Final year project
Improving the safety and learning experience for beginner sailors [Read more]
Helm - an onboard personal sailing coach
A lack of understanding of basic boat control, sailing fundamentals, and awareness of the user’s environment can often lead to injury, collisions, and feelings of uneasiness when learning to sail. Helm acts as an onboard coach, aiding and improving the user’s performance and safety, as well as communication and feedback with their instructor.
Helm - machine vision
Utilising a machine-vision camera, the device accurately tracks the orientation of the sail in relation to the wind, suggesting adjustments through visual and auditory feedback.
Helm - internals
Helm tracks the user's position and speed when out on the water, notifies users of potential oncoming collisions, and alerts them if they are about to perform a dangerous maneuver.
Helm - designing for manufacture and waterproofing
The internal electronics are neatly configured within the ABS casing. The device has been designed to be fully waterproof through the use of o-rings and nonpermeable meshes.
Helm - app
Data shared with the app, enable the users to analyse their location around the course, identify strengths & weaknesses, record their progress, and provide actionable goals for the future.
Helm - prototyping
A prototype was created to allow for testing of the product's key interactions such as the clipping mechanism of the device in and out of the mast, the screen UI, and volume controls.
Helm - action and protection
The frame of the device is fixed to the mast, providing robust protection to the electronic casing, which can be detached and wirelessly charged indoors after each session.
Oscar Pearce
A compassionate designer with the ambition to create beautiful solutions for significant problems.
For me, design is the ability to think creatively, look at a problem, flip it on its head, and find unique solutions through beautiful objects. People often forget the effort that goes into designing a great product because great products and their solutions should be effortless and intuitive. I thrive off of collaboration and the sharing of ideas between friends and myself, I would credit a lot of my success so far to this. I look forward to being able to pursue a career in such an exciting and diverse industry with people who inspire me every day.
Final year project
Improving the safety and learning experience for beginner sailors
Awards
'20 Diploma of Professional Studies
Placements
August 2018 - August 2019
Design Intern , PriestmanGoode