Lab-Aids, Math Kit

 

Services

• Graphic Design: Components

• Content Creation: Product Photography

• Industrial Design: Mockups & Prototypes, 3D Modeling & Rendering

• Product Development: Sourcing & Development

• Manufacturing: Production Management

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The Challenge

An existing client requested our help creating the components for a math kit to add to their extensive offering of curriculum and other supplementary programs that help students better understand science concepts through direct experience.

 

• This project began with just a butter paper graph notepad and transformed into sourcing and producing seven different items as part of a math accessories kit:
   

1. A translucent sticky notepad with graph design (butter paper)

2. Angled ruler

3. Protractor

4. Standard ruler

5. Clear spinner (for placing on graph paper, etc.)

6. Mug token (a visual learning tool used to teach the idea of geometric similarity)

7. Polystrips (manipulative plastic strips pieced together with fasteners to create polygons)

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• The client was looking for us to design a better solution for interlocking the polystrips. They wanted a “fastener" product strong enough to withstand extensive manipulation but pliable enough for middle-schoolers’ hands to punch through the polystrips’ holes.
   

All items required precise measurements as these would be used with real-life mathematical application in classrooms.

 

The Solution

Our team drew on years of expertise to design and create the graphics for all of the components. We didn’t just use pre-existing shelf versions of these tools, we created them from scratch, using a long-time manufacturing partner for production. After many iterations of 3D modeling and video calls around the clock to compare samples with the factory, we produced all seven components to the client’s standards. We knew what level of excellence we were looking for and worked without compromise until we got the samples and final product to the quality we expected. 

 

• For consistency and ease of interaction, we made all plastic pieces the same thickness. Quality control checks identified scratches on initial sample shipment from the factory. Adding a thin, peel-off protective layer ensures top quality upon arrival. 
   

• We designed proprietary rubber snap-together fasteners for the polystrips. (They also work with the protractor!) This process entailed creating 3D printouts of the fasteners and testing the tolerances to keep the polystrips taut for manipulation. With our proprietary fasteners, the polystrips can be used to create angles without having to be flat on a piece of paper.
   

• The fastener measurements were inconsistent on the initial samples from the factory, but through identifying issues, making changes, and exercising a top focus on quality control, the measurements on subsequent samples and the final products were precise.  

 

“Working with snap-together products is a unique challenge. It’s not just one product; it’s showing that we can put parts together and understand those tolerances and make sure everything works appropriately.” – Jeremiah, Product Design & Development Manager

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With the additional challenge of creating products for real-life applications in math classrooms, we’re thrilled with the accuracy and precision of these seven components. We can’t wait for middle schoolers to get their hands on these!