The Skipper Nautical Compass
The Skipper line of recreational nautical compasses was designed for three applications: Deck Mount, Flush Mount, and Bracket Mount.
Each version uses the same upper plastic housing and compass internals.
The design is distinctive, but not overwhelming, so as not to conflict with the styling of a wide variety of nautical craft.
Click the headlines below to see our design process applied to the development of this product.
Design Brief:
Beginning with a design brief, we plan the best way to approach the project.
Our process is flexible enough to be applied to virtually any product development challenge.
We move with confidence, because of our faith in our experience, skills, and team mentality.
Research:
We begin by researching existing and competing products, as well as the lifestyles of the consumer the product will be designed for.
Our research helps guide us, and connects us to the market throughout the design process.
Human Factors:
Our human factors/ergonomics studies help define the product and how people will interact with it, and how it will interact with people.
This includes not only physical interaction, but visual, and even perceptual interaction, especially in the case of graphic user interfaces.
Concept Development:
During our ideation process, we develop design concepts, processing and applying all the information we've gathered and analyzed.
These concepts can be presented in several forms, ranging from pencil sketches and marker renderings, to computer generated images and sketch models.
Computer Aided Design (CAD):
Our Industrial Designers, Mechanical Designers and Engineers work together to address both the ID and Mechanical aspects of the product.
From the cad model, we can produce tolerance checks, export to prototype and production, create digital photorealistic renderings, and conduct Finite Element Analysis.
Our 3D CAD software includes:
Pro Engineer with ISDX, Mechanica, SheetMetal, and others.
Solidworks
Rhino
Analysis:
Tools such as Finite Element Analysis are used to evaluate design alternatives.
The animation to the right shows the deformation of a plastic housing component under load. This model was used to calculate ribbing schemes that would prevent excess deformation of the bottom housing.
Prototyping/Model Making Product Testing
Through rapid prototyping and model making we can prove out fit, function, manufacturing and many other issues.
Often, the prototypes are used for product testing, and can be finished, with graphics and all, for presentation at trade shows.
We also have an on-sight soft model shop, as well as an off-sight hard model and painting facility.
Production:
We offer vendor liaison and mechanical and industrial design support all the way though production.
Many of our clients have benefited from our experience in bringing a large number of products to market.
Contact us> to learn more about what we can do for you, our to receive a quote for your project.