CLIPBAR
CLIPBAR
14 Weeks · Will Tyrrell and Annaliese Michalski · 2025 · Ohio State
Designing a Modern Clip Clip
Through design research in the kitchen space, we created the ClipBar, a new home for your chip clips. The ClipBar tidies up your kitchen drawers while also adding a visual pop of art to your walls. This product was designed to be sold at Ohio State's 8th Annual Winter Market.
Designing a Modern Clip Clip
Through design research in the kitchen space, we created the ClipBar, a new home for your chip clips. The ClipBar tidies up your kitchen drawers while also adding a visual pop of art to your walls. This product was designed to be sold at Ohio State's 8th Annual Winter Market.
Read More About the Market
ClipBar Overview Video
Founded in Ethnographic Research
This project began with close observation of how everyday objects actually lived and moved within participants’ kitchens. By studying their habits, routines, and the small patterns that often go unnoticed, we uncovered meaningful behaviors that shaped how these spaces functioned. From these discoveries, we distilled our research into three clear, actionable design insights that guided the direction of the project.
Founded in Ethnographic Research
This project began with close observation of how everyday objects actually lived and moved within participants’ kitchens. By studying their habits, routines, and the small patterns that often go unnoticed, we uncovered meaningful behaviors that shaped how these spaces functioned. From these discoveries, we distilled our research into three clear, actionable design insights that guided the direction of the project.
Group Brainstorming Workshop
Collaborating closely with my classmates, I helped lead a structured brainstorming session that mapped the connections between our design insights, key home-goods categories, existing market research, and the functional needs we had identified. This process allowed us to surface meaningful opportunities and establish a strong foundation for the next phase of development.
Group Brainstorming Workshop
Collaborating closely with my classmates, I helped lead a structured brainstorming session that mapped the connections between our design insights, key home-goods categories, existing market research, and the functional needs we had identified. This process allowed us to surface meaningful opportunities and establish a strong foundation for the next phase of development.
Sketch Iterations
Sketch Iterations
Design Freeze
One month before the Winter Market, we paused our design exploration to present two refined concepts grounded in our research. A panel of judges selected the direction they believed had the strongest market potential, and we moved forward by producing a small batch of ten finished pieces for sale at the event.
Design Freeze
One month before the Winter Market, we paused our design exploration to present two refined concepts grounded in our research. A panel of judges selected the direction they believed had the strongest market potential, and we moved forward by producing a small batch of ten finished pieces for sale at the event.
Final Form Iteration
After choosing the Clip Bar concept, we began refining the final form of both the clip and the bar. We explored a range of more complex shapes, but ultimately arrived at a simple triangular design that felt purposeful and versatile—something that could fit naturally into any kitchen while still making a subtle statement.
Final Form Iteration
After choosing the Clip Bar concept, we began refining the final form of both the clip and the bar. We explored a range of more complex shapes, but ultimately arrived at a simple triangular design that felt purposeful and versatile—something that could fit naturally into any kitchen while still making a subtle statement.
Sustainability
We manufactured our product using fully recycled PET-G sourced from GreenGate 3D. Beyond material choice, our sustainability goal focused on giving emotional value and longevity to an object that’s typically inexpensive and disposable. ClipBar transforms the ordinary chip clip into a purposeful, durable item that is meant to stay in use rather than get lost or forgotten in a drawer.
Sustainability
We manufactured our product using fully recycled PET-G sourced from GreenGate 3D. Beyond material choice, our sustainability goal focused on giving emotional value and longevity to an object that’s typically inexpensive and disposable. ClipBar transforms the ordinary chip clip into a purposeful, durable item that is meant to stay in use rather than get lost or forgotten in a drawer.
Compliant Mechanism Testing
We initially explored compliant 3D-printed mechanisms to create the clamping action. After extensive prototyping, we found they couldn’t provide reliable long-term spring performance within our project timeline.
Compliant Mechanism Testing
We initially explored compliant 3D-printed mechanisms to create the clamping action. After extensive prototyping, we found they couldn’t provide reliable long-term spring performance within our project timeline.
Hardware
After testing several compliant mechanism concepts, I shifted to a more reliable pin-and-spring assembly sourced from McMaster-Carr to achieve the desired motion within the clips. Standard fridge magnets were incorporated to give each clip a clean, secure attachment to the stainless steel bar.
Hardware
After testing several compliant mechanism concepts, I shifted to a more reliable pin-and-spring assembly sourced from McMaster-Carr to achieve the desired motion within the clips. Standard fridge magnets were incorporated to give each clip a clean, secure attachment to the stainless steel bar.
Final Clip Form
After extensive test prints to refine the hardware fit, spring action, and overall form, I arrived at this angular design for the final chip clip.
Final Clip Form
After extensive test prints to refine the hardware fit, spring action, and overall form, I arrived at this angular design for the final chip clip.
Bar Design
Annaliese took the lead on designing and fabricating the bar. The main steel panel provides the strength needed to grab the clips, while a custom vinyl graphic elevates the visual character of the piece. This panel is enclosed within a 3D-printed frame that adds both structure and refinement. The frame also incorporates discreet guide slots for Command Strips, making the bar easy to mount in any space.
Bar Design
Annaliese took the lead on designing and fabricating the bar. The main steel panel provides the strength needed to grab the clips, while a custom vinyl graphic elevates the visual character of the piece. This panel is enclosed within a 3D-printed frame that adds both structure and refinement. The frame also incorporates discreet guide slots for Command Strips, making the bar easy to mount in any space.
Packaging
The packaging was crafted from laser-engraved and cut corrugated cardboard. By engraving the graphics, featuring clean linework of the final ClipBar design, instead of printing them, we were able to maintain a refined look while keeping production costs low.
Packaging
The packaging was crafted from laser-engraved and cut corrugated cardboard. By engraving the graphics, featuring clean line work of the final ClipBar design, instead of printing them, we were able to maintain a refined look while keeping production costs low.
Insert Card
I designed an insert card that clearly communicates both the hanging process and the product’s care instructions, creating a smooth experience for the customer. The final cards were printed on matte photo paper for a refined tactile quality, and I hand-painted the edges black to give each piece a crisp, finished look.
Insert Card
I designed an insert card that clearly communicates both the hanging process and the product’s care instructions, creating a smooth experience for the customer. The final cards were printed on matte photo paper for a refined tactile quality, and I hand-painted the edges black to give each piece a crisp, finished look.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing
Winter Market Booth
We designed a custom shelving stand to showcase our products at the Winter Market. Our full production run of ten units sold out in under an hour, confirming the appeal of the ClipBar. We’re proud that it found a place as a small statement piece in our customers’ homes.
Winter Market Booth
We designed a custom shelving stand to showcase our products at the Winter Market. Our full production run of ten units sold out in under an hour, confirming the appeal of the ClipBar. We’re proud that it found a place as a small statement piece in our customers’ homes.
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Want to see more?
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Liked what you saw?
Get in touch
Want to see more?
Back to portfolio