Pickleball paddle.
“design an affordable pickleball paddle alternative, moving away from a fibreglass structure and instead using polypropylene.”
This pickleball paddle is currently being manufactured, sold, and is receiving 5 star reviews from customers.
measure twice, cut once.
As this brief was based around moving away from traditional materials I thought it was important to try and create a familiar playing experience with this design. I believed it was important to not to create too much of a gap between current products to this updated version so that it would fit well within the market.
To achieve this, I initially created versions which would replicate the thickness of traditional paddles by creating two, hollow halves. However after testing this concept with 3D printed prototypes it was discovered that this would create dead spots and led to an nonfunctional product.
I concluded that this was caused by the paddle being hollow, and redeveloped the design to focus more on functionality than familiarity.
made for pros, priced for amateurs.
After further development and prototypes I had created a version which ticked all the boxes. This paddle has been created without dead spots and used mathematical and engineering principles to adjust the centre of gravity to create a perfect balance in the hand. Not only this, but the paddle follows USAPA regulations, meaning you can use this paddle as an amateur to keep active, or as a pro in competitions.
thoughtful details.
As this paddle is made in the UK I wanted to highlight this feature within the design in a subtle way. By embedding the Union Jack into the handle it makes the paddle instantly recognisable whilst reducing the weight of the paddle and maintaining its strength.
GOT IT HANDLED.
As different people have different preferences and playing styles, I wanted to make the paddle as flexible for you as possible and allow you adapt it to how you want to use it. By adding specific areas to the handle which allows you to attach on a grip, it allows full flexibility and personalisation to make the paddle truly yours, all whilst improving functionality
sustainability.
This paddle has been manufactured using up to 95% recycled plastic. Not only that, but as it has been created as a single part it can be re recycled at the end of its life, creating a circular economy.
designed to be made.
As this was a live brief and the paddle was going into production it was vital that I used my experience designing products for manufacture to ensure it was suitable for production.