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.

profile


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