Product Design Studio
As the social movement of tiny houses and downsizing takes off, people are simplifying their living space to reduce their footprint for a myriad of reasons. Along with urban gardeners, they have a distinct need for space-saving schemes and smartly designed products. SWARM worked with RedHed Tools on several projects to address the need for a high quality garden tool system that provides the ability for gardeners to do more with less.
The RedHed Garden Tool System was created with quality and craftsmanship as paramount factors. Equally important was simplicity and ease of use. Starting with product development, SWARM was tasked to create an interface between the tool heads and the handles that was not intrusive to the product, was “dead simple”, and had the utmost in durability. Through research and industrial design, SWARM generated a lightweight and clickable aluminum connector (patent-pending) that met all the targets. This unique interface was then carried over to create a full system.
The Garden Tool Master Kit includes 1 bag, 4 steel tool heads and 4 hickory handles plus extender, that create a total of 32 tool combinations. The tools are powder coated to survive a lifetime of use and feature a nostalgic retro-look. SWARM worked with this design directive and integrated it into every element of the system: from the vertical lines that hide tooling marks on the aluminum connectors to the classic look of the packaging.
SWARM developed both a soft and hard case to provide a quick and easy system targeted at two different consumers. Mimicking a tool roll, the soft case had to provide cost-effective tidy storage in a lightweight package for the urban gardener. Constructed of heavy denier nylon, the water-resistant custom storage case neatly stores each kit piece in its designated spot, with pull-tabs to lock them in place.
A blow molded hard case was then developed to target the professional landscaper. Primary goals were to keep the production costs down by shrinking the size of the soft case. SWARM provided a creative tool layout for enhanced user experience, smart tool placement and efficient use. Working with the offshore manufacturing vendor, SWARM created tooling and sourced the product. To meet the demand of the upcoming market season, all items were delivered on a shortened time line.
The Perfect Planner is a unique tool that enables users to create professional gardens with quick and easy layouts and proper spacing. SWARM created prototypes to determine size requirements, parameters, measurement increments and angles. To eliminate parts and SKUs, making it internally easier for RedHED, each piece is interchangeable. SWARM created one mold with easy assembly using durable fiber impregnated ABS plastic. The full kit includes planting guide and flags for planting layout all within a stand-alone package that educates the consumer and sells itself.
To target the big box retailer, SWARM created Double Shovel packaging that includes a reduced number of tools yet allowed for system addition. The packaging needed to explain product benefits, reduce retail footprint and be durable. Utilizing prototyping and 3D modeling, SWARM worked with the box manufacturer to create a minimal cardboard piece that hangs and clearly communicates the product message at first glance.
Services
Product Design
Sourcing
Packaging Design