DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
LIARDM : The founding principle of “Shake Off” is the centrality of the human-animal relationship, viewed from a zoo-anthropological perspective. The idea stems from the need to create a device that promotes physical and emotional well-being through a non-invasive and intuitive approach. The inspiration comes from the natural movement of both humans and animals.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
LIARDM : Our goal was to create an innovative design object capable of stimulating and enhancing the human-animal relationship during a critical moment such as grooming and washing. We aimed to design an object that is accessible and engaging for both parties.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
LIARDM : We plan to industrialize the product, exploring potential partnerships with companies in the pet, wellness, and educational sectors. The goal is to bring “Shake Off” into clinical, educational, and recreational contexts, expanding its range of use.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
LIARDM : The concept took about six months, including ideation, prototyping, testing, and final design definition. It was an interdisciplinary design process, enriched by practical field experimentation.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
LIARDM : The project was not commissioned but arose from a personal and professional reflection on the relationship between design, the body, animals, and well-being. We wanted to respond to a real need observed in various educational and rehabilitative settings.
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?
LIARDM : We are currently open to collaborations with companies interested in production and distribution. Our goal is to ensure that the project is developed while respecting the original idea and its ethical and functional values.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
LIARDM : We were driven by the desire to contribute to improving quality of life through a simple object with therapeutic and educational potential. We wanted a product that would stimulate the relationship between humans and animals.
DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
LIARDM : We were influenced by approaches that integrate design, art, and rehabilitation, such as Bruno Munari’s work in educational play and sensory devices developed in neurological and psychomotor fields. Certain theatrical and bodily practices also enriched our research.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
LIARDM : “Shake Off” is designed for a broad audience: children, adults, and the elderly, with or without disabilities. It is suitable for educational, rehabilitative, therapeutic, as well as playful and performative settings, where small to medium-sized dogs become active participants, rather than passive recipients as typically seen in grooming.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
LIARDM : Its strength lies in its simplicity and versatility of use, combined with a form that is evocative but not prescriptive. It is not a sports tool nor a strictly medical device: it is a sensory and postural stimulator that leaves room for personal and creative interpretation.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
LIARDM : The name “Shake Off” refers to the idea of shaking off physical or emotional stiffness. It is an invitation to action, to release, to spontaneous movement. We chose a direct name that is easily understood internationally.
DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
LIARDM : We used 3D modeling software, vector drawing, and rendering tools, as well as hand sketches, scale prototypes, and physical simulations with real materials to test ergonomics and user experience.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
LIARDM : Its most unique aspect is its ability to engage with the body (both human and animal) in a natural way, without technology or digital interfaces, stimulating awareness and movement through physical contact alone.
DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
LIARDM : We collaborated with physiotherapists, educators, psychomotor therapists, veterinarians, and behaviorists who supported us during the testing and validation phases, providing valuable feedback for functional optimization of the product.
DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
LIARDM : In “Shake Off,” technology is kept to a minimum. The project emphasizes physicality, natural materials, and ease of use. It relies more on bodily and emotional intelligence than on artificial intelligence.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
LIARDM : Yes, we conducted qualitative research by observing behaviors in educational and rehabilitative contexts, and analyzing needs related to posture, balance, and body awareness. Field testing guided the iterative design process.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
LIARDM : One of the main challenges was finding a balance between freedom of use and specific functionality avoiding a product that was too restrictive or too vague. Material selection also required experimentation.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
LIARDM : We believed it was important to share the innovative and social value of the project on an international platform, to open up new development opportunities and foster dialogue with a broader network of professionals and companies.
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
LIARDM : We learned to listen to the body as a source of design insight, refining our observation skills and sensitivity to sensory interactions. We also strengthened our expertise in pet design.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
LIARDM : We would like to emphasize how important it is now more than ever to design for the integrated well-being of people and their animal companions, moving beyond the logic of the product to embrace that of experience, care, and relationship.
