Design Objective
Drawing inspiration from the sport of lacrosse, BULL Pet Co. enlisted Trailside Creative to develop an innovative solution for pet waste management, envisioning “the next evolution in pooper scoopers.” By combining our expertise in lacrosse mechanics with the practical challenges of cleaning up after pets, we crafted a hybrid tool that seamlessly merged form and function. Branded as the Turd Tosser, this ingenious product empowers pet owners to hygienically and effortlessly remove their furry companions’ unwanted leavings, providing a convenient and hygienic solution for maintaining a clean outdoor environment with minimal physical exertion.
Concept Exploration
The initial exploration phase involved testing a wide range of lacrosse and lacrosse scoop variants. This stage focused heavily on identifying the optimal scoop geometry and handle length that would result in an ideal trajectory for various users.
Prototyping!
Ranging from rudimentary paper mock-ups and quick tape-masked iterations to sophisticated 3D-printed models — Our prototyping process validated our design assumptions in practice.
Prototype Testing
Evaluations of the various scoops uncovered insights into ergonomics and performance characteristics. Ultimately, testing provided objective assessment of each prototype’s capabilities and highlighted areas for refinement.
Design Refinement
Finalizing the scoop’s design, we strategically integrated a branded surface at the neck, enhancing product recognition while simultaneously refining the tooling process through rigorous optimization, ensuring cost-effective and scalable manufacturing.
Final Design Intent
With its ergonomic design and optimized trajectory, the Turd Tosser 2000 allows pet owners to hygienically remove their pets’ unwanted leavings with minimal effort, providing a convenient and effective tool for maintaining a clean outdoor environment.
