Ergonomic Toothbrush For Pepsodent
Backed by
The Challenge
Creating a premium-feeling toothbrush for Southeast Asia demanded high usability, strong visual appeal, and lower material usage without increasing cost. Unilever needed a product that stood out, performed better, and scaled efficiently across mass markets.
Design Thinking Process For Oral Care Products
Analogy applied a structured design thinking process rooted in human centered design to address usability, comfort, and cost constraints. Through design research, ergonomic analysis, and design engineering, the team optimized grip geometry, brush angles, and material thickness. Design for manufacturing and value engineering ensured the toothbrush could be produced at scale while maintaining structural integrity and premium perception.
Working closely with Unilever, Analogy designed the Pepsodent toothbrush for Southeast Asia in 2024–25, addressing both functional and emotional needs.
Daily oral care became an experience of comfort, confidence, and quiet luxury.
The project began with deep design research into emerging markets, focusing on oral care habits, bathroom lighting conditions, and user expectations. Analogy studied how everyday products communicate value through form, texture, and geometry rather than cost. Insights from health professionals and consumers shaped decisions around toothbrush head angles, grip ergonomics, and surface design. This ensured better plaque removal, improved gum care, and long-term comfort. Using industrial design and design engineering, the team translated these insights into a manufacturable product system. Iterative prototyping and user testing refined the toothbrush for balance, reach, and control.Computational design and subtractive texture mapping reduced material while preserving durability. The result was an ergonomic toothbrush that feels premium, performs reliably, and scales efficiently across Southeast Asia.
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The problem
Poor Toothbrush Ergonomics
Many toothbrushes lack ergonomic design, leading to weak grip control and hand fatigue during brushing. Poor handle geometry reduces reach, limits precision, and negatively affects oral care routines over time.
Be guided through the whole process, from first concept through to market-ready product with success.
Poor Toothbrush Ergonomics
Many toothbrushes lack ergonomic design, leading to weak grip control and hand fatigue during brushing. Poor handle geometry reduces reach, limits precision, and negatively affects oral care routines over time.
Ineffective Bristle Density
Low-quality bristle patterns fail to deliver consistent plaque removal and gum care. Uneven density compromises deep cleaning, especially in hard-to-reach molars and along the gum line.
Be guided through the whole process, from first concept through to market-ready product with success.
Ineffective Bristle Density
Low-quality bristle patterns fail to deliver consistent plaque removal and gum care. Uneven density compromises deep cleaning, especially in hard-to-reach molars and along the gum line.
Cost & Weight Constraints
Achieving a premium appearance while reducing material usage is a persistent challenge. Excess material increases cost and weight, while aggressive reduction often weakens structural integrity and perceived quality.
Be guided through the whole process, from first concept through to market-ready product with success.
Cost & Weight Constraints
Achieving a premium appearance while reducing material usage is a persistent challenge. Excess material increases cost and weight, while aggressive reduction often weakens structural integrity and perceived quality.
A feature-rich, lightweight Pepsodent toothbrush engineered through human centered design, design engineering, and value engineering for affordable premium oral care at scale.
An ergonomic toothbrush for long-lasting comfort and consistent oral hygiene performance.
Analogy Design applied a rigorous design thinking process to resolve ergonomic, performance, and cost challenges simultaneously. Through industrial design and ergonomic design, the handle geometry was refined for comfort, reach, and control. High-density bristle patterns and a three-angled neck improved plaque removal and gum care without adding material. Every design decision was validated through user testing and health professional feedback.Using design for manufacturing best practices, Analogy reduced weight while preserving strength and aesthetics. Computational design and subtractive texture mapping removed non-essential material, improving production efficiency. The result was a lightweight ergonomic toothbrush that looks premium, performs consistently, and scales efficiently across Southeast Asia’s emerging markets.
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Key features
Designing For Scale, Performance, And Growth
Designing for emerging markets requires balancing usability, cost, and emotional appeal.
This project demonstrates how human centered product design and design engineering can transform everyday consumer products. By integrating ergonomic design, bristle optimization, and material efficiency, Analogy helped Pepsodent deliver better oral hygiene without increasing manufacturing complexity. The toothbrush achieves performance, comfort, and shelf presence through a repeatable and scalable design system.Looking ahead, the design framework supports future variations across oral care products. The same principles can be extended to modular product updates, localized visual identities, and expanded consumer product portfolios.
Learn more about Manufacturing Readiness
Krishan Jagota
Founder, Fluid
“I love what Analogy does and their approach to design. With global exposure and a new benchmark for Indian companies, they’re the best design studio for PHYGITAL products in India. Expertise, Empathy, and Sharpness, that’s Analogy”
Average Return on Investment Through Product Path™
250%
Average ROI
$2M
Total Funds Raised
89
Projects Funded Successfully
23+
global design awards
21
different Industries
01
Indian studio
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