Born from extensive ethnographic research on the enthusiast level detailing of vehicles, I designed a bespoke Detail Cart for Canadian Tire’s Simoniz Platinum brand. This cart prioritizes improved mobility and ergonomics, with dedicated storage for tools and products in a robust, flat pack design for minimal shelf and shipping size.
The development process for the Detail Cart was also featured as part an article in The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business magazine. (PDF)
Reinventing the cart.
Designing from the ground up, I focused on mobility, ergonomics, and compact storage. By keeping the cart only slightly wider than a standard bucket, it could easily fit into the same spaces in a garage or shed. Through concept development, I identified that angling the buckets improved ergonomic access for users standing or kneeling, while also creating room for a storage tray on top.
Scale Models.
Prototyping at both micro and full scale allowed me to confirm ergonomic improvements and guide design refinements through real-world testing. With freight and shelf space at a premium, the cart was engineered to be lightweight and flat-packable, while still assembling into a sturdy structure with an 80 lb capacity.
Bespoke Result.
By prioritizing the user’s needs and refining every detail, we created a product uniquely suited to automotive detailing enthusiasts, receiving incredible customer feedback and organic recognition from influencers.
The development process for the Detail Cart was also featured as part of The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business magazine. (PDF)