FLEXGUARD
An ergonomic smart shin guard designed to detect all your movements, including running and impacts, providing real-time data for enhanced performance and protection.
The Problem: Soccer players need gear that boosts performance and safety. A smart, ergonomic shin guard with app integration can provide impact protection and post-game performance insights, combining comfort with valuable data tracking.
SOFTGOODS
SKETCHING
PROTOTYPING
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
USER AND MARKET RESEARCH
USER TESTING
SPORTING GOODS
CONCEPT IDEATION
BRANDING
3D PRINTING
ERGONOMICS
OVERVIEW
Goals
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Enhance Protection – Improve impact absorption to reduce injuries.
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Increase Comfort – Use soft, breathable materials for a better fit.
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Improve Flexibility – Design with adaptable materials for natural movement.
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Reduce Weight – Keep it lightweight without compromising durability.
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Ensure Secure Fit – Use strong Velcro or ergonomic designs to prevent slipping.
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Enhance Breathability – Incorporate moisture-wicking fabrics to reduce sweat buildup.
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Improve Durability – Use high-quality materials that withstand wear and tear.
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Provide Ankle Support – Add stability features to protect against twists and sprains.
Pain Points
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Too stiff, restricting movement.
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Uncomfortable straps or sleeves that dig into the skin.
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Poor fit—either too loose (sliding down) or too tight (causing discomfort).
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Lack of impact absorption, leading to injuries.
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Fragile materials that crack or wear out quickly.
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Poor ankle protection in some designs.
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Weight & Flexibility
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Too bulky or heavy, affecting speed and agility.
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Not flexible enough to adapt to natural leg movement.
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Poor ventilation, causing excessive sweating.
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Odor buildup from trapped moisture and bacteria.
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Convenience & Usability
My Role
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Project Duration: 6 Months
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Design Process: User & market research, sketching, mockups, user testing, brainstorming, CMF, Softgoods, 3D printing, prototyping
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Digital Tools: SolidWorks. Keyshot, Sketchbook Pro, Adobe CC​
Solution
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Durable mesh shock absorber for enhanced impact protection.
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Dri-Fit textured material sock to wick away moisture and improve comfort.
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Soft gel heel protector to reduce pain and pressure during play.
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High-strength Velcro to keep front padding securely in place.
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Lower and front ankle support for added stability and protection.
MARKET RESEARCH
Many shin guards on the market today lack comfort, flexibility, and adequate protection. Some are made from low-quality materials that not only make them uncomfortable to wear but also fail to stay securely in place during play.
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USER NEEDS
Soccer players seek a new and innovative feel with a more ergonomic design that provides maximum comfort while still protecting the heel, shin, and ankle. To meet these needs, the shin guard must be improved to enhance performance on the field without compromising protection.
CONCEPT IDEATION
Exploring shin guard designs through sketching while focusing on aesthetics and functionality.
Final Direction
Keeping it secured
All-in one sleeve protection
Back heel shock absorber
protection
using thin elastic bands
PROTOTYPING AND USER TESTING
Throughout the prototyping phase:
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Materials: Selecting durable and high-quality components
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Elasticity: Ensuring flexibility for a secure and comfortable fit
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Lightweight Design: Reducing bulk without compromising protection
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Functionality: Enhancing performance with smart features
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Strength: Testing durability against high-impact collisions
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Straps: Designing adjustable straps for a secure fit
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Fitment: Ensuring the shin guard stays in place during play
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Placement: Optimizing coverage for maximum protection
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Comfort: Prioritizing ergonomic design for long-term wear
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Washable Materials: Using easy-to-clean fabrics for hygiene and longevity
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CMF (COLOR, MATERIAL AND FINISH)
Focused on lightweight and inexpensive materials.
Hard plastic/rough texture smart tag enclosure
Flexible silicone/ rubber soft texture (Orange Blaze Finish)
Hard ABS plastic/rough texture (Black Finish)
Soli Smart tag technology (App device)
SMART TAG TECHNOLOGY
Soli utilizes a miniature radar chip operating at 60GHz to capture fine hand gestures with sub-millimeter precision. Unlike camera-based systems, Soli functions effectively in various lighting conditions and can detect motion through materials. It processes motion data at high speeds, allowing for intuitive and responsive user interactions
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PACKAGING DESIGN
FlexGuard comes in a unique slide-out package that includes both the left and right shin guards, a Smart Tag, and an instruction booklet to help you set up and start playing right away.
PRODUCT INSTRUCTIONS
Step-by-step instructions for putting on your Flexguard shin guards—gear up with confidence and protection!
FLEXGUARD MOBILE APP
The final design of the Marathon Barbershop app is thoughtfully crafted to meet the needs of clients, providing a seamless and welcoming experience that makes them feel comfortable and understood.
Setting up profile: Download the FlexApp to set up your profile and start tracking your gameplay. Capture data, analyze your performance, and gain valuable statistics to improve on the field.
Unboxing shin guards: Unbox your Flexguard shin guards, tags, and socks. Place the shin guards on both shins, attaching the smart tag to your kicking leg and the symmetry tag to the other leg.
Inserting and connecting tags: Insert the tags into the shin guards, then go back to the app to sync and check the battery status.
Player profile: The player information section tracks your statistics and personal details.
Reviewing data after playing: It provides real-time data on ball speed, total distance traveled, top running speed, kick count, explosiveness, and shin guard impacts, helping you understand your performance on the field.
Total kick count: While wearing the tag during a soccer game, it will track the number of times you kick the ball.
Total shin guard hits: Impacts to the shin guard will be detected based on the number of hits, and later provide detailed data on the frequency and intensity of those impacts.
Top running speed: It tracks your top speed and allows you to share your results with others, so you can compete and see who’s the fastest on the app.
Play and compete with other players: Other players can set soccer game schedules on the app and create a leaderboard to share their data, allowing everyone to compete and see who’s the best.
FINAL PRODUCT IN-CONTEXT
The final Flexguard design features lightweight material, built-in shock absorption, and an easy-to-wear design for maximum comfort and protection.
Outcome
Impact:
The Flexguard shin guard provides a significant impact on its users by offering superior comfort, reliable shin protection, and easy maintenance. Its ergonomic design allows it to slide effortlessly onto the legs, while the washable materials make post-game cleaning simple and convenient.
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Takeaways:
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Comfort: Users find the FlexGuard shin guard highly comfortable, as it uses lightweight, ergonomic materials that fit well and don’t cause discomfort during long hours of play.
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Protection: It offers reliable protection for the shin, effectively absorbing impact during high-intensity moments, reducing the risk of bruises and injuries.
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Ease of Use: The design allows players to easily slide the shin guard onto their legs, with adjustable straps ensuring a secure and snug fit.
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Washability: The materials used are easy to clean, allowing for quick maintenance after each game, keeping the shin guards fresh and ready for the next use.
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Durability: Despite being lightweight, the FlexGuard is durable and can withstand frequent contact and intense movement without losing its protective qualities.
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User Experience: Athletes appreciate how the FlexGuard stays in place during play and provides the flexibility they need to move freely, enhancing their performance.