An ingenious toothbrush with a unique twist, for people on the go

In a world where convenience meets sustainability, the ingenious one&done toothbrush emerges as a game-changer for travelers and oral care enthusiasts alike. Designed by Turkish designer Pelin Özbalcı, it has a strong focus on functionality, style, and environmental consciousness.

Its design cleverly integrates toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes into one easy-to-use device, revolutionizing your oral care routine. No more spills, no more messes – just a seamless and hygienic experience in one smart twist.

The brilliance of “one&done” extends beyond its innovative design. Committed to sustainability, this toothbrush boasts a replaceable brush head feature. By making a simple switch when it’s time for a replacement, it allows you to significantly reduce plastic waste, making your smile both healthy and environmentally friendly.

I discovered the project while browsing on LinkedIn, and I couldn’t resist asking Pelin Özbalcı a few questions to learn more and better understand what motivated her to come up with such a solution.

Who is Pelin Özbalcı? How did your design journey begin?

Pelin Özbalcı:

“I am an industrial designer, and my creative journey began in Turkey. Growing up in a family of artists and designers, I was inspired from a young age to pursue a career in design. After graduating, I eagerly embraced the opportunity to work with ACTON Global, a Silicon Valley micro-mobility startup, where I served as a junior Industrial Designer.

During my time at ACTON, I delved into various facets of design, ranging from user interface design and packaging design to mobile interface design and industrial design. I was the sole visualization artist at the company, crafting visual representations of our products.

Beyond my professional background, I embrace a growth mindset, constantly seeking new opportunities and challenges to expand my skills. I believe in self-education, acquiring proficiency in diverse design aspects, such as 3D modeling, 3D printing techniques, sketching, and visualization. Furthermore, I actively engage with the design community by maintaining a design blog, sharing my insights, and contributing to a wider audience. With each design endeavor, I seek to bring joy and delight to users while infusing my work with creativity, functionality, and a distinct touch that reflects my innate passion for design.”

What was the pivotal idea or key insight that sparked the inception of the one&done toothbrush?

Pelin Özbalcı:

“The toothbrush and toothpaste setup has been a common challenge for people on the go, especially when traveling. Managing two separate items takes up valuable space in travel bags and often leads to spills and messes, causing inconvenience and unhygienic situations. As a result, travelers often find themselves compromising on their oral care routine, which can negatively impact their dental health.

Additionally, the absence of a suitable storage solution for toothbrushes in hotels, hostels, and other travel destinations exposes them to unhygienic surfaces, posing further health risks. I was committed to providing a solution that addresses these issues and enhances the overall travel experience with a professional yet friendly touch.”

Could you provide a description of the project ‘One&Done’ that you have developed? What does it entail?

Pelin Özbalcı:

“The ‘one&done’ design takes inspiration from PEZ dispensers and features a secure compartment capable of holding up to 20 toothpaste tablets, all neatly housed within its compact structure. By integrating both the toothbrush and toothpaste into a single user-friendly device, “one&done” effectively eliminates the need for carrying separate items, ensuring spill-free and effortless oral care while traveling.

Furthermore, the toothbrush boasts a sustainable design, incorporating easily replaceable brush parts, thus contributing to the reduction of plastic waste. For instance, when it’s time to replace the brush head, simply detach it and replace it with a new one, while retaining the other parts for extended use. This environmentally conscious approach promotes a greener and eco-friendly way to maintain oral hygiene.”

Can you tell me more about the mechanism behind the product? How does it work?

Pelin Özbalcı:

“PEZ dispensers were my inspiration to create a toothpaste tablet delivery mechanism for. I designed the upper part of the toothbrush to unlock and open, revealing a smart mechanism inside. When you twist it open, a single toothpaste tablet is neatly dispensed, ready for you to use.

This playful and efficient mechanism not only adds a touch of fun to your oral care routine but also ensures that you get just the right amount of toothpaste for a perfect smile.”

When considering the CMF (Color, Material, and Finish) aspect, what approach did you take?

Pelin Özbalcı:

“I designed the one&done toothbrush to seamlessly merge style and functionality. Its top part is available in three vibrant colors – coral, blueberry, and lagoon – infusing a touch of personality into your oral care routine. The engraved “one&done” name on the back serves as a proud symbol of its innovative design. The frosted transparent plastic on the bottom allows users to easily monitor their toothpaste tablet consumption.

Moreover, the soft-touch plastic bottom cap ensures durability and a secure grip on any surface when used upright. In addition to its design, “one&done” has been engineered to enhance the travel experience. Its wide flat bottom surface enables users to store the toothbrush upright in hotels, hostels, or any travel destination, safeguarding it from unhygienic surfaces and promoting a more sanitary and germ-free oral care routine.

Crafted from hard plastic with a slightly darker shade, the toothbrush’s cap elegantly attaches to the brush with magnets, creating a sleek finish. With “one&done,” my idea was to turn the toothbrush into a statement of both style and practicality.”

How was the packaging, on the other hand, conceived?

Pelin Özbalcı:

“I worked on a packaging that could immediately catch your eye with its clean and predominantly white design, giving off a feeling of purity and sophistication. A small but vibrant splash of color on the front gives you a glimpse of what’s inside – the toothbrush comes in three shades: coral, blueberry, and lagoon.

What makes the packaging interesting, in my opinion, is the embossed images. You’ll see a toothbrush silhouette on the one&done toothbrush packaging, which perfectly represents its convenient and innovative design. The refill tablet packaging showcases a pattern of circles, symbolizing the foundation of a sparkling smile.

And when you open it to reveal the replaceable brush heads, you’ll find a trio of embossed brush images, assuring you of the product’s durability and eco-friendly approach. Every detail has been carefully thought out to reflect the essence of “one&done” – simplicity, functionality, and style.

As you hold the packaging in your hands, you’ll get the feeling of a remarkable oral care experience, ideal for travelers seeking both convenience and a touch of artistic flair.”