Impact Driver
A reimagined Festool TID specifically improving users’ posture for overhead work.
Project Length - 12 weeks
Design Goals
Fix users posture when holding an impact driver above the head and fix crowded hand placements on the drill.
The goal posture
Learning Outcomes
This project reinforced my love for the user-centered design process. This experience taught me how crucial it is to consistently ground every design decision in the needs and perspectives of the user.
Talking with user
Notable Quotes
Nick Armstrong | Professional Renovator |
- “I’m constantly holding my impact driver above my head for work.”
- “I have back pains from poor posture when working above my head.”
- “My driver is not comfortable when I use two hands.”
shoulder pain | crowded hands | wrist pains
Problem Area
The posture problem
Current impact drivers don’t offer two-handed grips for users, resulting in overstraining one shoulder. When users put two hands on the driver, posture becomes hunched and rounded.
Initial Ideation
Further Ideation
CNC Prototypes
CNC prototypes allowed me to quickly finesse the form of my driver so that it feels best in both hands.
CMF Studies
Use of Ai
Giving AI my sketches to quickly render and ideate on different CMF.
Importance of CMF
When users see a new product, they rely on CMF to tell them how to use it. I pushed for a CMF that conveyed how to hold my product.
Final Design
Key Shot + Photoshop render
Direction Switch Redesign
Designing the switch to move forward and back for a more intuitive change.
Users Posture Design Fix
By rounding the drivers back and adding a contour line at the top, users are encouraged to hold the driver in a way that promotes good posture.
Key Shot + Nano Banana render
