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Client
BOB
year
2022
Project
Solid Soap Applicator
Disciplines
Industrial Design
ENGINEERING
Colour, Material, Finish
Design for Manufacture
Art Direction
ENGINEERING
Colour, Material, Finish
Design for Manufacture
Art Direction
Every year, 1.4 billion plastic body wash bottles are thrown away. Bob set out to change this. Their mission was to create the world’s first refillable body wash bar system, built for men and turning a wasteful habit into a cleaner, greener ritual. The challenge was clear, design an applicator that makes solid soap as convenient, lathery, and satisfying as bottled body wash, while staying skin-friendly and fully sustainable.
INtroduction
Our starting point was understanding why existing solutions fail. Traditional bars are messy to store, difficult to travel with, low-lather, and often too harsh on skin. We worked closely with Bob to design around these four pain points. Over a six-month development process, we prototyped and tested multiple mechanisms and forms, sculpting an applicator that feels intuitive in the hand and natural to use in the shower.
The problem
We engineered an easy reload refill system that positions each bar at the optimal height for use. Test rigs explored dozens of silicone bristle configurations, refining the feel of lather against the body and maximising soap coverage. Alongside the hardware, we helped refine Bob’s formula - pH 5.5 bar that matches the skin’s natural balance, enriched with sustainable ingredients and free from sulphates, parabens, and other harsh chemicals. Every prototype loop, from locking mechanisms to ergonomic grip, was tested and rebuilt until the experience felt seamless.
the solution
The final Bob system is a clean, complete alternative to bottled body wash. The medical-grade silicone applicator is durable, non-slip, and shaped to fit comfortably in the palm. Each plastic-free refill lasts around 30 showers, delivered direct to your door as part of Bob’s soapscription model. The applicator is waterproof, travel-proof (with a snap-on lid), and lab-tested to withstand years of daily use. More than just body wash, Bob is designed for body, face, and hair a single object that simplifies routines while cutting plastic waste.
Testing
Bob’s vision is to become the world’s cleanest soapscription, not only using the most sustainable ingredients and packaging but working with the greenest partners and distribution channels too. Together, we created a system that’s smoother, smarter, and better for both people and planet.
vision
