Joycon Holder D4E1

Project:

This project focuses on redesigning the Joy-Con holder to provide greater accessibility for people with disabilities while ensuring it remains enjoyable and easy to use for all players.

The design was created as part of an Industrial Product Design assignment at Howest University of Applied Sciences in partnership with the Dominiek Savio School, an organization that supports and empowers individuals with disabilities.(https://www.dominieksavio.be/).

The team:

1. Willem Martin (Willem.Martin@student.howest.be) – Product Designer
2. Bas Dhaese (Bas.Dhaese@student.howest.be) – Product Designer
3. Aleksandra Saronova (Aleksandra.Saronova@student.howest.be) – Product Designer
4. Mariza Elekchiyan (Mariza.Elekchiyan@student.howest.be) – Product Designer

What did we do:

We redesigned the add-on for the Joy-Con controller used with the Nintendo Switch. This specific version is made for the original Switch 1 Joy-Con and is not compatible with the Switch 2 controller.

The main purpose of the add-on is to improve accessibility for people with limited hand strength or reduced grip. It increases the overall size of the controller, creating a larger and more ergonomic grip that is easier and more comfortable to hold.

A protective finger guard is integrated into the design. This helps prevent the controller from immediately slipping out of the user’s hand if their grip loosens unexpectedly. It also provides additional protection during active games such as bowling or tennis, reducing the chance of the user hitting their fingers against a table, wall, or other nearby objects.

In addition, the design includes a dedicated attachment point for a wrist strap or bungee cord. This extra security feature helps prevent the controller from being accidentally dropped while playing.

The prototype has been tested by people with reduced hand mobility and received very positive feedback. Test users reported that the controller was significantly easier to hold and felt more secure compared to using the standard Joy-Con on its own.

The entire prototype is 3D printed using PLA filament. On average, a complete print takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. For the best surface quality and print accuracy, we recommend using a layer height of 0.08 mm.

!!!Create your own handle!!!

Create your own custom handle with our tutorial while keeping a perfect Joy-Con fit. Check it out to make a grip that suits your needs. (Tutorial)

You need:

Tools

1. 3D printer
2. computer with a slicer

Materials:

1. Straps for example (straps)
2. PLA fillamanet

Print the left side, the right side, or both parts, depending on your needs. For the best results, use the following slicer settings:

1. Print quality: Use the highest quality setting your printer supports (a layer height of 0.08 mm is recommended).
2. Infill: 5% Gyroid infill.
3. Supports: Enable supports, but limit them to critical regions only to give it a cleaner finish.

Before slicing, make sure the model is oriented correctly. Each part has a flat surface on the bottom, which should be placed directly on the build plate. Printing in this orientation improves bed adhesion, minimizes the need for supports, and results in a cleaner, more reliable print.

Assembly is simple and requires no additional hardware. Just attach the wrist strap through the designated opening in the holder, and the add-on is ready to use. Insert the Joy-Con into the holder until it fits securely in place, and you're all set to start playing.

!!!Create your own handle!!!

Create your own custom handle with our tutorial while keeping a perfect Joy-Con fit. Check it out to make a grip that suits your needs. (Tutorial)