wireless gaming controllers for pre-teens grip around hands with sea horse-inspired ridges

"The designer's reference for the shape was the seahorse because it holds its body in a vertical position. It has a curved spine that bends from the head to the tail, and along the length of its torso, the seahorse has a series of bony rings that create this series of rigid slides. Then, the head of the seahorse sits at the top of that curve, and the snout extends forward."

"Looking at the design, the body of each stick cap curves inward and widens. The base, where the cap meets the controller stick, is the widest point on the lower half. The top, where the thumb rests, is the widest point on the upper half. From here, the midsection narrows, giving the thumb a point of contact at the top and a seat at the bottom."

"The ridges on the lower half of the body of the concept wireless gaming controllers LEVION run in horizontal bands. They sit at even intervals, similar to the ones on a seahorse. In the device, the ridges split the index finger and the base of the thumb for when the hand wraps around the lower portion of the cap when the user is playing for a long time."

LEVION is a concept wireless gaming controller designed specifically for pre-teens aged 9-12, featuring thumbstick caps for PlayStation controllers. The design draws inspiration from seahorse anatomy, incorporating four key elements: an upright stance, curved spine, ridged surface, and proportioned head. The stick caps feature an ergonomic curved body that widens at the base where it meets the controller and at the top where the thumb rests, with a narrowed midsection providing contact points. Horizontal ridges run along the lower half at even intervals, separating the index finger and thumb base during extended play sessions. The top surface displays PlayStation button symbols as texture only, accompanied by a raised circular pad.

Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine