Fiskars SoftGrab — a student concept for a reaching aid

This product design assignment asked us to rethink the grabber: a tool used to reach and pick up objects. The brief called for a mechanically functional prototype and presentation material demonstrating an improvement in areas such as ergonomics, grip, sustainability or appearance.

2017
Product design course assignment | My role: Concept development, 3D modeling, prototyping and rendering
In collaboration with Jessica Falck
Fiskars SoftGrab reaching aid student concept, shown in a product rendering

The concept in action

Cutaway rendering of the SoftGrab handle mechanism
Concept rendering of the SoftGrab gripping tip

Finding the concept in nature

We began with research, mood boards and a range of initial ideas. I focused on how a user could pick up an object without bending down, then bring it closer with less effort.

An unfolding fern, an inspiration for the curling grip

A sketch inspired by an unfolding fern led to another reference: an octopus tentacle. Its curling motion became the starting point for exploring a different way to grip and retrieve objects.

Design development

Prototype details

Prototype handle opened to show its internal mechanism
Close-up of the internal mechanism in the prototype handle
The assembled black prototype handle viewed from the side
The assembled prototype handle and shaft
Close-up of the pink prototype gripping tip
The prototype gripping tip attached to the shaft
↑Back to Top