Boulderball Training Tool and Game by Martin Oberhauser

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DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

MO : The concept was to create a game that simulates a climbing wall.

DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

MO : The goal was to collaboratively develop a game with the customer that enhances both agility and strategic thinking.

DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?

MO : We are currently working on developing two additional games.

DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

MO : Almost 1.5 years.

DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

MO : It was a customer order.

DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?

MO : It is produced by Climball.

DI: What made you design this particular type of work?

MO : Passion for Problem-Solving.

DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?

MO : The design of climbing walls.

DI: Who is the target customer for his design?

MO : The target customer is anyone who wants to train their strategic thinking and skills.

DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?

MO : The concept is unique because, for the primary structure, there is only one identical element, and it is held together by the grips.

DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?

MO : The name describes the function, a ball on which you can bouldering.

DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?

MO : 3D CAD Software, 3D printing.

DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?

MO : The most unique aspect of the Boulderball design is its status as the smallest bouldering wall in the world. This innovative tool combines training and gaming, making it the first of its kind to offer both functionalities. The Boulderball is designed to enhance skills in a compact and versatile format, enabling users to practice bouldering in limited spaces with a high degree of challenge and engagement.

DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?

MO : Yes, with the producer.

DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?

MO : With 3D printing, the iteration process is significantly accelerated.

DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?

MO : In this instance, there were no available data.

DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?

MO : The main challenge is always to reduce costs.

DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

MO : We received an advice.

DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?

MO : Through designing this project, I have also improved my skills.

DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

MO : Stay tuned, more designs like this are coming.