The Tira hammer is part of a group-designed tool set for creating string art. My contribution centered on reimagining the hammer, making it more suitable for this art form.
Year Spring 2024
Time 10 weeks
Team 3 members
String art is a decorative craft where patterns are created by weaving string around a series of nails fixed to a flat surface, such as wood. By carefully arranging the nails and threading the string between them, intricate designs emerge. While visually striking, the process requires precision, as even small misalignments in nail placement or string tension can disrupt the final design.
Most hammers are too big for the task. Long handles are hard to control and do not offer precision, often causing nails to go in at odd angles.
Small enough to hold in one hand, strong enough to drive nails.
Clear use and function.
Second function, remove
nails.
Mechanics to automate task of hammering.
As a group, we created a visual language to ensure cohesion across our three tools.
We decided to design using blunt and geometric forms with rounded corners and smooth finishes for a solid, industrial feeling.
I began by thinking of the simple act of hitting a nail, and avoided using traditional hammers as a reference point.
I wanted it to be compact and fit in one hand. My main goal was to remove the handle entirely to avoid injury and unnecessary force.
Once I decided on the scale of my tool, I began finding what would fit the most comfortably in a hand.
I also started looking for a way to remove nails easily.
My first functional prototype was a small box, meant to fit in one hand. The sides had shallow insets to illustrate how to hold it. I added a piece of steel tubing for weight and an adjustable tab on the side for easy nail removal.
Based on my observations from the previous test, I decided to replace the retractable tab with a tiny slit for better usability. I also made the body a bit larger to accommodate larger hands and add some mass.
After two testing rounds, I refined the design by adding texture to touch points for clarity of use.
To improve access to smaller spaces, I heavily chamfered the base, reducing surface area without losing weight.
The nail removal slot was scaled up for visibility, and an extrusion on the top half was added for better palm support, enhancing stability and creating a more dynamic form.
My final prototype was crafted using a cold casting process, starting with a silicone mold created from a positive form. Steel powder was then combined with epoxy and poured into the mold, resulting in a durable, polished tool.
The final design includes textured touch points for grip, a chamfered base for tight spaces, a scaled nail removal slot for visibility, and a palm-fitting extrusion for stability, all in a compact, precision-focused form.
Following the guidelines we created, my group and I were able to design an entire toolkit for string art, including a pen for guiding string and a nail guide to keep fingers safe when arranging nails.
Coated in a semi-gloss Pantone 12-4301 tcx (almond milk) to align with the family of tools.
I explored some other options for color. A few of my favorites are:
Pantone 14-045 (Bright Chartruse)
Pantone Warm Gray 10c
Pantone PMS 7545C (Gray Blue)
This project was an opportunity to merge creativity with practical problem-solving. Designing a tool for a specific task pushed me to think outside the box and focus on user experience. It was exciting to work within a group, each of us tackling different pain points, and collaborating to ensure cohesion across our designs . I particularly enjoyed refining the hammer’s design through multiple rounds of testing, which taught me the importance of iteration and feedback.
