Sponsored by the Hillman Group, Adian Basalay and I were tasked with developing new tool carrying concepts for their Firm Grip brand. Firm Grip only had glove products and thus was looking for innovative solutions that would differentiate them from their competitors. Check out Adian's page below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/adian-basalay-9790151b5/
Solution
We found that electricians often had the most variation in tools and jobs. Thus, we designed a modular tool pouch system for electricians that allowed them to adapt to any job in mere seconds.
"Deliver concepts for a new, on-person tool carrying design for the Firm Grip brand."
Understanding the Firm Grip Brand
Design Elements
Firm Grip focuses on creating products that fit the environment of the user and maintain a clear association to the product's intended use. Thus, the design should be stylish, rugged, and specialized, resulting in a product suited to perform a particular task.
Product Attributes
Firm Grip products are engineered for the professional and deliver professional results for the DIYer. Thus, Firm Grip products are innovative, practical, and durable. They are meant to take take a beating while delivering unparalleled performance.
Signature Elements
On the gloves, Firm Grip often uses product labels that relate to use such as "Dura-knit", "Utility", and "General Purpose". Additionally, they place their logo where it can be seen by the user, such as on the wrist of their gloves. Finally, they use different materials and color to highlight touchpoints.
Brand Personality
Firm Grip is a tough, hardworking, and reliable brand that offers industrial-grade protection equipment for every type of job. They are obsessed with delivering products that perform flawlessly for trade professionals and DIYers alike. Thus, they are assertive and disruptive, yet approachable.
Observing the Electricians
After observing a job site, we found the electricians to be particularly fascinating. We followed up this job site visit with interviews with electricians.
1. The Messiest Trade
Throughout our site observations and user interviews, we heard the refrain that "electricians [were] the messiest trade", as they had the most tools of any group.
2. Tool Carry Types
We observed that electricians usually carried tool bags and tool pouches. They usually wore tool pouches on the body and used tool bags as extra storage. Every electrician we interviewed preferred a different size of pouch.
3. Service vs. Installation
One the electricians we interviewed provided us with a map tracking their foot traffic over a summer at a job site. From this, we learned that there were two types of jobs: service and installation.
Design Goals from Observational Insights
Insight 1: More Tools, More Problems
The electricians were known as the messiest group because they had the greatest number of tools, most of which they did not use frequently. This is due to the variety of jobs they are called on to perform.
Goal 1: Allow for Expansion
We wanted our design to expand as the electrician acquired more tools and keep up with their organizational needs.
Insight 2: Quick vs. Organized
Electricians had tool bags for quick storage and access, such as throwing all their tools in after finishing a job. Meanwhile, they used their pouch for meticulous organization.
Goal 2: Let the Pros Find Their Balance
Since the experts know best, we wanted our design to let electricians customize their experience and find their optimal balance between quick and organized storage.
Insight 3: Job Type Affects Movement
We found that service jobs tend to be stationary while installation jobs require mobility. Thus, electricians may have a wide range of tasks, especially when working in construction, that would require varying degrees of mobility.
Goal 3: Adapt to Job Changes
The design should be able to adapt to both service and installation job types. Electricians should be able to easily change their load-out depending on the job so we wanted to develop some sort of modular system.
"How might we design a flexible, modular, and expandable tool carrying system tailored toward electricians?"
Exploring Various Directions
Narrowing the Focus
Volume & Layout Prototypes
Progress
Good size and volume
Concepts allows for expansion and customization
Electrician Feedback
Likes idea of expansion pouches
Don't over-complicate the design
Next Iteration
Refine picket shapes and sizes
Explore flat-lays and understand sewing patterns
Progress
Developed angular design language
Flat-lays seem viable for sewing patterns
Next Iteration
Explore soft vs. rigid materials
Test weight bearing abilities
Ideate on attachment mechanisms
Soft vs. Rigid
Progress
Created soft duct tape model
Understood where to sew seams
Attached to belt via metal clip
Issues
Too soft, sagged when tools are put in
Clip was not stable, pouch swing on belt
Clip was annoying to take off and put on
Progress
Used cardboard to stiffen walls of pouch
Attached to belt via belt loop
Electrician Feedback
Liked angular, rigid design
Wanted to put small pouches inside big pouch
3-4 pockets was enough
Next Iteration
Allow small pouches to fit in big pouch
Find mechanism that detaches in one motion
Sewing Prototypes
Progress
Tested magnetic latch mechanism, easy to detach
Sewing patterns established
Used cardboard inserts for stiffness
Small pouch fit inside big pouch
Next Iteration
Pouch still flimsy, use plastic inserts
Latch mechanism swings too much
Finalize CMF
Progress
Added 3D-printed base for stability
Hemmed edges
Used yellow to indicate interaction
Used acrylic inserts for rigidity
Electrician Feedback
Looked like a real product
Cover gap in top hem
Next Iteration
3D-print cover for gap in top hem
Add latch mechanism and rivet details
Latch Mechanism
Progress
Created magnetic latch mechanism
Had two attachment points for stability
Pull up to release
Issues
Difficult to 3D print, spring kept snapping off
Time constraints prevented use of engineering resins
