Tomsen Snowskates
A New Sport. A New Product.
2021-2022 | Industrial Design
Introduction & Project Brief
A New Sport. A New Product.
Snowskating is a relatively new sport that brings skates on snow. Unlike skiing and snowboarding, it is performed using a pair of snowskates — a complete product that unifies a boot with its base.
The product was derived from a solicited scope to design a series of snowskates that satisfy a wide range of users, from newcomers to pros alike.
Their design direction results conceptually from Norwegian-inspired values, which are expressed through the introduction of Norway's flag's cross upon the boot's surface and the beauty of honest forms at the forefront.
Their form radiates simplicity; ease-of-use; controllable speed; unity; and smoothness. They offer a unique experience through the use of a unified snowskating product.
They are innovative; safer; easier to learn, and more affordable — directly responding to the difficulties of practicing traditional winter sports, whilst offering the wearer a supreme, smooth, and fun ride.
Aiming for the Skies
Typical ski boot development takes approximately 24 months from concept to delivery; the Tomsen team wished to shorten this time to be able to reach a market entry in the 2021-2022 winter season.
The ask was to design a series of 4 new designs of snowskates; 3 retail models and 1 for rental use, with 4 sizes per model. Brief research for the product's market and the product's design and development was performed, however, its potential was insignificant due to the market's size.
Research & Documentation
Defining an Appropriate Design Direction
Design Direction Through Research
The conceptual design phase had been impacted by the lack of saturated user profiles and market research. The use of Scandinavian design values was not only the perfect fit — due to the origin of the Tomsen brand itself — but also complementary to the vital design attributes of a contemporary and innovative winter-sport product.
The conceptual design phase had been impacted by the lack of saturated user profiles and market research. The use of Scandinavian design values was not only the perfect fit — due to the origin of the Tomsen brand itself — but also complementary to the vital design attributes of a contemporary and innovative winter-sport product.
Design Values
Additional to the essence of the brand's Norwegian heritage — which by itself could potentially inspire a qualitative product to the relevant market — the snowskates' design had to radiate simplicity; ease-of-use; controllable speed; smooth, surface-perfected forms; and transmit a unique and unified snowskating product, different from other ski or snowboard boots.
The above image shows the bottom side of the base, its steel-edge insertions, and its more rounded, frontal curve to attack snow.
The above image shows the gradient and its application on the cuff and boot shell and the smooth spoiler located on the top of the base's lifted extrusion.
3D C.A.D. Model Construction
Modeling the Snowskates for Production in Rhinoceros 3D
Boot Modelling Difficulty
The main body of the snowskates is brought to life using a multitude of connected, complex curvature-matching surfaces. This construction methodology — in matters of 3D C.A.D. standards — provides a high grade of smoothness and seamless continuity. Additionally, the requirement for proper functionality constrained the errors and/or possibilities of surface cloud point positioning in the 3D space.
The main body of the snowskates is brought to life using a multitude of connected, complex curvature-matching surfaces. This construction methodology — in matters of 3D C.A.D. standards — provides a high grade of smoothness and seamless continuity. Additionally, the requirement for proper functionality constrained the errors and/or possibilities of surface cloud point positioning in the 3D space.
Increasing Functional Performance
The front part of the base increased in length and introduced a less-aggressive surface curvature to help satisfy a better ride comfort due to its softer contact with the snow. A supportive and stable back-side was created with the use of rounded edges, which dramatically impact the braking experience of riders. The integration of stainless steel inserts to the sides of the base enables riders to hockey stop (break using the lateral edges of the base).
A zoomed-in render with a focus on the line extrusions that form a crossing loop around the boot shell and cuff. The extrusions use constant width, extending flawlessly to form the back spoiler.
The modeling phase of all models was primarily focused on the coherency of form, assembly, and buckle use.
Delicate Attention to Details
Fine-line extrusions form a crossing loop, which lies upon the boot shell and the cuff, derived from the cross of the Norwegian flag. This refined detail ends its loop in a functional way as a velcro strap holder and a spoiler-resembling connection to the base; conveying a more streamlined form in the factor of aerodynamics, and a more unified appearance.
Qualitative at All Costs
The velcro strap uses a meticulously designed, soft plastic strap with refined patterns made up of the Tomsen symbols, accompanied by the Tomsen combination mark logotype. To differentiate the models from one another, detail elements are lessened at the BTS5, to eliminate the sense of extravagance.
Graphics & Branding
Designing Timeless Graphics
The established direction of Scandinavian design characteristics led to a pre-defined course for graphics. Graphic elements had to be made of clean, simple forms that complement the shape they print upon. Primarily, the Tomsen symbol logotype was placed on the outside of the boot for visibility and proper placement due to the symbol's construction (the symbol has be placed rightwards to be interpreted correctly).
The cross-sections of the extruded looping lines on the cuff and boot were emphasized through the use of a black to transparent, fading-gradient shape, which itself resembles a cross.
The backside of both the MD20 and KF35 have a pair of diamonds (or one, in the case of the MD20), which use a pattern of the Tomsen symbol, resembling the diamond-shaped signs which refer to expert level slopes.
The four models below include the range of snowskates designed for Tomsen.
LTS
A rental-only model that was designed to help bring in beginners to the sport, using an easier-to-brake base, cheaper materials, and graphics.
A rental-only model that was designed to help bring in beginners to the sport, using an easier-to-brake base, cheaper materials, and graphics.
BTS5
The entry-level model that designed to be affordable and to fit a wider range of sizes, using its 3-in-1 inner boot.
The entry-level model that designed to be affordable and to fit a wider range of sizes, using its 3-in-1 inner boot.
MD20
The first choice for those who wish to increase their performance level. It uses a better-fitting, one-sized inner boot, and a more aggressive color selection.
The first choice for those who wish to increase their performance level. It uses a better-fitting, one-sized inner boot, and a more aggressive color selection.
KF35
The top level of all snowskates ever produced — is produced using Pebax, and uses a soft flex outer boot with a comfortable padded inner boot to promote a most comfortable ride for those who seek ultimate performance and control.
The top level of all snowskates ever produced — is produced using Pebax, and uses a soft flex outer boot with a comfortable padded inner boot to promote a most comfortable ride for those who seek ultimate performance and control.
