A v e n   H a r t   D e s i g n

This project is in active development. Its primary goal is to improve grip security while reducing grip effort, especially when fingers are sweaty and slick after a long session. 

While the only instrument I play is piano, I’m developing the project in collaboration with a number of guitarists and bassists who’ve been kind enough to alpha-test the design for me, and who’ve offered invaluable feedback and suggestions.

Version one is designed to be used in two orientations. One side is flat, while the other side is slightly spherical, giving the user a choice between a smooth sound and a sharp, plucky one. The central indentation cradles the fingertips and the channels therein provide space for excess moisture to wick away from the fingertips and evaporate, while the knurling ensures a secure grip at all times.

Version two is designed to be used in a total of six orientations, with each corner rounded to a different radius. It retains the curved and flat sides from version one as well as the central indentation, but the use of all three corners necessitates a grip pattern with three-way symmetry. The indentation’s shape is also altered to create valleys in which the index finger can rest more comfortably, and the surfacing layout and topology has been revised to be more smoothly continuous. I’m currently exploring various grip strategies and geometries with the design; the newest iteration foregoes a textured or knurled grip in favor of a deeper indentation, the ‘walls’ of which help resist lateral motion. This helps avoid the fatigue or discomfort that may result from gripping a rough surface for long durations. Further testing will determine if this strategy is retained on future iterations.