Iron Art and Stationery Supplies Design · 2017
Possibilities Ballpoint Pen
- A' Design Award 2017 Iron Winner in Art and Stationery Supplies Design
- Awarded April 15, 2017
- CLIENT: If
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 24,085
- Verification code 9A1E2A5297 · Verify this award
About Possibilities Ballpoint Pen
Nothing beats the tactile connection of putting ideas to paper. That should be something you can take pride in. Respecting tradition, the Possibilities Ballpoint Pen from "If" borrows elements from the quill and fountain pen to reconnect with the joy of writing while a standard G2 ballpoint refill brings the convenience and versatility of modern writing. Its design focuses on seamlessly connecting a retracting anti-drying cap, squeeze grip activation, click-to-fit refill replacement and two stage pocket clip for style, practicality and pleasure to last a lifetime.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Your pen is an expression of who you are. The Possibilities Ballpoint Pen from "If" shows that you are a thoughtful influencer far from being pretentious with: Understated but distinctive looks - An integrated retracting cover to protect the writing tip from drying out - Single motion activation, squeeze the grip and write - A pocket clip that closes so you won't put it away when in writing mode - Quick click-to-fit refill replacement with no disassembly needed - Durability enough to use every day, forever.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Length: 150mm
Diameter: 12.7mm
Weight: 25grams
Balance: central
Refill: universal standard G2 - Tags
- pen, ballpoint, writing, luxury, office, stationery, gift
- Production Technology
- Internal components are produced from engineering grade injection molded plastics (Polycarbonate and Acetal) while the barrel is metal injection molded in either 316 stainless steel or Ti64 titanium.
- Design Challenge
- Selection of quality manufacturers enabled the functionality and quality from the design to be realized however this created a new challenge in the prototyping phase.
The best rapid prototyping technology available was sufficient to prove the functionality but not to reproduce the desired tight tolerances.
The upshot of this is the verification that the finished product will continue to function as intended even after years of use and abuse. - Project Duration
- The project, based in Adelaide South Australia, started in July 2011 and has recently reached the point of commercial readiness. It has been functionally tested and proven and is ready now to be manufactured.
- Operation Flow
- The unique retracting cover that prevents ink from drying out services the growing market desire for gel ink refills that need greater protection from airflow where other pens don’t.
Activation of the pen for writing is one simple intuitive step. Hold the pen as if you are writing and squeeze the grip lightly – the protective cap will retract and the pen is ready to write.
Replacement of the refill requires no disassembly of the barrel. The refill is simply held in place by inserting and pressing the tip upwards to clip into place – press down and slide out to remove it. - Research
- Many years of experience in manufacturing, applying the principles of Lean and Continuous Improvement, have demonstrated the need to address a key set of objectives from the very beginning.
Selection of core values, business model, target market and product has been deliberately focused. Design intent has been rigorously adhered to throughout.
Careful application of the Eliminate, Combine, Rearrange and Simplify approach has helped guarantee that the outcome combines quality and affordability. - Inspiration
- I have some nice pens in my collection, some sought out and some given to me as thank you gifts. They mean quite a lot to me.
Most though, have scratches, jammed mechanisms, missing parts or broken pocket clips so they have been relegated to being unused mementos rather than daily reminders of achievements, values and aspirations.
I wanted to share my dream for a unique pen, exceptional in its modern styling, function and robust quality that can be used with pride every day, forever. - Image Credits
- Image #1 : Creator Katie Kung, Aesthetic form, 2017
Image #2 : Creator Katie Kung, Active and inactive, 2017
Image #3 : Creator Katie Kung, Pocket clip and button, 2017
Image #4 : Creator Katie Kung, Internals, 2017
Image #5 : Photographer Dave Colliver, Refill replacement, 2017 - Patents
- Registered Design No. AU 367804. 2016. Australia
The Registered Design belongs to Dave Colliver, 2016.
Colors of Possibilities Ballpoint Pen
Design Interview about Possibilities Ballpoint Pen
Elegant simplicity for daily inspiration. Removing barriers and complication to allow the basic elements of a design to give the most enjoyable experience in a simple every day task we often take for granted.
Products that people use every day can have a positive influence on them. They can provide concepts and ideas that give them the motivation to do great things, amazingly creative things. That’s what I wanted to achieve.
Manufacture it and share it with the world.
All up it’s been over five years but because of the holistic approach taken, it can be a bit of a fuzzy divide between market research, design, prototyping and business start-up effort.
It was definitely pursuit of an inspiration. I wanted to get it right and take as long as was needed to do so.
The design is ready to be tooled but not yet being manufactured. I am currently looking for the right funding model to allow me to produce it myself. I want to keep in touch with the product in the most basic way possible.
Despite the onset of more and more electronic devices and applications, I believe writing is one of those simple necessities and in fact pleasures that will endure for many people. In keeping with that, it was important to create something that was timeless and durable and that people wanted to use every day.
There are products and brands in particular that I draw my inspiration from. They have stood the test of time and are quite varied but all have some common values. Zippo, Audi, Porsche, Sony, Remy Martin and the perhaps lesser known Crix and R.M. Williams have all played a part. There are also a number of Italian pen manufacturers who’s passion for visual and tactile subtleties have reminded me of their importance and, to some extent, given permission to increase the focus on them.
Lessons from my university lecturers still resonate with me too: Sandy Walker, Heinz Luettringhaus and Stuart Gluth at UniSA, Thanks guys.
Lessons from my university lecturers still resonate with me too: Sandy Walker, Heinz Luettringhaus and Stuart Gluth at UniSA, Thanks guys.
If I were a utilitarian purist, I would say anyone who wants reliability and durability in a pen but I’m not. There is a huge range of emotions that go with putting ideas on paper that creative people of all types appreciate. These are the people I believe will enjoy this design.
I wish you could touch it, hold it in your hands and run your fingers along its curves. Feel the shapes and textures, the balance and the action. Functionally, there are many individual features and benefits that set the if… pen apart from other writing instruments but it’s how they all work together with a neat minimalism that doesn’t compromise on the experience that has been the focus.
I love the idea that all creative solutions are already out there just waiting to be discovered. If we can just put aside preconceptions and explore the possibilities unhindered (if… then…) we can achieve anything.
Subtraction, but even further, Eliminate – Combine – Rearrange – Simplify (ECRS). I have always found this approach the most successful in good design. A holistic use of Value Analysis and Lean principles were invaluable too.
I would have to say the activation method is the most unique aspect. It’s intuitive and its motion is nicely seen from end to end. But it’s also the basis for many of the other features, the protective cover, the ergonomic grip, the closing pocket clip and the refill replacement without disassembly.
There has been considerable collaboration with local quality manufacturers and of course, people who love pens.
Materials and manufacturing techniques are improving every day which is very exciting. In the case of the mechanisms, the materials selected improve reliability and durability. The metal injection moulding process for the barrel reduces cost, increases quality and minimises waste.
Lots of market research influenced the design from the very beginning. A key goal was that people could be proud of their purchase as well as the product itself so it had to offer greater benefits than other market players at an equal or lower price. Value Analysis was used to make sure this was achieved. I wasn’t out to exploit any potential prestige value. That’s not my thing.
The first concepts were pitched at an ideal, of a simpler internal mechanism, with even less parts. It was very elegant on paper but the available prototyping technology just wasn’t precise enough to prove its viability so I had to make some compromises. It was hard to let it go but necessary in order to move on to something I could prove would be reliable and durable.
It’s in keeping with my goal to share my best with the world.
Reach for the sky first and let pragmatism take effect during resolution. If we only aim for what we think is possible without exploration, we will never find the limits.