Halare

Breathsimple

Breathing is essential to life and breathing well is vital to health.  Simple breath training can alleviate snoring, apnea and stress - improving health, vitality, sleep and relaxation.  This headset included a flexibly positionable nasal breath sensor, ear-clip pulse sensor, wireless connection to a computer training program and earpieces to hear instructional guidance.  Watch your heart relax as your breathing improves.

Admittedly, not all products make it to market.  These developmental models were cool and worked exceptionally well… however, new smart phone technology and a simpler app ultimately proved more cost effective. 

Veto Pro Pac

OT-LC, OT-XL, OT-XXL   

Quality to last

With a shared enthusiasm for details, functionality and customer satisfaction - working closely with founder Roger Brouard, has been an awesome synergistic experience. 

Roger came to us to expedite visualization and definition of new product line extensions, seeking our commitment to build upon the strong high-end brand statement established by his initial products:  seriously appealing, rugged, kick-ass tool bags meet intense ergonomic functionality to nail loyal professional customer satisfaction!

Our first meetings extended enthusiastically into late nights as we physically cut, cobbled, and reconfigured earlier product elements.  Evolving designs, detailing, documentation and 3D CAD geometry were defined for rapid translation into pre-production control samples by his off-shore suppliers.  The process repeated to further extend his brand. 

Colgate

Total

Bristle dynamics!!!

Our ability to question and improve upon existing norms sets us apart.  In a world of toothbrushes then replete with bristles all the same length, we designed this brush specifically to remove plaque.  This first ever toothbrush with varied length, stiffness, and angled bristles, established a new benchmark for clinical efficacy. 

Colgate techs shared two photos, explaining that plaque begins to accumulate within an hour and can be easily removed if merely touched - but only within 24 hours.  We extensively studied competitive products and their use.  However, 'the knock on the head' occurred when observing under magnification that standard bristles of the same length simply wiped tartar from surfaces, then packed it between teeth.

A few pages of sketches later set a path for development: bristles needed to be dynamic with varied length to touch all surfaces; short stiff bundles scrub surfaces while longer flexible spaced part bristles work between teeth; angled peripheral bristles get into the gum line.    

Our desire to prove efficacy led to a second eureka:  groups of individual bristles were hand-packed under magnification into custom patterned holes… upon which we cast prototypical handles.  Clinically tested models achieved 160% improved efficacy!  The bristle over-molding process then translated into mass production - staples are no longer needed to retain bristles.

Both Harvard and Columbia business schools held Total toothbrush high to exemplify market changing paradigm shifts.  Toothbrushes became a unique category.  Profit margins increased.  Brushes are no longer marketed solely to sell toothpaste.     

cap toys

Power m&m Dispenser

Candy is more fun when presented! 

Press the power button on the back to send m&m's for an orbital ride on their way to being dispensed into the palm of your hand.   Twist off the cap to refill the bin.  

Inspired by observing automated rotary feed bowls dispense parts on a syringe assembly line… a conceptual sketch for this motorized m&m dispenser - made the next day during a flight to meet with the entrepreneurial John Osher, president of cap toys, to discuss other projects - sold the idea.  Before the next annual Toy Fair, we introduced six new cap products, including power m&m and power PEZ dispensers.    

After nearly 20 years having fun doing serious design… for m&m we had 'serious fun' doing design!  Receiving recurring royalties, on top of consulting service fees, certainly also heightened the fun.