Can an air purifier be beautiful?
Contrary to the popular advice for books, everyone is invited to judge the Coway Airmega air purifier by its cover. After all, the creative minds behind the air purification system were inspired by design thinking, and their emphasis on eye appeal has won over many design experts. In the words of Amanda Lauren, a writer who specializes in interior design, the Airmega “looks like a modern sculpture” for the home.
Empathy for the problem of bad design
Empathy is the first step in creating a product that improves people’s lives. In this preliminary stage, the goal is to fully understand the problem at hand, and to empathize with those dealing with it. For Coway Airmega customers, the main issue is poor indoor air quality and the conditions that arise as a result.
Yet there was another issue: the long history of ugly air filters in people’s living spaces. To solve for this, Coway’s design team created streamlined products that fit into contemporary, stylish homes.
Define and ideate
Through the experience of empathy, developers are then able to define the user’s problem. Once it’s defined, they begin to explore a range of solutions. Many Coway designers are inspired by architecture and the notion that form follows function. In other words, the look and the function of any building—or in this case, an object for the home—should feel unified.
As a result, the Coway Airmega doesn’t have any superfluous buttons or unnecessary design elements. Its functions are available in a simple, elegant form.
Perhaps the Shakers said it best in their approach to design: “Don’t make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful.”
Prototype and test
Coway designers tested and integrated the latest advances in technology to develop the features for the Coway Airmega. Not only did technology optimize the filter’s internal functioning, it also influenced the product’s appearance through new possibilities in material and shape.
The Coway Airmega is known for helping families solve the problem of poor indoor air quality by removing over 99.97 percent of particles up to 0.3 microns in size. And while it helps people breathe healthier air, it adds beauty to every living space, too.
Disclaimers
1Coway air purifiers have been proven to trap dust, pollen, dander, viruses and bacteria in the air based on KCL (Korea Conformity Laboratories) testing.They have been tested in a 30㎥ size chamber according to the Korea Air Cleaning Association standard (SPS-KACA 002-132:2022 Modified) to measure the 0.01㎛ size of particle removal rate. It was tested on maximum airflow speed in normal room temperature and humidity conditions. The performance may vary in the actual living environment of customers.
→ Tested with Airmega Aim, 100, 150, 160, AP-1216L, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 200M, Icon, IconS, 230, 240, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S, ProX
299.97% of viruses, bacteria, fungi and pollen were verified to be removed from the air for Coway air purifiers which have Green True HEPA™ filter applied based on the Japan Food Research Laboratories(JFRL) testing according to JEM 1467 standard.
→ Tested with Coway Airmega AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S
→ All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
- Virus: Tested with Escherichia coli phage ΦX174 NBRC 103405, 60 minutes
- Bacteria: Tested with Staphylococcus epidermidis NBRC 12993, 60 minutes
- Fungi/Mold: Tested with Penicillium citrinum NBRC 6352, 60 minutes
- Pollen: Tested with Cedar Pollen extract, 60 minutes
3Aerosol test conducted in a Biosafety level 3 laboratory with two Coway air purifier models, Coway Airmega 250 and 400 for removal of SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol by US based MRI Global, a not-for-profit laboratory and partner of US Department of Defense. The test was conducted in a 13.1ft3 chamber. Virus was aerosolized for 15 minutes and the product was turned on high for 2 minutes. Result showed each product effectively removed over 99.98% of the SARS-CoV-2 in 2 minutes. This is a result from a laboratory experiment condition and result may vary in different conditions. This result does not imply it kills SARS-CoV-2 or prevents the transmission of Covid-19. Coway Airmega 250S and 400S are identical to the tested models and has equal performance with an additional mobile connectivity function.
4The concentration of ammonia, acetaldehyde and acetic acid were proven to be removed within 30 minutes by FCG Research Institute, Inc. Human Life Science Lab. It is not a demonstration result in the actual use space. Not all odors and gases may be supported. → Tested with Coway Airmega 150, 160, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 400, 400S
5The coverage area of the air purifier is based on an area where the air cleaner can make two air changes per hour (ACPH). An air change per hour translates to how many times an air purifier can clean an area, assuming the height of a ceiling to be 8 ft, in one hour. Therefore ** means two air changes per hour means that the cleaner can clean the area once every 30 minutes and * means air changes per hour means that the air purifier can clean the area once every 60 minutes.
10Terms and conditions apply. Discounts, including promotions, coupons, bundle discount and subscription discount, cannot be stacked on top of other coupons. During promotional periods, discount codes will not be able to be applied to orders. Promo codes may apply to products only—filters, accessories, and new products within 3 months of the release date are not included.
