NIKE BATTING GLOVES
THE PROBLEM:
Despite the interest that baseball players have shown in Nike's batting gloves, there is a persistent disconnect between user expectations and the actual performance of the gloves. Current Nike batting gloves fail to fully meet the needs and desires of baseball players, leading to dissatisfaction and a search for alternative options. Users are seeking batting gloves that strike the perfect balance between comfort, grip, durability, and style. They desire gloves that provide an excellent tactile feel, enhanced grip on the bat, superior ventilation to minimize sweating, and a design that reflects their personal style and preferences. Addressing this gap and creating a line of batting gloves that aligns closely with user expectations would establish a competitive advantage, foster greater brand loyalty, and cater to the specific needs of baseball players who are searching for high-quality, performance-driven gloves that surpass the limitations of existing options, including those offered by Nike.
THE SOLUTION:
To gain in-depth understanding and inform our product line for years to come, our solution involves conducting an extensive user research project spanning over a 2-year period. This project did encompass various research methodologies such as surveys, interviews, usability testing, and ethnographic studies to gather comprehensive insights into user needs, preferences, and pain points. By immersing ourselves in the users' world, we uncovered nuanced insights that will directly shape our product line. These insights will guide our decision-making process, allowing us to develop products that truly resonate with users and address their specific requirements. By investing substantial time and resources into this long-term user research project, we were committed to creating a product line that is not only informed by current trends but also anticipates and meets the evolving needs of users over an extended period.
MY ROLE:
Senior designer that would collect and process all insight into a story that could be told internally and externally to partners at nike. Worked cross-functionally with product line managers, development, and sales.
Senior designer that would collect and process all insight into a story that could be told internally and externally to partners at nike. Worked cross-functionally with product line managers, development, and sales.
TOOLS:
Adobe illustrator/photoshop, sketching, physical prototypes
Adobe illustrator/photoshop, sketching, physical prototypes
SUCCESS OF THIS PROJECT
JR’S BASEBALL CATEGORY GREW FROM
$3M IN REVENUE TO $14M IN 3 YEARS
$3M IN REVENUE TO $14M IN 3 YEARS
COMPARED TO WHAT NIKE DID IN BATTING
GLOVES, JR NOW DOES 4X THE BUSINESS
GLOVES, JR NOW DOES 4X THE BUSINESS