PERFECT BALANCE
BETWEEN ERGONOMICS AND FUNCTION
Background
With top steelmaking techniques, Great Knives has earned a reputation for making the sharpest, most durable and high-quality knives in the industry by manufacturing over 4,000 types of blades, scissors, knives and machine parts for many renowned first-tier brands worldwide.
After their success in the OEM/ODM business, Great Knives wanted to create their own product lines with scissors in different categories. The top-of-the-line tailor’s shears are the hero products and represent the core values of the entire product design language.
Challenges
If used and cared properly, a good pair of scissors can last a very long time. That is why a classic yet timeless design language becomes so important for this product series. We do not want the products to look outdated 10 years from now, meanwhile, the ergonomics need to fit various user scenarios including hand sizes, holding positions, and cutting purposes.
Solutions
To achieve the best human-centered design, our designers had to adopt a “reversed” method by starting the design process from making mockups instead of sketching. Different versions of mockups were tested by potential users, and the selected ones were iterated to be tested again. Then came the sketching phase for adding more refined details and design language elements.
Tailors and dressmakers often suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis due to consistent hand movement and extended hours at work. The enhanced ergonomics helps to relieve wrist and finger pressure while providing a more comfortable grip and the shears are designed in 3 sizes for versatile usage.
Unbeatable functionality, modern color schemes, streamlined and user-friendly shapes, and signature elements established in this project will be applied to the company’s future collections, including rotary cutters, electric scissors, and trimmers, carrying on the state-of-the-art spirit.
