Your brain Of A Yoga Mat Designer… Why Plank’s founder doesn’t want to be #1 yoga mat in the market…
Plank PoseI’m asked every once in awhile the way i came up with notion of creating Plank Yoga Mats. Typically, I give some light, off the cuff anecdote i desired to produce a cool looking mat, which was the initial goal. However, as a designer, I will be trained to create a thing that adds value beyond an idea’s original conception. So let’s breakdown an item designer’s # 1 tool, the Form and Function tool…
FORM
Imagery: When I first conceived the concept of Art Images on Yoga Mats I found the opportunities of imagery to become limitless. From simple graphics, to loved one’s pets, to yoga symbolism and beyond - every image under the sun seemed to be inside my disposal. So for Plank, it was vital to define what makes a Plank image and just what a Plank image isn't. Here's a number of, the what Plank images are NOT…
Cute like Pets. Pretty like Flowers. Cool like Clouds
Gag producing, yoga obvious or generic images, e.g. Lotus flowers, OM symbols or inspirational words like ‘Breathe or Karma’
• Exactly what a Plank image is…
Trompe L’oeil or faux realities
Thought provoking, with several layers of interpretation
Ironic, audacious and relevant
Gallery Quality images
The Photographer: Because of the art quality nature of Plank’s images, we thus desire to use photographers who can meet the design brief and in addition work with the hidden intricacies that go in addition to creating high resolution images for giant surface areas. Because of this initial series of images, we used Christopher Harting, whose ironic stills, skills best captured our intentions. For those that maybe interested, the logistical stories behind the visual stories of each and every yoga mat image, one day I’ll share…
Materials: It's understandable that for Plank, the base material for that yoga mat has to be made with the most recent eco technologies and materials. Of all the materials which can be now available, we used Natural Rubber for the density, natural grip qualities and its ability to breakdown next is up.
FUNCTION
Grip: Being a product developer, when making a product, we are typically presented with a few options that will answer the project brief. It really is our obligation then, to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each and every suggestion. Here is a typical question from my supplier: “Do I want the mat being grippy in hot or room temp yoga classes?” Needless to say, my answer was, “I want the mats to get results for all yoga styles.” To which they asked about, but not using idioms or metaphors, easily want Plank to become a Jack of trades or perhaps a Master of None. That, I responded, “We choose Mastery”. Thus, they presented a grip layer that is activated with the pressure and heat from feet and hands. We got this a chance to create an amazing training tool to build up mastery of Pose Foundations. We all know training tools are not designed to make life easier, in fact they only work when all criteria are properly applied or engaged, e.g. Fitness Balls or SLKZ Refiner Pro Graphite Golf-club. This equipment explain to you the muscles memory required or else you fail. Thus, at Plank we clearly state, we make no apologies in the event you slip when working with a Plank Yoga mat. We would like the practioner to find out and apply every square millimeter of the hands/feet foundations to some PYM, to then witness immediately, an electrical and strength created in their arms or legs. Ideally, once you have gained what we call “Ridiculous Body Awareness” or “Mastery of Foundations” due to using a PYM, Plank want that you should take this insight to practice anywhere, on any surface, with or without a Plank mat.
Like a designer, floating my boat = creating a creation that looks great and is often reward enough. However, creating a product that really can make any difference to an individual’s health and well-being, insurance firms the practioners experience more complex muscle memory, is the most satisfying section of an item designer’s job. Just like the iPhone helps make the complex functions of the computer and telephone seamless and easy, Plank Yoga Mats, through yoga, helps to make the deconstructing from the body’s complex technology to produce optimum body effectiveness of power and/or self-healing, immediate, doable and real.
Gift worthy: Plank Yoga Mats were specifically designed to make gift worthy yoga products. It had been an intentional section of the design brief to produce an opportunity for gift buying that may really make a difference to people’s overall health, whether it be a present to self, for any family member or even a stressed out boss.
Picking a manufacturer: When searching for a manufacturer to create Plank’s Yoga Mats, since the idea of Art on Yoga Mats was but still is new for the yoga market, it was essential to locate a manufacturer who may have ethical business practices and was prepared to investigate and be vested within the concept. Since Plank’s manufacturing partners practice yoga, they previously were coupled to the yoga community, and then for me it absolutely was their mindset that set them apart. Their core vision is to look after the environment, their end consumers as well as their partners. Having been an employee with a lot of manufacturers in Asia and domestically in the usa, you simply know if this is merely talk or possibly the real deal. For me, I don’t try to find Made in USA or Asia. What matters if you ask me, is, Made out of Mutual Respect.
Plank doesn’t mind not being the #1 grippiest yoga mat on the market destination to service all types of yoga styles and levels. However, what matters to Plank is that we are the amount #1 yoga mat to instruct. We teach bigger and freer and much more expansive poses what are results of a muscle memory experience which allows the practioner to understand what it requires to create truly grounded and real solid foundations.