The Studio dove in, creating sketches of different forms - changing placement of small parts bins at the edge of the mat, adding raised feet, finding solutions that ensure the mat center would stay lightweight. We streamlined the entire design, avoiding the bulky, boxy organizational systems used by competitors.
We also knew that the project mat and tray had to be cohesive within the iFixIt ecosystem. We led a graphics exploration, determining what information was most vital to users for organizing a project - grids, labels, a whiteboard surface, reminders about ESD and electronic safety.
The final solution leans into the look of a classic blueprint, which is fun for anyone working on a project while also helping to provide contrast with small parts that are frequently black or uncolored metal.