INSPIRATION
With the Velocis already on its way to production - The circuit took most of its visual identity from that slightly more expensive product. With the Velocis taking the Halo price point, the Circuit was designed to be more approachable. Designed to be everyone's helmet that didn't want a high end carbon race helmet. While the main design intent was pulled from the Velocis, we were able to make it its own with subtle tweaks to not only shell number, but slight surface changes and details that showed it was in the family but not a direct rip from the Velocis. The consumer goods and auto industry were taken as inspiration with subtle scalloped surfaces that; while simple in visual appearance are quite difficult to perfect. These surface changes allowed for smoother lines rather than the rough / aggressive lines of the Velocis.
3 - INITIAL CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
SKETCHING AND CONCEPTING
With the research portion complete on the Velocis / Circuit efforts - time was taken to create a visual identity that followed its halo predecessor but offered a unique approach to solving surfacing opportunities. Sketching was broken into 2 phases - Initial concept ( general form ) and refined surfacing ( detailing ), before it went into CAD. General 20 foot view was solidified and stepping closer each time we refined the shape to offer the customer hidden detail that would be noticed while riding and from a POP perspective.
INITIAL CONCEPT
Above Image - An example of a round 2 sketch phase - front details are refined and options are offered for the direction, ranging from 'mild to wild' I always like to push what our form language will "allow" and save those wild sketches for later form development as we progress product line shapes.
Below Image - Round 2 concept review - This is the first project ever to have graphics done this early in the process. It is also the first time we had jumped 2 rounds of sketching ( saving over 3 months ).
Left to right - Best in class products, rough CAD options ( focusing on the length of the top surface ), Concept A + B direction, Graphic and branding concepts.
4 - CAD DEVELOPMENT
3D DEVELOPEMNT
CAD development starts as a rough underlay, getting needed dimensions and thicknesses accounted for before surfacing gets too far down the road. With each CAD refinement, we were able to not only refine the overall 'biscuit' shape, but add design details that sped up the design process as we worked. After my surface models cleared the engineering clearances, it became a solid body and we printed the concept and pushed forward with detail refinement and then to vendor review.
MODEL MAKING
While CAD renderings are fantastic for digital reviews, and offer massive amounts of assistance when talking about graphics, branding and overall shape. I still print and paint all my models when we are further in the review process. This is an example of a mid process review model - it is a 3D printed helmet shape with a PC shell pulled over top of it. The ability to place a helmet concept on a human head is probably the most important advantage of printing often. Since these products are more fashion ( they live on and off the bike with a human form ) the interaction between head and product is critical.
4 - CAD DEVELOPMENT
FINAL FORM
After developing a set of sketches and surfaces that could be moved forward - we worked on developing form in CAD. Using a combination of Rhino and Solidworks - we developed and printed 4 concepts that progressed and refined the design intent of the product. The following images are the final design intent that is currently going into production.
DETAILS
GRAPHICS AND BRANDING RECOMENDATIONS
While developing the final form, the group worked closely with the graphics team to identify key areas for branding and logo placement. This followed a form trend that Bontrager had decided to place all branding on sub surfaces of the helmet. While designing I was able to carry over elements from the Velocis helmet . This meant the branding was consistent across the line and the road helmets were uniform.
4 - CAD DEVELOPMENT
FAMILY FORM LANGUAGE
The following images are a example of form language development as a trickle down - Both the Velocis and the Circuit are apart of the new generation of Bontrager road helmets. With the Velocis at $200 price point and the Circuit at $150. Both have the same form language but appeal to two very different customers and utilize very different technologies.
