Our industrial design team worked with Lil Goodie Shoppe to understand their dream at its core, along with their must-haves, nice-to-haves, and storage needs. Aside from building a cart strong enough to hold the 250lb soft serve machine, one of the biggest challenges we faced was designing around the constraint of the trailer. Before we took to the drawing board, we determined the maximum dimensions each cart could be so that the trailer could safely transport and store four at once.
We sketched out a series of different concepts to see what aspects resonated the most aesthetically and functionally with Lil Goodie Shoppe before arriving at our final design intent which would:
- Support the weight of the soft serve machine and allow it to mount and dismount from the cart
- Roll well in different conditions (across grass, gravel, concrete) via rugged wheels and locking swivel casters
- Provide shade to the cart attendant, machine, and topping counter with a removable branded awning
- Include glossy, smooth surfaces that are easy to clean and weather resistant for outdoor occasions
- Incorporate ample storage space within the cart for extra toppings, supplies, and a pull-out cooler for refill product
- Showcase an old-timey, charming, and nostalgic look that gives people of all ages a reason to smile
After modeling and rendering visuals of the cart design, we connected and collaborated with local fabricators to not only bring the Lil Goodie Shoppe carts to life, but give some personality to the truck and trailer with a graphic wrap as well!
