Crescent Shockforce
Crescent Shockforce
Crescent Shockforce
A professional tape measure designed around grip, control, and durability for demanding jobsite work.
A professional tape measure designed around grip, control, and durability for demanding jobsite work.
A professional tape measure designed around grip, control, and durability for demanding jobsite work.
Industrial Design
Human-Factors Design
Physical Interaction
I led the industrial design of Shockforce as part of Crescent's three-series tape measure lineup. I established the ergonomic direction through research, developed an asymmetric housing through prototyping, and worked with Product Management and Engineering to bring the design into production.
I led the industrial design of Shockforce as part of Crescent's three-series tape measure lineup. I established the ergonomic direction through research, developed an asymmetric housing through prototyping, and worked with Product Management and Engineering to bring the design into production.
Role:
Lead Industrial Designer
Duration:
5 months // 2023 - 2024
Team:
Product Management + Engineering
Context:
Apex Tool Group
Role:
Lead Industrial Designer
Team:
Product Management + Engineering
Duration:
5 months // 2023 - 2024
Context:
Apex Tool Group
// The Problem
A Slim Case Is Not Always a Comfortable One
Construction professionals handle tape measures repeatedly throughout the day. Slim housings are convenient to carry, but their sharper edges can make them less comfortable to grip. A rounder case often comes with added bulk.
Conventional tape measures can create a tradeoff between compactness and grip comfort.
// The Problem
A Slim Case Is Not Always a Comfortable One
Construction professionals handle tape measures repeatedly throughout the day. Slim housings are convenient to carry, but their sharper edges can make them less comfortable to grip. A rounder case often comes with added bulk.
Conventional tape measures can create a tradeoff between compactness and grip comfort.
// The Problem
A Slim Case Is Not Always a Comfortable One
Construction professionals handle tape measures repeatedly throughout the day. Slim housings are convenient to carry, but their sharper edges can make them less comfortable to grip. A rounder case often comes with added bulk.
Conventional tape measures can create a tradeoff between compactness and grip comfort.
// The Objective
Improve Grip Without Adding Width
Design a more comfortable housing without increasing its width or compromising mechanical and durability requirements.
A rounder gripping surface, without increasing housing width.
// The Objective
Improve Grip Without Adding Width
Design a more comfortable housing without increasing its width or compromising mechanical and durability requirements.
A rounder gripping surface, without increasing housing width.
// The Objective
Improve Grip Without Adding Width
Design a more comfortable housing without increasing its width or compromising mechanical and durability requirements.
A rounder gripping surface, without increasing housing width.
// The Result
Designed for Grip, Control, and Durability
The asymmetric housing design was adopted across all three Crescent tape measure series, giving Shockforce a compact foundation for its high-durability construction.
// The Result
Designed for Grip, Control, and Durability
The asymmetric housing design was adopted across all three Crescent tape measure series, giving Shockforce a compact foundation for its high-durability construction.
// The Result
Designed for Grip, Control, and Durability
The asymmetric housing design was adopted across all three Crescent tape measure series, giving Shockforce a compact foundation for its high-durability construction.
A Rounder Grip Without a Wider Case
The asymmetric housing provides a more rounded gripping surface while maintaining the overall case width.
Asymmetric construction enables a larger edge radius without increasing width.
A Rounder Grip Without a Wider Case
The asymmetric housing provides a more rounded gripping surface while maintaining the overall case width.
Asymmetric construction enables a larger edge radius without increasing width.
A Rounder Grip Without a Wider Case
The asymmetric housing provides a more rounded gripping surface while maintaining the overall case width.
Asymmetric construction enables a larger edge radius without increasing width.
Protection Where It Matters
Targeted overmold and metal guard rails protect vulnerable areas of the case. The production Shockforce survived Crescent's 120-foot drop test.
Overmold and metal guards reinforce areas exposed to impact.
Protection Where It Matters
Targeted overmold and metal guard rails protect vulnerable areas of the case. The production Shockforce survived Crescent's 120-foot drop test.
Overmold and metal guards reinforce areas exposed to impact.
Protection Where It Matters
Targeted overmold and metal guard rails protect vulnerable areas of the case. The production Shockforce survived Crescent's 120-foot drop test.
Overmold and metal guards reinforce areas exposed to impact.
Readable Measurements at a Glance
The NITE EYE blade uses enlarged, high-contrast markings designed for easier reading. I developed the blade graphics and product labels to improve visual hierarchy and maintain a consistent identity.
High-contrast markings improve the visual hierarchy of measurements.
Readable Measurements at a Glance
The NITE EYE blade uses enlarged, high-contrast markings designed for easier reading. I developed the blade graphics and product labels to improve visual hierarchy and maintain a consistent identity.
High-contrast markings improve the visual hierarchy of measurements.
Readable Measurements at a Glance
Help coordinators draft messages, identify follow-ups, and handle routine communication while keeping them in control.
High-contrast markings improve the visual hierarchy of measurements.
// The Impact
Strong Market Performance After Launch
Through 25 interviews with construction professionals and desk research, we identified four priorities: ergonomics, usability, durability, and readability. These became the design criteria guiding decisions across the lineup.
The three-series lineup launched at Lowe's in Q2 2025.
Strong Market Performance After Launch
Through 25 interviews with construction professionals and desk research, we identified four priorities: ergonomics, usability, durability, and readability. These became the design criteria guiding decisions across the lineup.
The three-series lineup launched at Lowe's in Q2 2025.
Strong Market Performance After Launch
Help coordinators draft messages, identify follow-ups, and handle routine communication while keeping them in control.
The three-series lineup launched at Lowe's in Q2 2025.
// The Research
Making Ergonomics a Design Priority
The brief called for a slim, durable tape measure. I wanted to understand whether those priorities reflected what professionals needed from a tool they used throughout the day.
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// The Research
Making Ergonomics a Design Priority
The brief called for a slim, durable tape measure. I wanted to understand whether those priorities reflected what professionals needed from a tool they used throughout the day.
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// The Research
Making Ergonomics a Design Priority
The brief called for a slim, durable tape measure. I wanted to understand whether those priorities reflected what professionals needed from a tool they used throughout the day.
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// User Research
Understanding What Professionals Value
Through 25 interviews with construction professionals and desk research, we identified four priorities: ergonomics, usability, durability, and readability. These became the design criteria guiding decisions across the lineup.
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// User Research
Understanding What Professionals Value
Through 25 interviews with construction professionals and desk research, we identified four priorities: ergonomics, usability, durability, and readability. These became the design criteria guiding decisions across the lineup.
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// User Research
Understanding What Professionals Value
Live events move quickly. Coordinators must make time-sensitive decisions, respond to unexpected changes, and keep multiple people aligned - often while juggling different communication tools in noisy environments.
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// Human-Factor Research
Studying How the Case Fits the Hand
I compared anthropometric data with existing tape measures, focusing on finger placement, case width, and edge radius to identify opportunities for a more comfortable grip.
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// Human-Factor Research
Studying How the Case Fits the Hand
I compared anthropometric data with existing tape measures, focusing on finger placement, case width, and edge radius to identify opportunities for a more comfortable grip.
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// Human-Factor Research
Studying How the Case Fits the Hand
Live events move quickly. Coordinators must make time-sensitive decisions, respond to unexpected changes, and keep multiple people aligned - often while juggling different communication tools in noisy environments.
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// Competitive Research
Turning Research Into an Ergonomic Benchmark
I evaluated 22 competing tape measures against anthropometric references, identifying useful housing dimensions and hand-contact features. These findings became a shared ergonomic benchmark for Design, Engineering, and Product Management.
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// Competitive Research
Turning Research Into an Ergonomic Benchmark
I evaluated 22 competing tape measures against anthropometric references, identifying useful housing dimensions and hand-contact features. These findings became a shared ergonomic benchmark for Design, Engineering, and Product Management.
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// Competitive Research
Turning Research Into an Ergonomic Benchmark
Live events move quickly. Coordinators must make time-sensitive decisions, respond to unexpected changes, and keep multiple people aligned - often while juggling different communication tools in noisy environments.
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// The Design Process
Rethinking the Housing From the Inside Out
The ergonomic benchmark pointed toward a rounder housing, but conventional case construction limited how far I could push the design. I needed to understand where the constraints came from before finding another solution.
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// The Design Process
Rethinking the Housing From the Inside Out
The ergonomic benchmark pointed toward a rounder housing, but conventional case construction limited how far I could push the design. I needed to understand where the constraints came from before finding another solution.
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// The Design Process
Rethinking the Housing From the Inside Out
The ergonomic benchmark pointed toward a rounder housing, but conventional case construction limited how far I could push the design. I needed to understand where the constraints came from before finding another solution.
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Understanding the Mechanical Constraints
I disassembled five tape measures and worked with Engineering to establish the drum clearance, wall thickness, and assembly requirements that would guide the housing design.
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Understanding the Mechanical Constraints
I disassembled five tape measures and worked with Engineering to establish the drum clearance, wall thickness, and assembly requirements that would guide the housing design.
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Understanding the Mechanical Constraints
I disassembled five tape measures and worked with Engineering to establish the drum clearance, wall thickness, and assembly requirements that would guide the housing design.
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Finding an Opportunity in Conventional Designs
Across 22 competing tape measures, the average housing edge radius was 7.68 mm. Selected competitors used symmetrical shells, revealing an opportunity to explore a more rounded gripping surface.
Conventional Cases Use Symmetrical Shells
Finding an Opportunity in Conventional Designs
Across 22 competing tape measures, the average housing edge radius was 7.68 mm. Selected competitors used symmetrical shells, revealing an opportunity to explore a more rounded gripping surface.
Conventional Cases Use Symmetrical Shells
Finding an Opportunity in Conventional Designs
Across 22 competing tape measures, the average housing edge radius was 7.68 mm. Selected competitors used symmetrical shells, revealing an opportunity to explore a more rounded gripping surface.
Conventional Cases Use Symmetrical Shells
When a Larger Radius Created a New Problem
I explored a 14 mm edge radius, 82% larger than the benchmark average. But within a 50 mm-wide symmetrical housing, the larger radius created an abrupt transition that interrupted the intended grip surface.
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When a Larger Radius Created a New Problem
I explored a 14 mm edge radius, 82% larger than the benchmark average. But within a 50 mm-wide symmetrical housing, the larger radius created an abrupt transition that interrupted the intended grip surface.
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When a Larger Radius Created a New Problem
I explored a 14 mm edge radius, 82% larger than the benchmark average. But within a 50 mm-wide symmetrical housing, the larger radius created an abrupt transition that interrupted the intended grip surface.
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Rethinking the Two-Shell Construction
I questioned whether both shells needed equal depth. By shifting 1.5 mm from the inner shell to the outer shell, I maintained the 14 mm radius and created a more continuous curve without increasing the overall width.
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Rethinking the Two-Shell Construction
I questioned whether both shells needed equal depth. By shifting 1.5 mm from the inner shell to the outer shell, I maintained the 14 mm radius and created a more continuous curve without increasing the overall width.
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Rethinking the Two-Shell Construction
I questioned whether both shells needed equal depth. By shifting 1.5 mm from the inner shell to the outer shell, I maintained the 14 mm radius and created a more continuous curve without increasing the overall width.
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Evaluating the Design in Hand
I built functional prototypes using 3D-printed housings and real internal components. Physical evaluation helped the team align on the asymmetric direction, which was ultimately adopted across all three series.
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Evaluating the Design in Hand
I built functional prototypes using 3D-printed housings and real internal components. Physical evaluation helped the team align on the asymmetric direction, which was ultimately adopted across all three series.
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Evaluating the Design in Hand
I built functional prototypes using 3D-printed housings and real internal components. Physical evaluation helped the team align on the asymmetric direction, which was ultimately adopted across all three series.
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// The Refinement
Refining the Design for Production
The selected design still needed to meet Shockforce's durability, cost, and manufacturing requirements. The challenge was preserving the ergonomic direction as the housing moved toward production.
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// The Refinement
Refining the Design for Production
The selected design still needed to meet Shockforce's durability, cost, and manufacturing requirements. The challenge was preserving the ergonomic direction as the housing moved toward production.
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// The Refinement
Refining the Design for Production
The selected design still needed to meet Shockforce's durability, cost, and manufacturing requirements. The challenge was preserving the ergonomic direction as the housing moved toward production.
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Identifying Where Grip Matters Most
I mapped hand-contact areas on the selected housing to understand where overmold would be most useful for grip and control.
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Identifying Where Grip Matters Most
I mapped hand-contact areas on the selected housing to understand where overmold would be most useful for grip and control.
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Identifying Where Grip Matters Most
I mapped hand-contact areas on the selected housing to understand where overmold would be most useful for grip and control.
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Balancing Grip With Impact Protection
I combined the grip map with Engineering's failure-point analysis to guide material placement, balancing handling comfort, impact protection, and cost.
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Balancing Grip With Impact Protection
I combined the grip map with Engineering's failure-point analysis to guide material placement, balancing handling comfort, impact protection, and cost.
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Balancing Grip With Impact Protection
I combined the grip map with Engineering's failure-point analysis to guide material placement, balancing handling comfort, impact protection, and cost.
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Carrying the Design Through Production
I stayed involved through Engineering and manufacturing reviews, evaluating alpha, beta, and pilot builds to refine the housing and maintain the intended geometry and details through production.
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Carrying the Design Through Production
I stayed involved through Engineering and manufacturing reviews, evaluating alpha, beta, and pilot builds to refine the housing and maintain the intended geometry and details through production.
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Carrying the Design Through Production
I stayed involved through Engineering and manufacturing reviews, evaluating alpha, beta, and pilot builds to refine the housing and maintain the intended geometry and details through production.
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// Reflection
Validating Beyond the Internal Team
This project showed me how understanding physical constraints can lead to a different solution rather than a compromise. While we evaluated prototypes internally, we didn't return to professional users to validate the final grip. I would push for field testing before production, particularly to evaluate repeated use and the handedness tradeoff of the asymmetric housing.
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Validating Beyond the Internal Team
This project showed me how understanding physical constraints can lead to a different solution rather than a compromise. While we evaluated prototypes internally, we didn't return to professional users to validate the final grip. I would push for field testing before production, particularly to evaluate repeated use and the handedness tradeoff of the asymmetric housing.
Image Caption Here
Validating Beyond the Internal Team
This project showed me how understanding physical constraints can lead to a different solution rather than a compromise. While we evaluated prototypes internally, we didn't return to professional users to validate the final grip. I would push for field testing before production, particularly to evaluate repeated use and the handedness tradeoff of the asymmetric housing.
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Have a question or just want to connect? I'd love to hear from you.
Have a question or just want to connect? I'd love to hear from you.
Have a question or just want to connect? I'd love to hear from you.