Samples

Design For Consumers

Cool paintbrushes, great-looking cosmetic accessories, fun pens, heavy duty work gloves, and efficacious toothbrushes are just some of the consumer products that we designed which have changed markets and increased revenues & shareholder value. Make a connection with your customer by putting our innovative consumer research, product design services, consumer product development and ergonomic product design expertise to work to develop your best consumer product designs. To see our consumer case studies up-close, click on a specific product to the left.

Hamilton Beach®, GrillStation™

The GrillStation™ 5-Burner Gas Grill is designed for everyone from the occasional griller, to the adventurous foodie, to the neighborhood grill-master.

The GrillStation™ aesthetic blends contemporary lines with a classic craftsman flair that incorporates innovative features including modular cooking baskets and a fully-controllable SmokeStation™, allowing the user to enjoy the perfect grilling experience.

A. The SmokeStation™ pull-out tray allow consumers to add wood chips to create their perfect flavor.

B. Culinary Baskets provide options for steaming vegetables, infusing marinade flavors and accommodating beer can chickens.

C. Nested cook station shields flame from the wind.

Vision Grills, Portable Kamado Classic P.Series

This versatile grill packs a ton of flavor into a small footprint. This mini version of the Professional C.Series provides the same great taste while tailgating, camping, or anywhere else you want to be!

A. Top calibrated draft vent provides superior temperature control.

B. Versatile and portable size provides 100 square inches of cooking surface.

C. Stainless steel calibrated bottom vent with spark screen allows for transition from searing to smoking temperatures in minutes.

Vision Grills, Kamado Professional C.Series – 2013 Model

Through improvements in design and function, Vision Grills has created award-winning features that take the hassle out of grilling with charcoal and allows for even and precise smoking, baking, searing and grilling!

A. Top calibrated draft vent provides superior temperature control.

B. Boasts high-quality stainless steel and heavy duty ceramic construction.

C. ProZone™ area includes an easy access electric starter port, no-mess ash cleanout drawer, and dual calibrated cooking dials with safety spark screens.

AnheuserBusch-InBev, Draftmark™

Draftmark Tap System™ is a high-end, affordable tap system that offers beer drinkers a true draught beer experience in the comfort of their own home.

This draught system allows the host to provide an assortment of draught choices while guests can create their own perfect pour by choosing their own glass, mastering the proper draught pour, and controlling their beer portion and consumption.

A. Handle design creates tap experience in your own home.

B. Fridge-friendly design allows for convenient storage.

C. “Ski boot” technology enables easy installation of refill keg and convenient recyclable disposal of old keg.

Yurbuds, Focus Pro Earloops with 3-Button Control Dry Mic

Yurbuds Focus Pro Earloops with 3-Button Control Dry Mic combines the patented Twist Lock™ earbud enhancer technology with the extra peace of mind offered by the comfortable and secure earloops. The 3-Button Dry Mic allows for convenient navigation of music and hands-free phone calls.

A. Yurbuds’ ergonomically-designed Twist Lock™ technology is a medical grade silicone enhancer for the earbud that is available in personalized sizes designed to fit a wide range of ear sizes and shapes. Not only does this technology reduce pain associated with traditional earbuds and prevent them from falling out during event the most rigorous activities, but the enhancers’ sound tunnel creates exceptional sound quality with clinically proven acoustics for a deeper, richer sound.

B. Like the enhancers, the behind-the-ear earloops are created from soft, comfortable silicone that are both sweat and water resistant. The earloops’ flexibility allows for a secure wrap around the ear instead of hanging heavily.

C. The 3-button control dry mic allows the user convenient navigation of music on the iPhone® or iPod® and hands-free phone calls on the iPhone®. The top & bottom button increase & decrease volume, respectively. With one click, the user can start or stop a song, and answer or hang up a phone call. Two clicks will advance the listener to the next song. Three clicks of the center button will return the user to the beginning of a song.

Revlon, 2011/2012 Innovation Beauty Tools

The Revlon 2011/2012 Innovation Tools are a breakthrough line of beauty tools that provide new functionality and ergonomics to traditional beauty tools.

The designs of the Easy Smooth Callus Shaver with Catcher, What a Catch™ Toenail Clip with Catcher, and Spotlight Eyelash Curler have revolutionized previous designs to create a fresh, bold aesthetic with new features, resulting in a more effective beauty tool experience. The three tools are unified by a consistent design language, established by Metaphase in 2011, which consists of a signature diamond texture, smooth feminine form, and Revlon’s iconic red color.

A. The Easy Smooth Callus Shaver with Catcher takes the fear out of removing calluses with the new ergonomic handle designed to ensure accuracy and comfort. The stainless steel precision micro-files replaced the single, large razor blade on the previous shaver. Behind the precision micro-files is the catcher which eliminates messes left from callus shavings, enabling easy and convenient disposal.

B. The Spotlight Eyelash Curler with LED Technology incorporates an ergonomic, non-slip grip texture along with a lighted head design which minimizes shadows and allows for a clear view to prevent pinching of the eyelid. The red, diamond-shaped button dominates the face of the tool and easily activates the LED light. The LED stays lit until curling is complete and is then deactivated by pressing the button. The double ridge bar helps to create a smooth, lasting curl.

C. What a Catch™ Nail Clipper with Catcher provides a mess-free solution to nail clipping. The red, non-slip grip with diamond texture allows for precise and controlled clipping, while the branding is prominently embossed on both the top of the handle and the bottom of the clippings catcher. The catcher is indented just below the clipping blades to allow for necessary leverage and nail clearance. Once grooming is complete, nail clippings are easily disposed by holding the clipper handle and sliding off the catcher.

Papermate, Biodegradable Writing Instruments

Metaphase’s breakthrough design of the Biodegradable pen for PaperMate represents the first biodegradable, environmentally-friendly writing instrument.

Metaphase’s expert knowledge in handheld products, ergonomics & design combines to make this pen feel good in both your heart and your hand! The majority of the pens’ components are made of corn sugar, an annually renewable resource that naturally decomposes in soil or your home compost pile.

A. Ergonomic comfort grip was scaled to fit 5th to 95th percentile fingers.

B. The pen clip allows users to quickly slip the pen securely into a pocket without catching or folding pocket fabric.

Yurtopia, Yurbud Earbud Enhancers

Yurbuds™ are personally-sized earbud enhancers that work in conjunction with your favorite earbuds. Yurbuds™ won’t fall out, are comfortable for hours, and provide crystal clear sound quality.

A. Yurbuds channel sound into the ear for extended listening at lower volumes.

B. Stay-In Treads prevent Yurbuds from falling out, even during the most vigorous activities.

C. Crus relief is specifically designed to avoid key pain areas and provide comfort over long periods. Yurbuds™ provide users with an affordable and comfortable solution for your earbuds, so you can truly enjoy your iPod, Bluetooth or any other mobile player device.

Renovo, Laptop Concepts

Demonstrating just how captivating ergonomics can be, Metaphase designed the Optimus and Onyx advanced concepts for notebook computing.

Inventive and inspirational, the concepts exploit the power of ergonomics in the future of laptop designs featuring raised displays for improved neck posture, re-positioned keyboards for improved arm posture & reduced tissue compression, and increased display areas for reduced paging or scrolling.

A. The Optimus concept is sleek and versatile. It features a dual touchscreen display that operates as a traditional laptop screen or opens into two side-by-side screens operated by a wireless keyboard, which slides out from the body.

B. The Onyx concept is smooth and luxurious. It features an upward-sliding screen exposing a touchscreen multimedia interface, a laser-etched keyboard with raised soft gel letters, and high-end leather accents.

Revlon, Slant-Tip Platinum Tweezer

Metaphase conducted extensive, in-depth research and interviews with high-end salons, beauty experts, and luxury day spas, all over New York City.

We talked with beauty experts, eyebrow experts, and consumers, asking them about what the “perfect tweezer” would feel like, and what they really wanted in a tweezer. Every detail of the design of “The Slant Tip Platinum Tweezer” was based on extensive, in-depth ergonomic research. It provides flawless fingertip control, the perfect amount of squeeze force, and the best tip size and shape. Whether tweezing fine eyebrow hairs or splinters, tweezing is achieved perfectly with the “The Slant Tip Platinum Tweezer”.

A. The anatomic shaped grips with integral rubber texture accommodate fingernails of all lengths, and provide a secure, comfortable grip for tweezing.

B. The attention to tip shape and anvil size combined with surgical precision allows users to easily and accurately tweeze individual hairs as small as 80-100 microns in diameter with minimal grip force.

Shur-Line, Paintbrushes

Metaphase helped Shur-Line create the First Ergonomically Designed Paintbrushes.

After extensive research with professional and do-it-yourself painters, Metaphase experts in ergonomics and design developed grips that encourage you to paint like a pro. The patented rubberized grip minimizes common stress and strain in the forearm and fingers of painters while offering increased precision and control.

A. An ergonomic tri-lateral pencil grip design places your hand in the best posture for “trimming out”, painting the trim, with ease.

B. Our research also led to the development of an innovative new brush for painting tight spots. Its rubberized “handle-less” form plugs directly into your palm with lateral scoops for your thumb and opposing fingertips, providing controlled painting in all those hard-to-reach places. A stroke of genius!

Solo, Grips

Metaphase brings ergonomics to the dinner table with an ergonomically designed line of disposable dinnerware for Solo.

Solo “Grips” the new ergonomically designed line of disposable dinnerware, defines a new premium category of disposable dinnerware. Based on extensive research on the Ergonomics of Eating©, Metaphase experts combined functionality, performance & aesthetic elegance to create cups, plates and bowls that look & feel like nothing before.

A. The innovative patented ergonomic grip is designed to fit the thumb, and located in positions that are both intuitive & biomechanically perfect.

B. Shapes were designed to optimize structural integrity to eliminate the age-old problem of a plate loaded with food failing, and dumping your meal on the floor.

C. The bold embossed Solo name goes beyond traditional branding techniques by creating a bold and exciting statement that also acts as a texture that gives users a positive grip with less squeeze force.

Johnson & Johnson,
REACH One Ultimate Clean Toothbrush

Johnson & Johnson asked Metaphase to help them innovate by bringing ergonomics and design to a toothbrush built for performance, by bringing together high-tech materials and structures which would enhance comfort, control in the hand, and efficacy in the mouth.

A. The Ergonomic handle, thumb-grip points have been optimized to support expert recommended brushing techniques.

B. Ergonomic flexibility in grip location accommodate different hand sizes and brushing techniques.

C. Ergonomic flexibility in grip zone location accommodate different brushing orientations inside the mouth.

Microsoft, Mouse 2.0

Metaphase worked with Microsoft to design The First Ergonomic Mouse, which set the standard and changed the perception of mouse design.

Metaphase conducted intensive and extensive human performance testing on more than 100 computer users. We measured grip force, ergonomic comfort and anatomic compatibility. Metaphase worked with Microsoft designers to develop the most successful mouse in history.

A. The raised back conforms to palm and supports some weight of the upper extremity, minimizing stress.

B. The asymmetric form works equally well for both left- and right-handed users.

C. Mouse scale and form optimize thumb-fingertip opposition & simultaneous key clicks throughout a routine day of use.

Bayer, Microlet & Breeze Meter

Metaphase set new standards in 1999 with the revolutionary design of Bayer’s “Microlet” lancing device.

It allows better control and a virtually painless stick. The “Microlet”TM was a financial success for Bayer increasing revenues 258% and receiving a prestigious DESIGN of the DECADE award. This success was matched with the introduction of the new “Ascensia Breeze”TM ergonomic blood glucose meter which has increased sales of disposables more than 50% per month.

A. Fingertip control for lance depth allows users to ease the pain with precision.

B. One-touch start, large display, and ergonomic controls & grip allow diabetic hands to easily grasp, hold, and use the meter.