Project description

Identity Pool represents and highlights the social challenges and issues faced every day by individuals of differing identities, such as race, religion, gender, or sexuality.

This project uses the disruption of games as a conversation starter so discussions about identity can be had, resulting in education on these topics and creating understanding and acceptance for individuals with differing identities.   

The ten-piece product set redesigns the game of pool by making it harder for one of the players to play using obstacles, obstructions and adaptations. A curved cue, table obstructions, pocket blockers, and chalk make up the set. These products act as physical tools in a form of kinaesthetic learning, with the obstacles portraying the social challenges faced that link to identity.

One player plays a normal game of pool while the other player uses all the elements in the set, so they experience the often unseen struggles and challenges that are encountered.   

Throughout the game, players can then have discussions concerning identity and the difficulties that they have faced. To allow each unique experience of identity to be represented, each player writes down what they have learnt ensuring the challenges are represented, appreciated, and understood.

Identity Pool Product Set

The Cue Curve screws into a 2 piece cue and is designed to distort the pool cue to make potting the balls physically challenging. 

The Table Obstructions consist of 3 cast glass elements. Together, they can be assembled to form a cone structure; separately, they can be placed anywhere on the pool table, disrupting and making the potting of balls more difficult. The fracturing of the cone into separate elements intends to convey how individuals are not always accepted in their entirety based on their identity. In particular, the use of glass as a material represents that players should be transparent with their conversations, talking openly about their experiences with identity. Glass is also a common material found in pubs, notably for glasses and ashtrays, further complementing the pool aesthetic associated with pub environments. 

The Pocket Blockers are slotted into the corner pockets to prevent balls from being potted. They are made from MDF and covered in red felt. They only slot into the corner pockets as they are easier pockets to pot the balls into, this leaves the player with only 1 corner pocket and 2 side pockets. 

The chalk includes the Identity Pool logo, the slogan ‘The Education of Identity through the Disruption of Games’ on the bottom, and my brand logo on the side. I aligned the graphics to original pool cue chalk packaging in order to uphold a traditional pool aesthetic.

Identity Pool the Video
Identity Pool expand
Identity Pool
Identity Pool Box expand
Identity Pool Box
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Product Design - BA (Hons)
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