Walk Me Hondsleit by Hi Jac is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 A' Design Award an Bronze in Nohalteg Produkter, Projeten a Gréngt Design Competition Category.

BronzeNohaltegt Produkt· 2023

Walk Me Hondsleit

by Hi Jac

Client: Hi Jac

A' Design Award an Bronze Winner in Nohaltegt Produkt Category

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Colors

The Design

About Walk Me Hondsleit

De Grëff ass glat awer steif; seng Konturen schaaft en ergonomeschen, knaschtege Grip fir déi mënschlech Hand, awer kann och bequem ëm e Mënsch Handgelenk oder Aarm wéckelen. Well de Grëff steif ass, wäert et net kontraktéieren, sou datt all Spannung vun engem Hond, deen zitt, d'Hand vum Mënsch net dréckt (wat en Designfehler an der konventioneller Schleifhandtak Hënnleitungen ass). D'distinctive Grëff Muster (Splat, Flecken a Faarfwirbelen) sinn individuell fir all Grëff, well se sech eenzegaarteg aus dem praktesche Form- a Bakprozess bilden. De Grëff an d'Seel sinn aus 100 Prozent Post-Consumer Plastik gemaach.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award an Bronze

Walk Me Hondsleit ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Bronze, enger héich prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un erausragend Designe vergi gëtt, déi sech duerch Kreativitéit, Erfindungsgab a Schlauheet ausgezeechnen. Bronze-Gewënner si voll Fäegkeet a opfälleg kreativ Wierker, déi déi grouss Erfahrung, d'Fantasie an d'Ressourceréichtum vun hire Designer bestätegen. Et gëtt erwaart, datt Walk Me Hondsleit e héich geschätzt, bewonnert a beléifte Géigestand ass, bemierkenswäert professionell an innovativ. Dëst mam Bronze ausgezeechent Design integréiert déi beschte Praktike vun der Konscht, der Wëssenschaft, vum Design an der Technologie an zeechent sech duerch Opmierksamkeet fir Detailer aus. Walk Me Hondsleit erfëllt Bedierfnesser exzellent, beréiert Wënsch, bezauberet Gefiller an erweckt Neigierecht.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Ergonomic design - the handle is smooth but rigid; its contours create a snug grip for the human hand but can also wrap comfortably around a human's wrist. The handle's rigidity absorbs any tension from a dog pulling, preventing the human's hand from squishing (a design flaw in the conventional loop handle dog leash).
Distinctive handle pattern - the splats, splotches and swirls of colour are individual to each handle as they form uniquely during the moulding and baking process.
Sustainability: The handle is made from 100% post-consumer plastic (shampoo & conditioner bottles). The rope is made from 100% R-pet.
Dimensions & Packaging: Leash Handle Dimension: 155mm X 330mm X 145mm
Leash Weight: 211g approx.
Standard Leash Length (including handle): 1.25m
Long Leash Length (including handle): 1.75m
Rope Breaking Force:285KG
Tags: Recycled, Sustainable, Circular, Pet, Eco, Dog, Dog Leash, Dog Lead, Plastic
Production Technology: The leash handle is made via compression moulding from 100% used plastic shampoo & conditioner bottles. The bottles are shredded and sorted by colour. The shreds are weighed according to our leash range of colour recipes and randomly sprinkled into the mould. The mould is baked and cooled before the handle is removed and trimmed by hand. The finished handles are connected to the leash rope (100% r-pet) and the carabiner by a knot each. The knots are sealed by flame to complete the process.
Design Challenge: Sustainability: Which machine and manufacturing method used 100% recycled plastic for the handle. The compression mould was the most labour-intensive, requiring more human interaction but resulted in the best aesthetic and form.
Design & Aesthetic: Our design heavily departs from the conventional dog lead. Many iterations were made to its shape, weight, size and colours recipes to ensure it was eye-catching yet practical and ergonomic, focusing on the humans' comfortable grip.
Research: Analyse existing dog leads on the market against ergonomics, aesthetics, practicality, sustainability and materiality criteria.
Test samples, interview dog owners on samples and our prototype.
3d print handle and iterate to better its form and function.
Test materials for leash rope and its connection to the handle/carabiner (knot, tie, fastener, other hardware).
Experiment with machines for handle manufacture and filling/baking process of mould to achieve the handle's pattern and rigidity.
Inspiration: The handle design was inspired by the limited sustainable dog leashes available on the market and the design limitations of the conventional dog leash - most have a flexible loop for the human hand to hold, and the human's hand gets squished when a dog pulls on the leash. The design was based on a knuckle duster as they contour to suit a human hand's comfortable but sturdy grip; then, we investigated plastic production methods and applied circular economy principles to complete the design.
Project Duration: The project started in September 2019 and finished in November 2020
Operation Flow: The handle design is one size fits all and encourages a firm human hand grip by wrapping your fingers over the contours placed at the top of the base of the handle. Once the human hand wraps around the handle base, the grip is snug. Any pulling from the dog does not contract the handle as it is rigid; hence the human hand grip is not disturbed and remains stable.
Patents: HI JAC Trademark No: 2118178 (2021) Andre Barks Charlie Meows Pty Ltd
HI JAC LOGO Trademark No: 2133033 (2021) Andre Barks Charlie Meows Pty Ltd
Play Nice with the Planet Trademark no: 2182702 (2022) Andre Barks Charlie Meows Pty Ltd
Handle Design Registration: 202014162 (2021) Andre Barks Charlie Meows Pty Ltd
Team Members: Designed by People & Things (product design) in Sydney, Australia