PROJECT BACKGROUND
(Dude with too much stuff in his pockets)
(It's because he doesn't have anywhere to put his keys)
USER MOODBOARD
A recent internet movement has been the rise of the "performative male." The wired headphone, tote bag wearing, matcha drinking facade- an attempt to appeal fit into this soft aesthetic (for reasons unknown to me).
This user is fixated on being perceived; they want to have as much visible expression of their "character" as possible.
SKETCH DEVELOPMENT
Because the forms are so simple, this was another project where I kept the sketching process minimal. I tried out a few forms, but once something spoke to me, I got into CAD to start prototyping and begun exploring a physical form.
FORM EVOLUTION
ITERATION ONE
ITERATION TWO
ITERATION THREE
ITERATION FOUR
The ring was too thick
Flimsy back, 3d print snapped off immediately
Bulky, variable diameter ring not effective
Sleeker than previous vers.
Back piece cuts off abruptly
Fit on waistband too tight
Topology issues (incl. all previous vers.)
Upper body too tall
New topology issues
Not manufacturable at scale
Needed to reduce cost, remove material
PROTOTYPE TESTING
I enlisted my friends to do all my prototype testing, deploying them into their normal days with the addition of a prototype clip.
By the end of the day I was able to gather some valuable feedback and even do some limit testing. It can hold a full waterbottle when clipped into mesh shorts.
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DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURING
The clip consists of three parts and two sets of two fasteners. Designed with the intention of being sold. Cast and milled in aluminum alloy.
DFM ready and production pending.
THE STEEZE CLIP
Simple construction, eternal swag and durability. The steeze clip is absolutely not something you need, but damn it looks cool.
Click image (right) to play video.
PRECISION MILLED
The clip head is CNC milled out of solid aluminum alloy, anchoring the whole design.
ROBUST FRAME
A high-gauge aluminum rod is machine bent to form the clip channel. Cast pins are pushed through near-zero tolerance holes in both bodies, firmly fastening the clip together without the use of glues or adhesives.
GRIP RECESSES
At the top of the head, the material is machined down to create a space to comfortably hold and handle the object.
CONTEXT GALLERY
Scale reference and marketing / promotional renderings for the steeze clip.
PROMOTIONAL BILLBOARDS, CHICAGO UNDERPASS
KEYCHAIN WITH LABUBU AND AIRPODS
"EMPTY CLIP", LOS ANGELES
FIT CHECK, BARCELONA