Samuel Clark
Product Design BDes
Otago Polytechnic
Graduates: 2025
Specialisms: Product Design
My location: Dunedin, New Zealand
Samuel Clark
First Name: Samuel
Last Name: Clark
University / College: Otago Polytechnic
Course / Program: Product Design BDes
Graduates: 2025
Specialisms: Product Design
My Location: Dunedin, New Zealand
About
An industrial product designer with a love of CAD. Ever optimistic, I believe all product-user experiences should be designed not just with satisfaction in mind, but enjoyment, and - wherepossible - fun. Blending uplifting user experience with lifelong quality designs is what I’ve set out to achieve.
This project aimed to design a quality, entry-level toy blaster that is retail safe in Australasia, while being fun and accessible for kids, adults, and pro hobbyists. Sports like airsoft and paintball are fun, but prohibitive entry costs and age restrictions can be discouraging. ‘Dartsoft’ – or ‘Nerf’ – is a great alternative, being cheaper and more readily available. However, the dartsoft blasters (or ‘guns’) available in Australasia are limited in terms of scalability and compatibility with upgrades, forcing local hobbyists to source equipment internationally for themselves and their clubs. Alternative products made for Australasia could help the hobby & sport tremendously. My prototype was developed through extensive research and troubleshooting - from surveys assessing blaster silhouettes for safety, to dozens of digital and physical prototypes of the blaster’s internal mechanisms. While early in development, the Emissary aims to fill the void in the Australasian market, making dartsoft more accessible for everyone.