GRAM Discs Vibe Line Reykjavik
Reykjavik 9 / 4 / 0 / 4 - Power: 4
Inventing Power Buttons: From Confusion to ClarityIf you’ve ever tried buying a new disc as a beginner, you’ve probably stared at those four little numbers — speed, glide, turn, fade — and wondered what any of it actually means. And if you’re an experienced player, chances are you’ve learned that those numbers don’t always mean what they say. That’s exactly where our journey began.
We set out with a bold idea: to make disc flight information actually useful.Back to First PrinciplesOur first obstacle was obvious. Every player throws differently. A disc that fades right for a forehand player might fade left for a backhand. Draw a line for “flight path” on a disc? Doesn’t work. If that path doesn’t match the player’s experience, who do they blame? The disc — and us.So we asked a better question:
What does the player actually know when they’re choosing a disc?
The answer was simple but powerful:
“They know how far they can throw and want a disc that suits that power.”
We spent time in a local disc golf shop, talking with players, listening to the shopkeeper, and watching people choose discs. The pattern was clear. Everyone had a rough idea of their power level — and just wanted something that flew how they expected.Dots Over Digits
With that in mind, we ditched the numbers. Instead, we invented the Power Buttons (PBs) system. Think of it as a stability scale — the more buttons, the more overstable the disc.
But here’s the twist: we didn’t want to clutter the design. Since our brand language is clean, rounded, and inspired by simplicity (just look at the GRAM logo!), we went with five dots, each with a possibility to be half-filled. That gives us a 10-point scale, but presented in a friendly, instantly recognizable way.Tested. Stamped. Accurate.
Unlike flight numbers, which are locked in after the mold is designed, PBs are flexible. If a run comes out slightly more overstable, we just increase the PB rating for that batch. That means what’s stamped on the disc actually matches how it flies — no more guessing or googling.But What About Speed, Glide, Turn, Fade?
Let’s break it down:
We set out with a bold idea: to make disc flight information actually useful.Back to First PrinciplesOur first obstacle was obvious. Every player throws differently. A disc that fades right for a forehand player might fade left for a backhand. Draw a line for “flight path” on a disc? Doesn’t work. If that path doesn’t match the player’s experience, who do they blame? The disc — and us.So we asked a better question:
What does the player actually know when they’re choosing a disc?
The answer was simple but powerful:
“They know how far they can throw and want a disc that suits that power.”
We spent time in a local disc golf shop, talking with players, listening to the shopkeeper, and watching people choose discs. The pattern was clear. Everyone had a rough idea of their power level — and just wanted something that flew how they expected.Dots Over Digits
With that in mind, we ditched the numbers. Instead, we invented the Power Buttons (PBs) system. Think of it as a stability scale — the more buttons, the more overstable the disc.
But here’s the twist: we didn’t want to clutter the design. Since our brand language is clean, rounded, and inspired by simplicity (just look at the GRAM logo!), we went with five dots, each with a possibility to be half-filled. That gives us a 10-point scale, but presented in a friendly, instantly recognizable way.Tested. Stamped. Accurate.
Unlike flight numbers, which are locked in after the mold is designed, PBs are flexible. If a run comes out slightly more overstable, we just increase the PB rating for that batch. That means what’s stamped on the disc actually matches how it flies — no more guessing or googling.But What About Speed, Glide, Turn, Fade?
Let’s break it down:
- Speed? That’s rim width. You can feel it. We don’t need to print it.
- Glide? It’s the most random number out there. Some putters “glide” like a feather; others drop like bricks. The number doesn’t help.
- Turn/Fade? Too abstract. A Felon, Firebird, and Boatman all have similar numbers, but fly differently in the real world. PBs reflect how they actually perform — in your hand.
The Name Was a Happy Accident
We didn’t start with the name “Power Buttons.” It just… happened. One morning, debating with an imaginary advisor in my head (as one does), I caught myself calling them Power Buttons. It stuck. It made us laugh. It made sense. The team loved it — and the name was born.A New Standard
At GRAM, we’re about functional design, real-world usability, and player happiness. Power Buttons are just one more way we bring that philosophy to life.
Next time you’re picking up a Gram disc, count the dots. That’s the power it holds — and the simplicity we stand for.
We didn’t start with the name “Power Buttons.” It just… happened. One morning, debating with an imaginary advisor in my head (as one does), I caught myself calling them Power Buttons. It stuck. It made us laugh. It made sense. The team loved it — and the name was born.A New Standard
At GRAM, we’re about functional design, real-world usability, and player happiness. Power Buttons are just one more way we bring that philosophy to life.
Next time you’re picking up a Gram disc, count the dots. That’s the power it holds — and the simplicity we stand for.