The Pocket Gamer is a video game controller designed to wrap around a smartphone providing quick and easy gaming on the go. Working with a small team at Immersa Labs, we developed a fully functional prototype of the controller. I was responsible for the mechanical design of the device, including the aesthetic design, structural design and integration of the internal electronics (PCBs, batteries, buttons, etc...). Some of the challenges involved with this project were: designing a compact and durable product, complying with Apple's MFi standards,  creating a fully manufacturable product, and working within a tight budget.

The design of the pocket gamer started with open brainstorming, then conceptual sketches were made which were then used to make balsa wood models of the device. This gave a rough idea of size and shape for the controller, which I then translated into 3D CAD. Utilizing CAD I made a series of design revisions leading to the form of the controller shown above.

The initial models have some similar features, but the design evolved over time to be more compact and more ergonomic.