Product Development + User Centered Design + Market Research
Designing a safer, more intuitive tape solution for busy parents.
Ask
Design a functionally superior tape dispenser tailored to the needs and constraints of a specific user.
Solution
We developed a safety-focused tape dispenser for moms with protective blade mechanisms that prevent accidental cuts while maintaining quick, reliable tape use.
The User
Sarah Miller: The Multitasking First-Time Mom
A 30-year-old marketing professional balancing career growth with raising her two-year-old daughter. She values safety, independence, and creating a calm, functional home environment.
Her daily life is a constant balancing act, from daycare pickup to dinner, bedtime routines, and household tasks, all while managing all of her work responsibilities. She needs something that doesn’t add to her plate.
She needs tools that seamlessly fit into her routine without adding friction or risk, to make sure her toddler stays safe.
The Problem
Tape is a small tool that plays a surprisingly constant role in her life, from quick fixes and packing lunches to crafts and gift wrapping.
But current solutions fall short:
Easily accessible to children
Sharp, exposed blades
Often misplaced in cluttered drawers
Require two hands to use
The Design Process
The Initial Sketches
We tried again…
The Final Design
Clever Cut
Hidden Blade System
A fully enclosed cutting mechanism ensures sharp edges are never exposed to children while still allowing clean, precise cuts.
Magnetic Mounting
A strong magnet allows the dispenser to attach to surfaces like refrigerators, keeping it visible, accessible, and out of reach.
One-Handed Slider Mechanism
Designed for effortless use while multitasking, enabling quick, controlled dispensing with a single hand.
Multi-Roll Storage
Holds multiple tape types (standard, masking, washi), reducing clutter and supporting a range of everyday use cases.
Easy-Open Refill System
A simple hinged cover allows for quick tape replacement without disrupting usability.
Sarah Miller
The Insight
She doesn’t just need tools that work, she needs tools she doesn’t have to think about.
Safety, accessibility, and ease of use need to be built in, not managed.
So, How Does It Work?
Key Features
Why We Landed on This
Reduces everyday safety risks by eliminating exposed blades
Supports real behavior — designed for one-handed, multitasking use
Removes friction from a frequent task instead of adding to it
Reimagines placement by taking tape out of the junk drawer and into the environment
Balances function and form with a design that feels intentional
Clever Cut doesn’t reinvent tape, it rethinks how it fits into real life.
Behind The Work
My Role:
Led user research, insight development, and product concept design, translating real parent needs into our solution.
My Team:
Jackie Ouellette (ST)
Leah Glass (ST)
Want to see more?
Click here to download the final presentation deck.