Shogun Squash Paddle Design
Blade is a professional squash team based out of Hong Kong. I came across the opportunity to custom make their next paddle and this is the design process behind it
Blade is a team consisting of some of the most skillful and passionate squash players from around the world. They sell high quality rackets and paddles only for the best of the best.
I worked directly with Phil Head. Phil has been a professional squash tour player and coach for over 30 years. He reached a world ranking of 140, and has worked as a squash professional in various clubs and countries in the world, most recently the Head Squash Professional at the Hong Kong Football Club for the past 24 years. During his tenure in Asia, Phil has won a record 10 Asian Jumbo Doubles Championship Titles.
His longstanding connections with the Manufacturing factories in China and Taiwan give Blade an advantageous insight into new innovative construction materials, ideas and designs, combined with his passion for Japanese martial arts and his desire to be a warrior on the court, Phil has created BLADE, the next level in squash technology, racket design and equipment. And I had the honor of working with him.
The design process for this paddle was quick and easy. Phil Head wanted a simple design of just a Shogun head and some text. This was the image illustrated to use on the face of the paddle and served as the paddles main design.
This font was chosen too mirror the exact font used on their BLADE logo.
And this is the final mock up of the glade Shogun squash paddle.