Group Project (4) - Product Development

Year

2024

Skills

Soft Prototyping

Ergonomics & Need Finding

Design for Business & Use

This group project called for the analysis of our college environment to discover a product that could benefit the our community. The chosen product had to be designed, iterated, and prototyped, before manufacturing 15 final products to be sold.

This project demanded a large amount of prototyping time, and attention to brand consistency, as well as an understanding of user needs.

Introducing the "Maddie Bag", a stylish solution to jacket storage and transportation.

The problem

When attending large events like concerts and festivals, people often struggle to securely carry or store their coats.

This often results in the abandonment of coats entirely, opening the door for hypothermia in cold weather, and losing personal items.

When attending large events like concerts and festivals, people often struggle to securely carry or store their coats.

This often results in the abandonment of coats entirely, opening the door for hypothermia in cold weather, and losing personal items.

Proposed solution

Creating a stylish and universal jacket with the ability to seamlessly transform into a compact and secure bag.

Proposed solution

Creating a stylish and universal jacket with the ability to seamlessly transform into a compact and secure bag.

Initial research

Question 1:

If you were to bring a jacket on a night out, What do you do with it when you arrive? Would you...

Question 1:

If you were to bring a jacket on a night out, What do you do with it when you arrive? Would you...

Question 2:

What type of bag do you bring on a night out?

Question 2:

What type of bag do you bring on a night out?

Pain Points

Carrying inconvenience
Security & storage
Comfort in carry & use

Carrying inconvenience
Security & storage
Comfort in carry & use

Desires

Versatility
Freedom & adaptability
Lightweight
Fashionable yet multipurpose

Versatility
Freedom & adaptability
Lightweight
Fashionable yet multipurpose

Establishing a style

"Construction Zone": Visible Seems, raw edges, and strong juxtaposition.

Prototype generation

Color, Material and Finish

Colors were spotted from the 2024 New York Fashion week, Milan Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, and Milan Interior Design show.

Additional evidence was found from Prada, Herman Miller, and Apple's 2024 releases.

Both Baritone Blue, and Madder Brown Pantones were listed as Pantone's Fall 2024 colors after their popularity in these events, and transition into the product market.

Grain Direction

An important consideration in the manufacturing and cutting process of the jackets were to make sure the direction of the denim grain remained consistent.

This mentality must be applied to both the jacket, limited fabric to be cut, and how the grain will appear in its folded bag form.

Grain Direction

An important consideration in the manufacturing and cutting process of the jackets were to make sure the direction of the denim grain remained consistent.

This mentality must be applied to both the jacket, limited fabric to be cut, and how the grain will appear in its folded bag form.

Manufacturing process

15 final production bags were produced with the intent to be sold. All of which were cut, ironed, pinned, and sewed with care.

It became important to consider the consistency and quality of each bag, and the limited resources available.

User Experience

To further emphasize the importance of process in the folding method, a short instructional pamphlet was crafted.

Emphasizing how far in to fold the sleeves or greater visibility of the location of the back flap proved to have a positive impact on user experience.

User Experience

To further emphasize the importance of process in the folding method, a short instructional pamphlet was crafted.

Emphasizing how far in to fold the sleeves or greater visibility of the location of the back flap proved to have a positive impact on user experience.

Social Media Marketing

Advertising the Mosaic bag was curtail to selling the 16 production models. We chose to use social media marketing, and graphic posters to promote the products release to the design community. Functionality, and process were the themes used.

Fashion meets functionality

The final design successfully folds to allow all coat pocket possessions to remain accessible in bag form. The sleek design keeps the sleaves of the jacket tucked tightly to the interior. This transformation can occur without ever letting the jacket hit the ground.

Fashion meets functionality

Fashion meets

functionality

Taking a closer look.

Back snap buttons

The final step of the transformation process, ensuring the fold remains tight.

Back snap buttons

The final step of the transformation process, ensuring the fold remains tight.

Claw & D-ring

Allows for hassle free and secure closure of the coat once transformed into bag-form.

Claw & D-ring

Allows for hassle free and secure closure of the coat once transformed into bag-form.

Interior Pockets

Inside pockets which are accessible in both forms. These allow users to store all of their belongings, from keys to phone.

Interior Pockets

Inside pockets which are accessible in both forms. These allow users to store all of their belongings, from keys to phone.

Exposed Seams

Flat felt seams were placed strategically around the jacket, giving support to the body of the jacket. This also adds a pop of color, and tastefully exposed stitching details.

Exposed Seams

Flat felt seams were placed strategically around the jacket, giving support to the body of the jacket. This also adds a pop of color, and tastefully exposed stitching details.

Previous Project

Montblanc

Augmented Reality - Brand VBL Analysis

Next Project

Ninth Ave

Design for Ergonomics & Manufacturing