HEAD: TRY-B4-U BUY
Location: Sheffield UK
Date: January 2025 - May 2025
Project Description
Project Description
As part of a design and innovation challenge with HEAD, a global leader in racquet sports, our team addressed a critical barrier to padel's worldwide growth: the high cost of entry and
lack of confidence in equipment selection. Despite padel's rapid expansion to over 25 million players across 90+ countries, amateur players consistently hesitated to invest £100-£300 in racquets without the ability to trial them first. Using the Double Diamond design framework, we conducted extensive user research through interviews with players across skill levels and padel clubs in the UK and US. Our solution: a "Try-B4-U-Buy" subscription service allowing players to rent 1-8 HEAD racquets per month, delivered to their doorstep in a custom reusable backpack, with the option to purchase at a discount after demoing.
Key Highlights:
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User-Centered Design: Conducted 15+ user interviews across beginner to advanced players, iterating prototypes based on direct feedback
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Strategic Innovation: Developed HEAD's first-mover advantage in padel rental services, positioning them as industry innovators while driving direct website traffic and sales
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Full Service Design: Created complete user journey maps, designed interactive website mockups, developed racquet recommendation quiz, and integrated personal archive system for tracking demos and reviews
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Business Impact: Solution addresses a 30-million-player market segment while providing HEAD with valuable customer data to inform future product development
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Skills Demonstrated: User research & interviews, stakeholder mapping, prototyping & iteration, journey mapping, UX/UI design, business model development, design thinking frameworks