Snorkelforce
Snorkel Force is a research group at the University of Portsmouth developing a new generation of respiratory muscle training technology.
Our aim is simple: enable swimmers and other aquatic athletes to train their breathing muscles while they are already in the water.
By combining respiratory muscle training with normal aquatic sessions, we hope to make training more efficient, more specific and ultimately more effective.
For this project I was responsible for developing initial proof of concept designs and prototypes and am tasked to oversee further development in collaboration with upcoming business partners.
Moodboard
After setting the brief, I undertook some initial research, looked for inspirations and created a moodboard to guide the first concepts.
Personas
The next step was observing snorkel users in action and conducting a competitor product benchmark. I gathered these insights to create 3 different user personas as references for further design work.
Concept Sketching
I went on to creating many initial concept sketches, a few of which are included here. We did two different design reviews with the other members of the team to decide how to best further develop the product.
Detailed Sketching
Once we converged on an overall concept, I focused on creating multiple detailed sketches of the final idea.
Anthropometric Study
We defined a final concept, but before moving on to computer aided modelling, it was essential to gather the relevant anthropometric data to inform precise dimensions the product should have and ensure the design is as human centered as possible.
3D Modelling
I used computer aided design software to create and further develop the product. This involved a lot of iterative design, of which the last version is showcased here. I used 3D printing in parallel to modelling to try out ideas and improve the design on the fly to converge to a working proof of concept prototype.
Prototyping
I created multiple prototypes using a combination of 3D printing, bought in parts and silicone sheets cute and glued to the right size. The last version is shown here, and was an effective proof of concept for the brief to support the case for further development and preparation for mass manufacture.
Rendering
After the design process for the first prototype was near complete, it was time to create visually pleasing 3D renders to give a preview of what the final product could look like. I made multiple renders in Keyshot and included the best ones here.