Industrial Designer
Vireon Adaptive
Hiking Stick
A modular, ergonomic walking companion designed for all ages — 3D printed from bio-based materials to support microadventures and daily movement alike.
Breathe In.
Begin Your Microadventure.
British adventurer Alastair Humphreys introduced Microadventure.
It’s a simple, low-cost way to explore nature nearby and step out of your comfort zone—no big trips or expensive gear needed.
A Steady Step Forward
The trail is short. The view is close.
But the body still feels the rise and fall.
A good adventure begins with a steady step and the right companion in your hand.
Your hand, not generic
Every adventure begins with a single grip.
But every hand is different — in shape, strength, and how it holds.
One Shape Fits None
Most trekking poles on the market rely on standardized cylindrical shafts and generic grips — optimized for mass production, not personal connection.
They are designed for everyone. Which means they fit no one.
Could a tool grow with its user — and leave no harm behind?
Benchmark Product
Lightweight
Durable aluminum construction keeps it light and easy to use.
Shock Absorption
Smoothly reduces impact for a more stable trekking experience
Ergonomic Grip
Soft, dual-density EVA foam grips and padded wrist straps ensure a secure and comfortable hold.
Lock System
FlickLock Pro allows quick and secure height adjustment.
Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock Trekking Poles
Knolling
Material & Emissions Breakdown
Interview Insights
Ergonomic grip Mismatch
Trekking pole grips may feel unstable due to variations in hand size or finger length, highlighting the need for customizable grip designs to improve comfort and safety.
Multi-Functional Enhancement
Integrating additional functions such as a detachable water cup or accessory mounts extends the pole’s usability in outdoor scenarios.
Fashion & Appearance
To cater to diverse users, the design embraces aesthetic flexibility through materials, colors, and biophilic inspirations, enhancing both identity and outdoor experience.
Product focus
Lightweight
Growth-Oriented Design
Portable & Lightweight
Durable aluminum construction keeps it light and easy to use.
Durable aluminum construction keeps it light and easy to use.
Ultra-light for effortless carrying, ideal for micro-adventures.
Material Transition
Modular Design
Customization
Explore material changes to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability.
Replaceable grip and locking mechanism for durability.
Customize the grip based on user needs to enhance comfort and showcase personal style.
Sustainable Circular Strategies
Dematerialization & Rematerialization
Leverage generative design to minimize material usage while maintaining structural integrity. Rethink and simplify the existing benchmark product’s components and structure to enhance disassembly and recyclability.
Extended Product Lifecycle & Longevity
Designed to support users of all ages, the cane maximizes durability and adaptability, ensuring prolonged usability and reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Biomimetic & Biophilic Design
Drawing inspiration from biological and botanical forms, the design integrates nature-inspired aesthetics and functionality to enhance both ergonomics and sustainability.
User Persona
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Ollie (5)
Little Explorer
Emma (28)
Urban Explorer
Daniel (35)
Weekend Hiker
Linda (65)
Active Senior
Designed to support users of all ages, the cane maximizes durability and adaptability, ensuring prolonged usability and reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Creative professional, enjoys weekend hikes in forest parks, values nature and aesthetics.
Fast-paced tech manager, takes family on weekend outings, prefers efficient and practical gear.
Retired teacher, enjoys walking, values support and comfort in a trekking pole.
Ideation Sketches
Ideation Prototype
LCA Comparison
Compare and Contrast
Keep vs. Remove list
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AR Hand Scan
The user scans their hand using AR technology to generate a grip uniquely shaped to fit their palm. This ensures ergonomic comfort and a tailored experience from the start.
Your Fit
The user enters their age, height, and weight to calculate the ideal cane height, enabling a more personalized and physically appropriate product.
Your Style, your cane
The user customizes the cane by selecting a preferred color. Once confirmed, the system randomly generates a spiral form along the pole, with an angle ranging from 70° to 90°, giving each cane a unique identity.
All Set!
After completing customization, the user receives a personalized trekking pole along with a unique code, which can be used for future reference or sharing.
Follow Your Cane
The user can track the production and delivery process of their custom cane in real time, from order placement to shipment and arrival.
Your Activity, Visualized
The system records and visualizes the user’s daily hiking data, including routes, total hiking time, and weekly activity trends — making their effort visible and trackable.
Capture Your Trails
The user can log each hiking journey in a trail journal, saving unforgettable moments through text, images, duration, and location for future reflection.
Cane Condition Monitoring
Based on the user's hiking history and usage duration, the system periodically initiates a cane condition check.
It reminds the user to rescan their hand for ergonomic updates, re-customize the grip if necessary, or replace the tip for optimal performance and comfort.
Prototype Process
Material and Finish Specs
Shaft
Bio-based PA11 + carbon fiber
Dyed bio-material, matte finish
Grip
Bio-based TPU
Molded matte
Ferrule & Mud Basket
Bio-based PA11 + carbon fiber
Dyed bio-material, matte finish
Tip
Recycled tungsten alloy
Brushed recycled metal,
no coating
Colorways
