Product Designer
Project Essentia
TEAM
TIMELINE
SKILLS
2023 / PRODUCT DESIGN
Mosquitoes suck - literally! They not only disrupt summer fun and outdoor activities but also transmit diseases, making them a growing concern as climate change expands their increasing population and geographical spread. Current mosquito protection products often harm the environment, contribute to global warming, and may not suit all users due to sensitivities, allergies, or cost. This project seeks to reduce the negative impact of mosquito protection on both people and the planet.
BLISMA is an eco-friendly, adaptable mosquito protection accessory using essential oils. The biodegradable pellet diffuses the oils to mask the user’s scent, providing up to 15 days of protection. The waterproof and versatile pellet can be clipped, hooked, or hung in various ways and repurposed as a peg or bag clip once used. The pellet can be worn alone or with a band made from 100% recycled nylon, featuring "military-grade" Velcro for a secure, durable fit. Available in various colours for both kids and adults, BLISMA combines functionality with sustainability.
Investigating the Brief
DISCOVER
In collaboration with the School of Chemical Formulation Design, this project was completed for the client, Optica Life Accessories. The aim was to develop a wearable accessory using encapsulation technology to protect against mosquitoes.
Encapsulation is a chemical process that enhances the effectiveness of essential oils by enclosing them within a membrane. This process regulates the release of the oils, extending their shelf life and protection duration. The essential oils diffuse into the environment, masking the user's scent from mosquitoes to prevent them from being located. The provided brief outlined the development of an accessory to hold the encapsulated essential oils, and a packaging design to showcase the product.
Literature Review
DISCOVER
Secondary resources were analysed to investigate mosquito behaviour and spray repellents. Spray repellents contain the effective chemical DEET associated with adverse reactions ranging from skin rashes to seizures. They also leave skin feeling oily and greasy and wash off when swimming requiring frequent reapplication. Often an aerosol-based product, spray repellents contribute to climate change and increasing mosquito populations, as mosquitoes thrive in warm, humid environments.
Market Research
DISCOVER
Disposable Bracelets
Market research revealed that existing repellent bracelets often omit the use of DEET, and are instead dipped inessential oils. Although using a natural alternative to DEET eliminates the risk of seizures, direct skin contact with essential oils may still cause dermal reactions. These bracelets are only effective for two days before they must be disposed of and replaced, further contributing to single-use waste overbearing landfills.
Parakito
Parakito is the only brand of reusable bracelets on the market. Product research and testing revealed three key areas for improvement:
Sustainability
The Parakito band uses raw materials from non-renewable resources (silicone pellet and neoprene band). These materials are non-recyclable and non-biodegradable. The packaging does not use space efficiently, increasing carbon footprint during distribution. The packaging uses an excessive amount of material with the inclusion of unnecessary, single-use plastic.
Reliability
The Parakito band uses Velcro as a connection mechanism. Velcro is unreliable as it is prone to detaching and falling off, especially when users are engaging in vigorous physical activity. Users are also likely to engage with the product in dirty environments, where debris gets stuck in the coarse side of the Velcro and prevents it from working as effectively. As the product is often reused, the Velcro wears out over time from frequent detachment and reattachment.
Affordability
The Parakito band has a bulky design that uses a lot of expensive materials. The six seperate components increase material and assembly costs. The product is significantly more expensive than disposable bracelets at $34.95, with the relative benefits minimal in comparison to the price disparity. The superiority of the product should be improved and emphasised to justify the additional costs.
User Research
DISCOVER
Product reviews for Parakito and other similar products were analysed to find out who was using them, where they were using them, and why they were using them. There is a broad range of users and use environments, from adults and families going on camping and hiking trips to babies needing protection while sleeping at night. Designing for a broad range of users and environments is difficult, but factors such as adjustability and freedom of wearing location will give flexibility to the user and their needs.
Redefining the Brief
DEFINE
Research findings were synthesised into actionable insights using the affinity diagram. From this, a product design specification (PDS) was developed and the initial brief was redefined :
How might we develop a mosquito protection accessory that is more sustainable, reliable, and affordable than the Parakito band?
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Ideation
DEVELOP
After completing some initial ideation sketches, four mood boards were presented along with the sketches to the client to define the product aesthetic they were looking for. The client concluded that the eco and sports mood boards were the most appealing.
Concept Development
DEVELOP
Sketching, prototyping, testing, and CAD were used to develop the three concepts with the most potential. After determining the preferred product aesthetic of the client, concept one was designed with a sporty aesthetic, concept two focused on eco-friendliness, and concept three offered a neutral, subtle integration of the two.
Concept Evaluation
DEVELOP
A SWOT analysis was conducted to assist in the decision-making process between concepts. Each concept was also evaluated against the Product Design Specification (PDS) and presented to the client for feedback. After utilising these three selection techniques, concept three was chosen as the final solution to move forward with.
Concept Refinement
DELIVER
Band Refinement
To refine the band, a series of prototypes were created to experiment with material thickness, comfort, size, manufacturing techniques, and functionality.
Prototype Two
Prototype Three
Prototype Four
Prototype Five
Pellet Refinement
When refining the pellet, the goal was to determine how the encapsulated essential oils would be securely enclosed within the structure during manufacturing. The final design utilises living hinges and annular snap fits in a container made from a single piece of biodegradable plastic (PHA). This approach enhances assembly efficiency during production and reduces moulding and manufacturing costs.
Final Design
DELIVER
BLISMA is a natural, eco-friendly, and adaptable mosquito protection accessory that harnesses the power of essential oils. The scent of the essential oils diffuses from a biodegradable pellet, effectively masking the user's scent from mosquitoes. This versatile pellet can be clipped, hooked, or hung in various ways, allowing for flexible wearing options. The essential oils provide up to 15 days of protection and are waterproof, making it convenient for swimming and sweating. Once the pellet's efficacy has expired, it can be repurposed as a peg or bag clip, extending the product's lifespan and enhancing its overall value and versatility.It also plays a crucial role in the adjustment and attachment mechanism of the accompanying band, reducing both assembly costs and the number of parts. Since the pellet is regularly replaced, it eliminates the risk of rendering the band unwearable if it breaks, as parts are easily replaceable.
The band is made from 100% recycled nylon, ensuring durability and recyclability. The HTH705 hook and loop fasteners provide a “military-grade” closure, offering strength, durability, anti-linting properties, and a streamlined fit. The design is simple and adaptable, making it suitable for a range of colours and patterns to appeal to diverse users.
Overall, BLISMA products employ circular design principals to eliminate harmful impacts on the environment, and provide a convenient, natural, and cost effective solution to combat mosquitoes and the harmful impacts of other protection methods.
Packaging Design
DELIVER
The client also requested packaging design and a display stand for the products. Since essential oils can be used for other applications, such as nausea, anxiety, and sleep, packaging designs for these additional uses were proposed to expand the product line. A mock-up of the proposed design was created, followed by a prototype.
Each pellet is individually wrapped to preserve the efficacy of the essential oils. The wrapper is made from recycled paper coated with biodegradable plastic (PLA), providing eco-friendly packaging without the use of single-use plastics.
