Flow Projects
An novel concept designed to bring the essential oil experience to full face helments
︎RESEARCH・︎IDEATE・︎ DESIGN
︎ 6 months
Role Co-Founder
Tools Sketch ・ Illustrator ・ Google Docs ・ Shopify + Liquid
Collaborators Brock Cady
CHALLENGE
Upon moving to Brooklyn, I reconnected with a longtime friend, to kick around ideas surrounding our mutual passions of motorcycles and ecommerce business. Flow was born out of many conversations and iterative physical & digital product design.
We had been riders for years and wanted to replicate, and legitimize, the benefit of putting essential oils into a motorcycle helmet. The process of gearing up to ride and preparing to hop on a bike forms a unique ritual that every rider embarks on before zipping off.
We wanted to redefine and bring more intentionality behind the act of putting a helmet on. 🌬️🌻🍃 🏍️💨
GOALS
︎ Create a sustainable and low impact way to bring essential oil diffusion into a helmet
︎ Make it easy to subscribe and shipped to your doorstep
︎ Develop the messaging to a user base that generally doesn’t buy essential oils
︎ Ensure that the unit economics of the business could work from the start
︎RESEARCH・︎IDEATE・︎ DESIGN
CHALLENGES
The different types and sizes of full face helments is quite extensive. We initially started off measuring and comparing 10-20 different types of manufactured full face helmets (below).
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A unique challenge became readily apparent — all full face helmets are created with different polymers of varying textures and adhesion properties. This would drive a lot of different design decisions as we continued.
We then started to define what the actual components of the device could consist of.. Initial prototype drawings below:
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︎REFLECTIONS
Through this iterative process, Brock and I determined that a semi-permanent base, with embedded rare-earth magnets would serve as the foundation for the system. We then would provide a diffuser that could have its ‘cell’ changed out as necessary.
The 3 components: Base, Diffuser, Scent Cell
We then got busy with how to actually design this product. The main elements we wanted to bring to life were — sustainable / recycleable materials, natural oils (no synthetic dilution or solvants), and very robust packaging to make sure the product gets to the customer safely.
︎RESEARCH・︎IDEATE・︎ DESIGN
We worked with a 3D printer based in Brooklyn to bring our initial concept to life. It was an educational process, but quickly determined that we needed more surface area to make the experience more durable and less ‘finnicky’
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We landed on silicone as being our primary material for its durability, general recycleability, and flexibility to conform with the odd shapes of motorcycle helmet interiors.
![]()
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Alongside the product and packaging design, we were blending our own unique blend of essential oils with a company based out of France & New Jersey. The two ‘flavor’ profiles we landed on were ‘Flight’ & ‘Canopy’. The former being more energizing, bright, and heavier on eucalyptus and the latter being more grounding, woody, and balanced.
We felt this was important in order to sell unique experiences and get people involved in what sort of environment they were ultimately wanting to have in their helment.
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︎REFLECTIONS
The prototypes were the spark that ultimately pushed us to continue to work with our suppliers to bring this to market. The fun comes next.
︎RESEARCH・︎IDEATE・︎ DESIGN
PACKAGING
Design Dielines:
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RENDERED ANIMATIONS
Rendered Animation to explain kit to consumers quickly and easily.
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CONTENT
Photoshoot in Brooklyn, NYC:
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WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT
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FEATURED CAMPAIGNS
We were asked by a Japanese distributor to run a crowdfunding campaign.
とても楽しいです！
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︎REFLECTIONS
Ultimately this was an invigorating process of iterative design across multiple analog and digital fronts — organically new product development, 3D printed & silicone prototyping, original essential oil blend mixing, mixed material dielines, website wireframing & development, internationaly supply chain management, and ultiately acquisition.
Brock and I were able to push ourselves to innovate a very niche space — and had fun & a few good motorcycle rides in between. 🏍️💨
︎ 6 months
Role Co-Founder
Tools Sketch ・ Illustrator ・ Google Docs ・ Shopify + Liquid
Collaborators Brock Cady
CHALLENGE
Upon moving to Brooklyn, I reconnected with a longtime friend, to kick around ideas surrounding our mutual passions of motorcycles and ecommerce business. Flow was born out of many conversations and iterative physical & digital product design.
We had been riders for years and wanted to replicate, and legitimize, the benefit of putting essential oils into a motorcycle helmet. The process of gearing up to ride and preparing to hop on a bike forms a unique ritual that every rider embarks on before zipping off.
We wanted to redefine and bring more intentionality behind the act of putting a helmet on. 🌬️🌻🍃 🏍️💨
GOALS
︎ Create a sustainable and low impact way to bring essential oil diffusion into a helmet
︎ Make it easy to subscribe and shipped to your doorstep
︎ Develop the messaging to a user base that generally doesn’t buy essential oils
︎ Ensure that the unit economics of the business could work from the start
︎RESEARCH
︎RESEARCH・︎IDEATE・︎ DESIGN
CHALLENGES
The different types and sizes of full face helments is quite extensive. We initially started off measuring and comparing 10-20 different types of manufactured full face helmets (below).
A unique challenge became readily apparent — all full face helmets are created with different polymers of varying textures and adhesion properties. This would drive a lot of different design decisions as we continued.
We then started to define what the actual components of the device could consist of.. Initial prototype drawings below:
︎REFLECTIONS
Through this iterative process, Brock and I determined that a semi-permanent base, with embedded rare-earth magnets would serve as the foundation for the system. We then would provide a diffuser that could have its ‘cell’ changed out as necessary.
The 3 components: Base, Diffuser, Scent Cell
We then got busy with how to actually design this product. The main elements we wanted to bring to life were — sustainable / recycleable materials, natural oils (no synthetic dilution or solvants), and very robust packaging to make sure the product gets to the customer safely.
︎IDEATE
︎RESEARCH・︎IDEATE・︎ DESIGN
We worked with a 3D printer based in Brooklyn to bring our initial concept to life. It was an educational process, but quickly determined that we needed more surface area to make the experience more durable and less ‘finnicky’
We landed on silicone as being our primary material for its durability, general recycleability, and flexibility to conform with the odd shapes of motorcycle helmet interiors.
Alongside the product and packaging design, we were blending our own unique blend of essential oils with a company based out of France & New Jersey. The two ‘flavor’ profiles we landed on were ‘Flight’ & ‘Canopy’. The former being more energizing, bright, and heavier on eucalyptus and the latter being more grounding, woody, and balanced.
We felt this was important in order to sell unique experiences and get people involved in what sort of environment they were ultimately wanting to have in their helment.
︎REFLECTIONS
The prototypes were the spark that ultimately pushed us to continue to work with our suppliers to bring this to market. The fun comes next.
︎DESIGN
︎RESEARCH・︎IDEATE・︎ DESIGN
PACKAGING
Design Dielines:
Outeer Sleeve
Nesting Box with Lid
Scent Cell Box (of 3)
Scent Cell Envelope (Individual)
Scent Cell (Individual)
RENDERED ANIMATIONS
Rendered Animation to explain kit to consumers quickly and easily.
Rendering - Mockup
Rendering - Wireframe
Rendering - Final Version
CONTENT
Photoshoot in Brooklyn, NYC:
WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT
FEATURED CAMPAIGNS
We were asked by a Japanese distributor to run a crowdfunding campaign.
とても楽しいです！
︎REFLECTIONS
Ultimately this was an invigorating process of iterative design across multiple analog and digital fronts — organically new product development, 3D printed & silicone prototyping, original essential oil blend mixing, mixed material dielines, website wireframing & development, internationaly supply chain management, and ultiately acquisition.
Brock and I were able to push ourselves to innovate a very niche space — and had fun & a few good motorcycle rides in between. 🏍️💨
