Mercurial Guards

// INSIGHT & DIRECTION //

Shinguards are something players need but don’t necessarily want, especially at the elite level where most players seldom practice wearing them. This makes it even more important to create products that function well and are visually stunning to quickly capture athletes’ attention.

// DE-COMPLEXIFICATION //

Designing shinguards involves passing third-party CE (Europe) and NOCSAE (USA) tests, which are essential for selling in local markets. These tests and manufacturing limits make innovation tough. Our goal was to reduce weight, eliminate distractions, and push the boundaries of testing. Initially, we focused on overcoming material and design challenges.

In the early stages of the design process, we utilized Grasshopper and computational design to explore new forms. We then adjusted the geometry in Rhino to ensure it could pass CE and NOCSAE lab tests. The Design Team used KeyShot to apply surface textures, colors, and animations to the models, helping to visualize and communicate their design intent.

// FINISHED EXECUTION //

Each guard improved performance and had a unique style. The Superlock grip texture, added late in the project to prevent slippage inside the sock, was a completely novel innovation.

TEAM CREDITS
Product Design / Matthew Blunt & Miguel Herrera Macias
PM / Ken Clark
Development / Dylan Durrell
Engineering / Arthur Molinari