ICON CASE

Less Bulky, More Rugged

Brand: Incase
Launch: 2015

“Precision fit with a non-slip, textured pattern and TENSAERLITE impact technology for maximum, streamlined protection”

Protective frame absorbs impact and distributes shock and the raised bezel around perimeter keeps screen protected while the durable hard-shell exterior provides surface protection. Precision-engineered design provides full access to all ports and controls.

Multiple black smartphones arranged in a row on a yellow and white background.

BRAND GUIDE

A collection of black and gray tech accessories and bags, including backpacks, cases, and electronic devices, arranged in two rows.
A dark-themed infographic listing eight brand design principles from Incase, numbered 1 to 8, with brief descriptions for each principle.
A man in casual clothing with a backpack and camera walking on city street, smiling, with tall buildings and pedestrians in the background.
People walking on airport tarmac with airplane in background, orange traffic cone in foreground, and mountains in the distance.
Two skateboarders performing tricks on a city street sidewalk, with people sitting and walking nearby and a colorful mural on the wall behind them.
Diagram showing three key cultures: Action, Vision, and Sound, with overlapping areas labeled for different user groups and influencers, alongside descriptive text on consumer lifestyles and platform performance.

PROCESS

Sketches of a smartphone case design, showing different views, textures, and internal features, with handwritten notes about materials and design considerations.

DEVELOPMENT

Screenshot of a product description for a rugged iPhone case, including usage, requirements, considerations, distribution, competition, and pricing information.

PROJECT BRIEF
Received a project brief from a Product Manager. Reviewed requirements, competitors’ products, identified pros and cons before the ideation started.

Sketch of three phone cases with different color accents, all featuring a dotted pattern. The first case has yellow accents, the second has blue accents, and the third has yellow accents. The cases are positioned side by side, showing the back view.

IDEATION
Explored various shapes, constructions and CMF options through sketches.

Three grey phone cases with different designs displayed upright.

CONCEPT VARIATION
Explored various concept variations and subsequently reviewed them with stakeholders for feedback and input.

A technical diagram with a 3D model of a smartphone case, color-coded to show thickness measurements, and two 3D visualizations highlighting the thickness variation. The text indicates adjustments to tape thickness and notes the average and maximum thickness in millimeters.

ENGINEERIING
Collaborated with mechanical engineers and overseas development team on DFM build.

Close-up of a black smartphone with annotated notes indicating areas for repair, including bleeding and melting on the parting line of the first and second shots of the back cover, and a suggested groove around the edge of the back, like incipio level 3.

SAMPLE DEVELOPMENT & IMPROVEMENT
Collaborated with the engineers to create injection molded samples and reviewed details for improvements to be made.

A split view photograph showing a close-up of a metallic piece on the left and a scientific experimental setup with measuring devices, wires, and metallic components on the right.

PRODUCT TESTING
The engineers devised a specialized testing protocol and developed drop test equipment to assess the product's strength and iPhone protection capabilities.

Array of Apple iPhones in white and silver, front and back views, displayed against a black background.
A white smartphone with a textured back and a camera at the top left corner, set against a black background.
A white rectangular electronic device with multiple ports on one side, resting on a black background. The device has a textured surface with small holes and the brand name "Incase" embossed on it.
Multiple disassembled smartphone cases in black, gray, and lime green colors, arranged in an exploded view against a black background.
Two black protective phone cases with textured interior surfaces, shown against a black background, one with the brand name TensaerLite
Two phone cases with yellow edges, one transparent with black interior on a black background.
Multiple colored smartphone cases with perforated textures lying on a black surface.
Two boxes of Incase iPhone cases, one showing the front of a case with a black and green design, the other showing the back of a case with a black and yellow design.
Black background with the word "Incose" in bold white lowercase letters, with a stylized leaf symbol to the left of the text.
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