PPT

The Challenge

Guy Gober and Garrett Stigall had built something remarkable: a device that eliminates pool algae using sound waves instead of chemicals. They'd won the UGA FABricate Grand Prize. Pool Magazine had named it a "New Product to Watch." The technology was proven.

But they were two engineering graduates with a startup budget, not a Fortune 500 R&D; department. The top industrial design firms wanted retainers they couldn't afford and timelines that didn't match their runway. They needed a design partner who understood startup constraints, believed in what they were building, and could help them bring S.A.M. to market without compromising on quality.

That's why they came to us.

Why This Product Matters

Every year, pool owners dump millions of pounds of chlorine and algaecides into their water. Those chemicals don't just stay in the pool. They evaporate into the air families breathe. They splash onto skin and into eyes. They backwash into groundwater. They corrode equipment and fade liners.

S.A.M. offers a different path.

The device floats in your pool and emits ultrasonic sound waves that target algae at the cellular level. The waves cause gas vesicles within algae cells to rupture. Without these vesicles, algae sinks, can't photosynthesize, and dies. No chemicals required.

The result: up to 70% reduction in chemical usage. Cleaner water. Healthier swimming. Less chemical runoff into the environment. This isn't just a better pool product. It's a better way to live.

Our Thinking

We prioritized three things: simplicity, user interaction, and environmental impact.

Pool products are often ugly, utilitarian objects that homeowners hide or tolerate. We saw an opportunity to create something different. Something people would actually want in their backyard. Something that looked as clean as the technology inside.

Every detail was intentional. The rubber knob texture. The rhythm of the lighting. The way it sits in the water. This wasn't just about function. It was about feeling. We wanted users to trust it, enjoy using it, and feel good about what it means for their family's health and the planet.

The Solution

We immersed ourselves in user research, material testing, and concept development to create a product that's as beautiful as it is effective.

Tactile Rubber Control Knob

Pool owners interact with wet hands in bright sunlight. The control needed to feel intuitive without looking at it. We engineered a knob with satisfying tactile feedback that communicates "quality" the moment you touch it.

Expressive Lighting Cues

Built-in LED lighting communicates device status intuitively. No complex interfaces. No smartphone apps required. You glance at it and know it's working.

Durable, Minimal Form Factor

S.A.M. floats in plain sight, so it needed to look like it belongs in a modern backyard. We designed a form that withstands tough outdoor conditions (UV exposure, pool chemicals, temperature swings) while communicating "clean technology," not industrial equipment.

Eco-Forward Aesthetic

The visual language reinforces the mission. This is a product that protects your pool and the environment. The design needed to feel as forward-thinking as the technology inside.

The Outcome

The redesigned S.A.M. is now in production, ready to change how families care for their pools:

For people:

• Healthier swimming with fewer harsh chemicals
• Intuitive controls anyone can use

For planet:

• Up to 70% reduction in chemical usage
• Less chlorine and algaecide entering groundwater • A more sustainable approach to pool ownership

For the founders:

• A design that matches their innovation
• A partner who worked within their budget • A product ready for market

Why We Took This Project

Guy and Garrett weren't just building a pool gadget. They were trying to change an industry that hasn't innovated in decades. They had the engineering. They had the proof points. What they needed was a design partner who genuinely cared about their mission.

That's the work we exist to do.

The world doesn't need more plastic clutter. It needs products that protect the environment and improve health outcomes. S.A.M. does both. We were proud to help bring it to life.