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Nymzo Chess Products
2025
BACKGROUND
Elliott Walker and Tim Hucklesby of Nymzo saw the surge in chess interest during the pandemic as an opportunity to create a contemporary and dynamic chess brand. They partnered with Facility to develop their launch products and lay the foundation for future designs.
SERVICES
Product Strategy
Product Design
Production Support
STUDY
Elliott and Tim run Otherward, a branding agency in NYC. As the brand developed, Facility collaborated to translate its vision into an iconic, everyday chess set. We aimed to create products with better quality and performance than standard plastic sets while remaining more modern and approachable than traditional wooden ones.
“Facility has been a valuable partner—knowledgeable, collaborative, diligent. They were a critical sounding board throughout the design process as we worked together to bring our first product to market.”
—Elliott Walker, Nymzo Co-Founder
STRATEGY
Performance started with the feel. Rather than hide a piece of steel inside, we exposed a beautifully crafted metal base that achieved specific weight goals and gave the pieces the right balance. We also envisioned a layered, multi-material system that not only enhanced feel but allowed for product variety, with a silicone core to improve sound, among other things.
EXPLORATION
Chess piece forms draw from tradition to remain recognizable but are ultimately six small, expressive sculptures. We explored various stylistic directions through sketches and created dozens of physical models to assess the product experience. These prototypes varied in form, material, weight, and color, helping us refine our ideas—and it made for plenty of fun in the office.
EXPLORATION
As we refined the aesthetic, we meticulously evaluated performance, material textures, and subtle form details through high-fidelity prototypes. At the same time, Rob Spalding’s work on a soft goods solution for carrying the pieces elevated the product and added valuable expertise to the team.
RESULT
Nymzo’s Opening Edition chess set features pieces with precisely crafted metal bases, inscribed with details reminiscent of a high-end watch. Their designs strike a balance between restrained style and expressive, contemporary forms. Paired with the sporty flexmat and carry bag, the set offers chess enthusiasts a modern collection that reimagines tradition, reflecting their personality and lifestyle.
OUTCOMES
Available
nymzo.world
Collaborators
Otherward
Doris Dev
Rob Spalding