Context

Dig was developed as a lightweight tool for digging catholes in outdoor environments - an action that is brief, forceful, and often uncomfortable. The project focused on how form and material could reduce effort while maintaining durability in a compact tool.

The question was how to make a necessary task more efficient without adding weight or complexity.

Insight

Efficiency matters most when tasks are uncomfortable. Thoughtful ergonomics and material choice can significantly reduce effort, even in brief moments of use.

Status

Industrial design for humangear. In production

Process

The form began with force flow. Early studies explored how a continuous transition from handle to scoop could distribute pressure through the hand and into the ground without creating stress points.

A hollow handle was introduced to reduce weight while preserving structural strength. Material selection was refined through testing: a nylon body for durability and stiffness, paired with a rubber end cap to disperse pressure during pushing and digging.

Prototypes were evaluated through repeated use, emphasizing short, high-force interactions rather than extended operation.

Resolution

Dig resolves grip, structure, and scoop into a single, continuous form. The result is a compact, durable tool that minimizes strain through material logic (Nylon handle, rubber end cap) and geometry - making an unpleasant task more manageable through design.