FixIts™ is an eco-friendly, hand-mouldable plastic stick that softens in 60C (140F) water and can be used to solve an infinite number of challenges around the home or in creative projects. Fully re-usable, FixIts™ empowers consumers to do DIY on their own terms instead of overspending on single-use or niche equipment, making it the new kitchen drawer essential.

Made from a plastic that softens at a much lower temperature than conventional plastics, FixIts™ exploits the major benefit of thermoplastic – that they can be repeatedly heated, cooled, moulded and heated again. Not only does this render FixIts™ reusable, but the plastic itself is also compostable in accordance with requirements for biodegradable materials (EN-14995). It was successfully launched on Kickstarter, raising £36,982 from 2,941 backers earlier this year.

FixIts™ was created by Chris Lefteri, the author of nine books on materials and eponymous design studio, who is well known for bringing design innovation to global consumer brands through CMF and materials. Chris first discovered the FixIts™ material while researching his first book on plastics in 2000. Given our increasing need to deal with the consequences of plastic usage and disposable culture, FixIts™ is bringing a material that has a history of industrial applications direct to consumers.

Alongside co-founders Alison Lefteri and Forrest Radford, Chris decided to launch FixIts™, his first direct to consumer product, with the aim of creating a positive influence on the environment by focusing on fixing rather than disposing of products.

Speaking on his motivations for creating FixIts™ Chris said:

"We need to look at the issue of sustainability from a new angle. We can’t continue to use guilt as a driver to challenge consumers to think twice about their carbon footprint. It's about making recycling fun, desirable and effortless whilst helping consumers feel satisfied they are doing good rather than feeling that they should do more."

"I have always loved discovering new materials and telling stories about a new way of looking at materials. Our motto in the studio is to find new ways and new places to use new materials. This is how we we’re able to create FixIts™ - by looking at how an innovative new material could be used by consumers across and range of household and creative tasks.”

“From the outset, we recognised that the potential of FixIts™ was vast which is why it was essential to have a strong brand and compelling story. New materials always ask the question – what is it and how to I use it? This is why we needed a clear story that put people in the driver’s seat and demonstrated how the only limit to FixIts™ is your own imagination!” 

After exploring multiple shapes that the material should be formed into, Chris and the team settled on a simple stick.

Speaking on the design, co-founder Forrest Radford added said:

“As FixIts™ has so many applications and empowers consumers to fix problems in a brand-new way, we wanted to find a shape that felt familiar and simple. After extensive testing, the modest stick design just made total sense as it is easy to submerge in a cup of water and allows people to only use a much as they need for the project at hand.”

"We spent a lot of time working on the details of the stick: one of the best decisions we made was adding instructions to the back of the stick so that they can be easily shared and understood by users who hadn't interacted with the product before. The stick says everything it needs to; what it's called, what it does, and how to use it.”

The team worked closely with London-based branding agency Here Design to develop the FixIts™ brand so it that referenced the optimism, simplicity and punchiness of 1950's packaging at a time when plastics was the 'new' material that was going to change the world.

Speaking on the creation of the brand, Mark Paton, Creative Partner at Here Design said: "My first thought was literally 'Wow, what an interesting product – how does it work – how can we use that?' Then when we considered the cluttered retail and household setting of the product, our approach had to be centred around a bold brand and identity that would stand out.”

“Our reference point was graphic Swiss poster design that incorporates bold typography and photographic imagery. We liked how that approach allowed us to integrate the logo and product image whilst also explaining the scale and functionality of the product. The gift of being able to feature the product in the logo, is one that doesn't often happen in design so we grabbed the opportunity with both hands."

FixIts™ is now available via its website, Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Notes to Editors

FixIts™ is the first product to come out of Chris Lefteri Design and marks an extension from the studio's history as a materials design consultancy by bringing to life one of its founder’s first material discoveries.

FixIts™ is reusable, but the eco-plastic itself is also compostable in accordance with requirements for EN-14995.

The stick is currently available in orange, black and white. A summer edition of yellow, pink and green has also recently been launched in June 2019. More colours will be added in due course.