecosystem from the ground up. The result transforms a promising prototype into a fully realized product and platform, elevating a hidden utility into a considered part of the modern kitchen.

Strength, softened

‍Early inspiration drew from the founder's background in aerospace, including the ribs, spiraling forms, and visible mechanical detailing of rocket turbo boosters. We translated those cues into controlled ribbing, defined surface transitions, and confident proportions that give the body a sense of strength and durability. Balanced by softened geometry and approachable curvature, the final form bridges technical credibility with domestic warmth, designed to feel at home in a modern kitchen.

A safer, more intentional system

‍Composer's patented iris mechanism introduces controlled openness at the drain, remaining partially open to pass water while preventing larger objects from falling through. Pushing the lever fully opens the iris, while pressing down and holding activates grinding and water injection before returning to neutral.Because the system relies on mechanical wire actuation beneath the sink, lever length directly impacts both performance and feel. We studied real sink configurations and iterated across multiple prototypes to find the right geometry, delivering a satisfying tactile response while maintaining compatibility across a range of kitchen environments.

Playful & vibrant CMF

‍We developed a CMF strategy inspired by fruits and vegetables, with tones drawn from kumquats, avocados, kiwis, and blueberries. The palette visually connects the product to its purpose while introducing warmth into a traditionally utilitarian category. Multiple lever finishes in stainless steel, black, and brass allow the system to integrate seamlessly with common faucet hardware.

Bridging utility and emotion

‍Composer's brand identity balances reliability with warmth. The logo references circular symmetry and the iris form, echoing the geometry of the drain while reinforcing the core innovation. Rounded typography and balanced proportions mirror the product's industrial design language, creating cohesion across physical and digital touchpoints.

Interactive by design

‍We designed and developed a digital experience that guides users through the product's interaction model, performance, and finish options in a clear narrative progression. Interactive CMF exploration and aspirational kitchen renderings bring the product to life on screen. Built on a Webflow front end with Shopify backend for e-commerce and preorder functionality, the platform reinforces Composer's balance of technical credibility and everyday approachability.

Outcome

Services

Industrial Design

Product Design Ideation & Refinement Human Factors & Ergonomics Model-Making & Prototyping Color, Materials, Finish & Detail Specification Design Engineering Enclosure & Mechanism Engineering