POJECT SUMMARY
May 2019
I'm a surfer and a situation I face every time I go surfing is having to either comb or scrape the wax off of my surfboard. Existing surf combs are not ergonomically designed in my opinion, therefore using them is uncomfortable and often painful. I wanted to design a surf comb that was ecofriendly and comfortable to use. I wanted it to have many sharp sides and to be easy to use.
DESIGN PROCESS
I started by studying the relationship of the hand with the comb I currently use. Then I sketched different possible solutions and crafted a prototype myself out of a bamboo flooring plank.
BACKGROUND RESEARCH
PROS: Made from bamboo, a sustainable material
CONS: Has many sharp sides therefore is not comfortable to handle
Cheap most widely used surf comb among surfers
CONS: Existing surf combs are uncomfortable and even painful to grip
Sharp edges put stress on finger tips and palm while utilizing it
STUDY OF INTERACTION
Existing surf combs in relation with hands
IDEATION
Exploring several alternative desings
Exploring clipping mechanisms to enable the rotation of the comb and the grip side
Exploring more options that utilize moving or adjusting mechanisms
Alternative designs without movable parts or mechanisms
MAKING IT REAL
Prototyping
Styrofoam prototypes were built for several of the sketched solutions
Then, the protptypes were tested for comfort and ease of use
After teesting the most comfortable one was selected and some more prototypes were made, using wood this time
Final Product
Finally, sketches with dimensions and specificatinos for the final product were drawn
End product
