From initial sketches to final showcase.
I’m closing out this series of posts about the HammerHead Swim Aid with a look back at its time in the spotlight during the 2025 Edinburgh Napier Degree Show. The Degree show was a fantastic opportunity that allowed myself and many others to showcase work and meet those already in the industry, whilst also marking an end to my undergraduate studies in Product Design.
The 8 posts showcasing the project from start to finish can be found on @tguy.design . On to the next!
Major Project development book overview
part #8
Part 8, development comes to a close and the final concept prototype takes form, this proof of concept model will allow for correct user testing, feedback, and be used in the creation of the Hammerhead swimAIDs promotional material like posters and videos, final product colour”waves” are to come…
Major Project development book overview
part #7
Part 7 sees development come into its final stages as I climb closer towards the finished concept, the swimAID becomes wider and more inclusive to allow those of all builds and heights to use the same product, part 7 also sees the addition of a modular centre console to house the swimAIDS electronic components, this centre console comes in three different sizes in order to allow for an even better fit and added support.
Major Project development book overview
part #6
Part 6 continues to build upon the consideration for user experience and interaction by envisioning a wider product family and internal system to be used alongside the product, one that includes accompanying apps both for the users direct interaction and for official use by swimming lesson instructors. A mock up of how the app would work and what content it would prioritise are included, the development book then goes on to more carefully consider how electronics will be integrated into the physical product.
Major Project development book overview
part #5
Part 5 takes a break from the prototype carving and testing to consider the user experience and journey of tied to the use of the product. What aids the user in interacting with the product successfully? What drives the user to interact with the product again and again? How will the product adapt and evolve over time to support the user throughout their learning experience and progression?
Major Project development book overview
part #4
Part 4’s pages continue the early development of the Hammerhead swimAID, taking early prototypes to the next level, carved into pre-existing float products and tested in the water to allow proper user testing that would later help in the refinement of the swimAID.
Later models are carved out of a high density EVA foam and earlier, weird and wonderful, concept functions are taken into real-world consideration.
Major Project development book overview
part #3
Part 3’s pages introduce the start of what will later become the HammerHead swimAID. In its early concept stages here, it looks to add humour and twists to traditional pool equipment, aiming to build community among lesson participants in order to break stigma around the topic of adults learning to swim and introduce it as a casual topic of conversation among people of all different walks of life.
Major Project development book overview
part #2
Part 2’s pages cover the brief sprint project we took part in to get into a better paced work flow towards the start of the project. The project evolved into a colour coded band system designed to be used in a similar fashion to that of graded belts in martial arts, it would help in the building of an adult learner community and allow lifeguards to easily identify the ability of swimTAB wearers when in the pool.
Major Project development book overview
part #1
Development book initial pages showing rough sketch book entries of weird and wonderful pool aid concepts fit to accompany adult learners in the water.
