POLAR M450

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

M450 is priced at the low end, yet feature-wise it supersedes mid-range offerings by a long shot, nearly competing with the higher-end devices.

Key design drivers were: usability, functionality and modern recognisable brand look with the tight price point.

Price determined the available electronics and the materials of the device. What a challenge for the designer! :)

First I focused on the size and functionality of the device. Device must be light and compact, large enough to be easy to use while cycling, especially when wearing gloves. The functionality of the product is supported with the sharp screen with virtually no visible reflections. Screen can be easily read both in direct sunlight and in shade. In addition, M450 has a very slight upwards angle, which tilts the screen towards you.

I designed the original button sizes, layout and interactions to support easy usability when cycling, but unfortunately the decided changes on the project weakened the original plan. That was a big loss to the usability, but sometimes project work requires big compromises.

THE CHALLENGE:

Polar has certain challenges in the cycling computer markets, specially in the low price point products.

Low end product was also a large challenge for the designers, because it strongly limited material and technical options. Within strict prize and size constraints, I had to be able to create modern looking design.

APPROACH:

Because the price point was causing big limitations, we need to find out different kind of approach. We explored e.g. safety issues in the cycling and I focused to solve usability of the product during cycling and specially when wearing gloves. I created first design sketches with close co-working the engineers to found out the shape & size of the product and made first 3D models.

After shape and size definition, I focused to do the material and colour design. I explored with engineers suitable manufacturing methods which met given objectives, after that I finished more detailed 3D modelling.

Whole project was close operation with different kind of engineers, so that all targeted things were achieved. At the final phase we did several development rounds for the design and manufacturing. Materials, functionality and ergonomic of the product was also tested by the real end users.

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