DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
PGL : Making the design of Tickless Run was a long way. It started with the idea of making an ultrasonic tick repellent for people which is rechargeable thus provides long-lasting solutions against parasites and it is more sustainable. Our goal with Tickless Run was to bring a less beautiful product like a tick repellent to market in the most fashionable form possible, to help as many people as possible choose conscious tick control and raise awareness of the importance of prevention.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
PGL : It is especially designed for runners; with all the functions we try to provide the most innovative solution against ticks. The ergonomic function and light weight ensure that is not disturbing while running. Thanks to the super strong fastening it remains fixed during moving, and easy to attach to the shoelaces, but because of the method of fixing it is hard to lose. We strive for sustainability and rechargability was our starting point.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
PGL : Our future goal is to promote safe outdoor sports, which requires a fashionable device that is already more complementary. As we only launched Tickless Run this year, we have many untapped opportunities on the market. Our products for pets have already protected more than half a million pets around the world, and our products for humans have been sold in similar numbers this year.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
PGL : It took a couple of months of designing the device. The shape and size of this battery gave the base of this revolutionary product and the design was determined by the method of attachment, the side tabs.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
PGL : This was a joint project between the designer company, Remion Design Ltd., and us, the project owner and manufacturer company, ProtectOne Ltd. Our company had the idea of making a rechargeable ultrasonic tick repeller which can be easy to use and perfectly fits for the shoes. They carried out the design process according to our requests.
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?
PGL : This product is owned by ProtectOne Ltd. Our manufacturing company has the exclusive rights to produce and sell this product to distributor around the world. Our Tickless products are present in 50+ countries on five continents.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
PGL : ProtectOne is an innovation driven company focused on providing chemical-free solutions against parasites. We continuously innovate at ProtectOne; thus, our product range is expanding year by year. Creating a new, customer friendly product for humans was a priority for us. Our number one priority in product development is to become more sustainable, and all our product development is dedicated to creating more sustainable products.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
PGL : Tickless Run is especially designed for runners and active sportsmen to make their time tick free and easier.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
PGL : There is no other tick repellent on the market which is chemical-free and odorless, works with ultrasonic technology, rechargeable and has been sold in 50+ countries on 5 continents.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
PGL : It was very easy, the name based on the target group we focused on while come up with the design and our brand Tickless. Our target group is “runners”, so we gave the name for the product Tickless Run.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
PGL : Tickless Run is 100% chemical-free, this device is the smallest rechargeable tick repeller on the market which can be attached to the shoelaces and it is ultralight and the method of attachment is super strong.
DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
PGL : This was a joint project between Remion Design Ltd and ProtectOne Ltd.
DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
PGL : Tickless technology is based on ultrasonic waves. We have designed Tickless tick repellents in a unique and innovative way without the use of chemicals. Tickless is working on 40 kHz frequency, this disturb ticks and fleas, thus keeping them away.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
PGL : We conducted a poll to assess the market demand for our product.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
PGL : The whole project was a challenge, as we had to make something which is easy to attach, stay motionless, rechargeable, so we incorporate the electronics in as small form as possible.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
PGL : We looked for prestigious and internationally recognized award which prove that our brand is essential solution against ticks for people who refuse to use chemicals against parasites. We thought that A’ Design Awards could provide our brand a good reputation and reliability.
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
PGL : We had to redesign the attachment method several times, but we did not give up because we knew we could find the perfect solution.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
PGL : The most important message we would like to spread is “that prevention is more important than treatment.” That is the reason why our products are all chemical- and fragrance-free, provide all year-long protection and environmentally friendly. As ultrasonic technology is relatively new on the parasitic market, we are able to present official research materials that demonstrate the safety and efficacy of our products. Tickless products are preventive solutions. Therefore, we hope to be able to elicit long-term social impacts from people to consciously defend themselves against parasites in a chemical-free way, be it ticks, fleas, or dust mites and use no toxic substances, thus reducing the use of chemicals spreading into the world. We would like our products to be seen as an essential solution that is as effective as chemical tick repellents but does not cause an allergic reaction, has no side effects and has no negative impact on their direct or indirect environment. Creating a new, customer friendly product for humans was a priority for us. All our product developments are dedicated to creating a more sustainable environment. Our new Tickless Run is more comfortable to wear, even easier to use. Thanks to its rechargeability, we can use the products for a longer period of time and thus reduce not only the amount of chemicals but also the amount of waste.
In 2020, our two other products won two international design awards: the BigSEE Design Awards in the Product Design category with Tickless Mini; and the Luxlife magazine’s ’Most Innovative Child and Baby Safe Tick and Flea Repellent’ award with our Tickless Baby and Kid products.
