Clippers For Self-Haircuts
CUTCAM Inc.
Derek Silverio - Lead Designer, CDO
ID / CAD / VBL / CFM / HF / UI+UX / GD
Leardon Solutions - ME / EE / HW / FW
CUTCAM™ is the first patented hair clipper that integrates a portable streaming camera to see behind your head, LIVE, from any smartphone or Wi-Fi-enabled screen.
The Problem
I cofounded CUTCAM Inc., a company and brand that addresses the difficulty of do-it-yourself haircuts.
The global COVID-19 lockdowns highlighted this problem, as many opted to try cutting their hair as barbershops and salons closed.
DIY haircuts are challenging because it's hard to see where the clipper blade cuts, especially from a comfortable angle.
Our innovative solution combines advanced computing with traditional precision hardware. Its built-in Wi-Fi camera revolutionizes DIY grooming by eliminating the need for complex bathroom setups or reliance on mirrors.
Business Case
Design Strategy
To wrap, or not to wrap? We wrestled with that question when focusing on a “universal” camera that would wrap around existing clippers. Another path would be to create a new product leveraging OEM motor/blade assemblies and integrate our camera. We could move confidently forward only after diving into the pros and cons of each with physical testing.
A GoPro mounted to a hair clipper. This was the idea.
While I found high variations in current clipper housing forms, the cross sections wrapped around an existing clipper fall into two overall shapes: 1) Round and 2) Flat.
However, as we tested across popular clippers, avoiding interference with critical parts like displays, ON/OFF switches, and dials became cumbersome as the camera moved unpredictably under vibration and when readjusting hand position.
Development
We decided to integrate the camera and communications technology into an existing full-sized clipper body to reduce the complexity of fitting around most clippers on the market and optimize the user experience.
Market Validation
Connect App iOS/Android
Derek Silverio, Scott Tsukamaki - UI/UX
CUTCAM Inc.
ID / UI, UX / VBL
Here is the native camera feed from the IP camera shown on a smartphone screen. A lot of time was dedicated to eliminating latency and optimizing the connectivity between devices.
Shown is one conceptual interface with many compelling features. However, based on user feedback from live demos, we needed to prioritize only the most essential ones to meet the target MVP launch date.
DFM / DFA
