Summer 2024 | Skill Development
Model Making, Branding, CAD modeling, Ergonomics, Internal Mechanism
Creating an addition to the Revlon Beauty Brand, with a new electric nail file and dust collection fan, the new design solves for safety concerns, ergonomics, portability, and perception of value.
According to the U.S Census data and Simmons National Consumer Survey, an estimated 20.05 million Americans performed manicures four or more times a year, putting these users at risk for several side effects. This practice ranges from professional to prosumer and consumer usage and it includes the usage of multiple chemical agents. These chemicals, mainly the formaldehyde made present by sanding nail acrylic, cause eye irritation, skin reactions, and respiratory issues that are linked to both asthma and cancer.
Is there a way we can develop a product that both reduces these health risks and increases comfort across all users?
User Observation
Task Analysis & Pain Points
Ergonomic Pain Points:
& Physical Pain Points:
Opportunity Space
The Category & Product
There is no market leader, with products ranging from filers, to dust collectors, to a combination of both.
Competitor Matrix
High efficiency meets high value perception (top right).
Materiality and form creates a higher perception of value for consumers
High adjustability and repeat use drives efficiency & value.
Products with full feature efficiency lack aesthetic appeal across the market. (there is no market leader).
Functional Matrix
Opportunity lies where high portability is met with proper safety measures.
Filing Tools, specifically cordless and battery powered, are highly portable but lack dust collection.
Dust collecting fans are larger in size and none seemed to have a battery powered system.
Brand Solution
Portable | Protective | Premium
Revlon is known for emphasizing bold, vibrant, and stylish design. They have a track record of products that embody elegance, user-thinking, and innovation, which could fuel my goal to raise the perception of value for this product through advanced performance and aesthetics.
The new category leader: Reliable, Luxurious, Ergonomic, Sleek, & Elegant.
Revlon has a reputation of being synonymous with quality in beauty, haircare, & nailcare.
Transforming the category with a well known, trustworthy, and high value brand.
Designing with sleek metallics and bold color, elegant symmetry with organic forms.
Initial Ideation & Prototyping
3D Model Testing | Round 1
3D Model Testing | Round 2
Inner Component Breakdown
File Components
Carefully disassembling my analogous tool, the Coslus brand electric nail drill and documenting its components and structure, noting parts in an exploded knolling style layout.
Vacuum Components
A major objective in this product is the protection from unsafe dust particles. I wanted to add a vacuum into the file, however found it was not possible with current technology. Deciding to look into a separate dust collecting fan as a solution.
The Final Design
The Final Design
The Final Prototype
Starting with a black resin print which was primed and sanded multiple times until smooth (working to 4000 grit and steel wool) to create a weight consistent model with consistent materiality and real bit attachment possible.
& The Final Poster
Creating ten original poster thumbnails (2 rounds), taking feedback from peers & professors in critique. Creating two full scale mock-ups, printing & mounting the final onto foam board, then onto foam core for a 3D display.
