Gard
A safe-touch key chain that prevents contact with harmful microbes.
2020
Internal Project
Nyker Visions
Year
Brief
Create a product that combats the spread of germs in public spaces. The solution should increase people’s sense of comfort in public areas, without impacting heavily on their daily routine.
Outcome
Identified the areas of public life that increase the spread of germs and bacteria. This was used as an inspiration to conceive Gard, a safe-touch key chain used to open doors.
Key Design Features
Machined from anti-microbial brass
Comfortable and easy to hold
Doubles as a carabiner and bottle opener
Three size variations to suit everyone’s needs
Reacting to a Changing World
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, people wanted to reclaim a feeling of normalcy and routine. At the same time, their sensitivity to the cleanliness of public spaces was heightened.
Gard offers people the freedom to visit public spaces without needing to interact with dirty doors or door handles. The product is made entirely from brass, which has natural anti-microbial properties that keep it clean.
Its compact size allows people to feel comfortable and safe in public, with minimal interruption to their day or routine.
Adaptable and Multi-Faceted
The three Gard varieties offer alternate sizes and additional functionality. Gard and Gard Light are compact and sleek, minimising weight and footprint whilst still providing the same level of protection and security.
Gard Max is larger and introduces extra functionality:
A bottle opener
Carabiner style clip
Measurement markings along the edge in cm/mm
By coming in three variations Gard appeals to a broader market of people, allowing them to choose the product that best suits their needs.
Built With Sustainability in Mind
It was important that the product minimised environmental impact wherever possible. The packaging uses recycled bike inner tubes to hold the product in place, and plywood to keep the total weight as low as possible.
The brass we use is extremely durable and designed to last a lifetime of use. The compact size has been refined to prioritise comfort and strength, which means material usage across all three variants has been optimised, and waste reduced.
