Introduction
Overview – Flying Pig Designs is a small industrial design and mechanical engineering firm in Lafayette, CO. We specialize in creating medical and consumer devices for solo entrepreneurs and small businesses. From blank page to manufacturing transfer, we work through the product development cycle to provide a fast, efficient path to market.
Problem Statement – Flying Pig Designs is currently located in a co-working space, and our clients have difficulty finding our office once they arrive on our street. We needed a creative way to help our new clients and vendors easily find our facility.
Role, Scope, and Constraints – My roles in this project were as follows: research pig hooves, find vector images, use Adobe Illustrator to create graphic for the laser cutter, purchase chalk, and color the pig hooves so our clients could follow a trail to our office. I also worked with Fred, a mechanical engineer, and Keir, FPD owner and senior mechanical engineer. Their roles were to observe, assist in the transfer of the graphic file onto the laser cutter, choose the appropriate material for the stencil, and cut the hooves graphic into cardstock to create a paper prototype for the stencil. This project took three days to complete and utilized Vecteezy, Adobe Illustrator, our laser cutter, cardstock, and chalk.
The Research
What research did you conduct? We utilized internet searches, Bodystorming, and observation research methods. Our findings allowed us to understand the needs of our clients, find appropriate vectors, and finalize stencil placement.
What did you hope to learn? We wanted to learn why our clients and other visitors experienced wayfinding difficulties at our location. In turn, we learned how to visually guide clients using an original, laser cut stencil. As a result, I hoped to experience and aid in the laser-cutting process.
The Process
What did you do? – After noticing our customers’ issues finding the office, Keir, our industrial designer, Gregg, and I had a brainstorm. We hoped to find ways to improve wayfinding, which refers to the process of understanding one’s physical position and planning/following a route. We mentioned several pig-related visuals, and the pig hooves image proved victorious. Next, I used Bodystorming. This involves physically experiencing a situation to develop new ideas and solve social and spatial design problems. Through this method, I put myself in the clients’ shoes to understand their path from the parking lot to the office. Afterwards, I looked on Amazon for stencils and couldn’t find anything that resembled animal hooves, let alone pig hooves specifically, so Keir suggested we make our own.
Why did you do it? –Our customers needed an easy way to locate our office from outside the building. It also aligned with our branding and fun, creative company culture.
What was your approach? What methodologies were used? – We approached this project using internet searches, bodystorming, observation, and paper prototyping methods. First, we observed our clients’ experiences finding the office and noted their comments. Then I utilized the bodystorming method to mimic our clients’ experience and identify possible solutions. After, I performed internet searches on stencils, pig hoof vectors, and pig hoof anatomy. We all analyzed the usability of different materials for the stencil before creating the graphic file.
Why were these methodologies chosen? We wanted to understand our clients’ pain points through bodystorming and observation. Our paper prototyping methods utilized in-house technology and machinery due to their difficulty to obtain commercially.
The Results
What were the observations? Visitors struggle to see signs when driving by, especially from the left. When clients arrive, our logo is not visible at all from the outside. Patrons avoid parking in the lot directly in front of the office and usually park on the street. As a result, the most visible area of the building is the small parking lot. The lot is dark and contrasts well with bright colors like blue and pink, making chalk a great option.
What was the result? We made a pig hoof stencil out of cardstock. We colored with sidewalk chalk. The total cost of this project was $4 (for chalk) and everything else was in house. The stencil created clean images with minimal effort. The hoof images withstood minimal wind and washed away with water and mild friction. The stencil itself does not have a long shelf life and can be torn easily if used with too much pressure.
The Analysis
After project completion, we noticed significant improvement in our clients’ wayfinding success. We received positive feedback and noted that our clients felt creative and cared for when seeing our tracks. People walking by smiled, laughed, and asked questions upon seeing the hooves. Many building patrons inquired about our business as a result.
Conclusion + Reccommendations
At the conclusion of our project, we acheicved our original goals. Our pig hooves stood out from the street and offered guidance for our clients. The stencil accurately depicted pig hooves. We successfully utilized the laser cutter to create an effective stencil.
Based on the study’s results, I would recommend cutting our stencil out of a sturdier material like plastic, wood, or metal to prevent ripping. In a permanent location, we would consider painting the hooves or spraying them to minimize smudges. The team also plans to increase visibility by creating a large branded outdoor sign for passersby.
Katrice Stover is a passionate writer and the Community and Office Manager for Flying Pig Designs LLC. Combining her love for knowledge, growth, and a good read, it’s her mission to provide informative, engaging content for inventors, creatives, engineers, and industry professionals alike. In her spare time, you can find her dancing with her daughter, playing video games, and dying her hair vibrant colors.
(720) 470-9122
75 Waneka Parkway, Lafayette CO 80026
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