Design
In this project, we learned and applied the methods of design (form follows function) and design thinking. Our task was to work with our design groups to brainstorm, design, then, in some way create a a visual representation of an innovative backpack of the future.
Innovent!
My design team chosen for me included Mikey Saunders, Christopher Berarducci, Ian Dwyer, and myself. Our first step that we did as a group was to name ourselves so we could feel like a team. We brainstormed names (the Champions, We the People, Us, Friends, etc..) until Mikey came up with Innovent which is a mix of innovation and invent. We all agreed quickly, thus, making us Innovent!
Brainstorm and Ideas
Our second task after naming ourselves was to discuss and write down all the things we didn't like about backpacks and we would like to change. Sadly, we lost our list but below is most of the list that I could remember:
- Zipper always gets caught on fabric
- Zipper tab breaks
- Strap comfort
- Back comfort
- Backpack flips over head when bending down
- Security/people stealing stuff
- Rolling backpacks are a pain
- Weight too much
- Velcro on backpacks is a pain
After coming up with this list, we worked on narrowing it down to the tings we really wanted to change. We didn't do the best job (we still had a lot when we were done) but we were able to eliminate a few. By the end we decided we wanted to change numbers 1, 4, 5, and 6.
Designing the Backpack
Here's where things got choppy. On the first day we set to the task of creating a form to follow our functions, we failed. We tried to discuss the backpack and all we did was hopelessly debate and maybe not even discuss at all. The second day was more productive. We talked about why backpacks are problematic in the ways we had listed earlier and what would fix them. We bounced ideas off each other and came to a conclusion about each. These are below:
Problem: The zipper gets caught on fabric a lot
Why: There is fabric around the zipper. Usually the flap there to "protect" the zipper.
Solution: Make sure there is no fabric around the zipper for it to get caught on.
Problem: Back comfort (books -press into back through fabric)
Why: The fabric is too thin and companies think we don't need padding on back
Solution: Use thicker fabric and add padding
Problem: Backpack flips over head when bending down
Why: Backpack is too loose on back and stuff inside over balances it.
Solution: Create backside with padding that conforms to back/spine when straight and bent.
Problem: Security/People stealing stuff
Why: Stuff is too exposed on front and people can access without wearer noticing.
Solution: Have only was to access main contents of backpack somewhere the wearer will notice if someone steals. Have zipper on the inside facing the wearer's back.
This was all great and we were all very excited that we came up with good ideas together. The third day Mikey and I set to sketching out our ideas of how the backpack will look like so we could put our ideas together with the help of Chris and Ian. He drew his and I drew mine. This is how mine looked:
Problem: The zipper gets caught on fabric a lot
Why: There is fabric around the zipper. Usually the flap there to "protect" the zipper.
Solution: Make sure there is no fabric around the zipper for it to get caught on.
Problem: Back comfort (books -press into back through fabric)
Why: The fabric is too thin and companies think we don't need padding on back
Solution: Use thicker fabric and add padding
Problem: Backpack flips over head when bending down
Why: Backpack is too loose on back and stuff inside over balances it.
Solution: Create backside with padding that conforms to back/spine when straight and bent.
Problem: Security/People stealing stuff
Why: Stuff is too exposed on front and people can access without wearer noticing.
Solution: Have only was to access main contents of backpack somewhere the wearer will notice if someone steals. Have zipper on the inside facing the wearer's back.
This was all great and we were all very excited that we came up with good ideas together. The third day Mikey and I set to sketching out our ideas of how the backpack will look like so we could put our ideas together with the help of Chris and Ian. He drew his and I drew mine. This is how mine looked:
As you can see, I chose a square structure because I liked that aesthetically as well as the padding being this cool triangle shape with the zipper down the middle and thick straps for comfort. I also added a front pocket whose zipper went around the bag and onto the back for security.
Below is Mikey's idea/drawing:
Below is Mikey's idea/drawing:
As you can see, he depicted the bag to look sleek and have an interesting triangular-ish shape and thinner straps. He added a front pocket as well which he later described to be for easy access to cheaper items.
After we discussed our ideas, I decided that square wasn't a good shape for the bag and went on to re-draw the bag with a rucksack shape. I was still advocating for the front pocket zipper idea and the thick straps. My renewed design is below:
After we discussed our ideas, I decided that square wasn't a good shape for the bag and went on to re-draw the bag with a rucksack shape. I was still advocating for the front pocket zipper idea and the thick straps. My renewed design is below:
I went to my group members and showed them my idea while Mikey showed them his original one. Since Mikey and I had already discussed with each other, we left them with our designs to write critique and add ideas without the pressure of us.
When they got back to us with their written critique, I was very disappointed. This is what they wrote on Mikey's design:
"Chris
I like mikeys design because it is non-generic and looks more comfortable."
"Ian
I like this because it looks unique and looks cool"
They didn't write anything on mine. I went to them and said "I thought we would put our ideas together/merge the designs. Not advocate for one." and I advocated for my design a little only to be told idea after idea that they were bad and Mikey's were better. It turned into a pretty big argument and I left the class and ended that day angry at them for being so suddenly against everything I say.
Some kind of work ethic died in me. The next time we met I said "Fine. Mikey's design wins. Like you guys said, majority vote wins." and I sent Mikey to draw the graphic interpretation of his design he'd been wanting to do.
The next couple of days, we did nothing. I felt horrible so I just sketched on my own the whole time and worked on a separate design project I was doing with someone from another class.
When they got back to us with their written critique, I was very disappointed. This is what they wrote on Mikey's design:
"Chris
I like mikeys design because it is non-generic and looks more comfortable."
"Ian
I like this because it looks unique and looks cool"
They didn't write anything on mine. I went to them and said "I thought we would put our ideas together/merge the designs. Not advocate for one." and I advocated for my design a little only to be told idea after idea that they were bad and Mikey's were better. It turned into a pretty big argument and I left the class and ended that day angry at them for being so suddenly against everything I say.
Some kind of work ethic died in me. The next time we met I said "Fine. Mikey's design wins. Like you guys said, majority vote wins." and I sent Mikey to draw the graphic interpretation of his design he'd been wanting to do.
The next couple of days, we did nothing. I felt horrible so I just sketched on my own the whole time and worked on a separate design project I was doing with someone from another class.
Poster and Prototype
Eventually my group members and I started feeling pressure to get things done which I was still in no mood to do. I just kept telling Mikey to draw "his design". When I discussed the issue and my concerns with my mother she suggested that I create a poster with the blueprint and then mini pictures of each part of the backpack with the materials we were going to use stapled to the paper and then have a collage of our work on the back. I got very excited because it was a great idea! I planned that day how I was going to present the idea to my group which I did the next day. When I did so their overall response was something like this "Sure.". Not exactly what I wanted but I was okay with it. I went on to create a structure for our poster and showed it to my group. I asked Mikey to draw his design which he began to do. I was pretty content by the end of the day. Next class I pushed Mikey to draw his design and tried to get my other members to find materials which they did not get to work too enthusiastically on. By then the pressure was really getting high and we had to finish. I worked on embellishing the poster while getting my group members to do their part. In the end we got the front side of the poster somewhat finished (though not to my expectations) but the back was blank. That was our only product.
Presentation and Critique
I spent a lot of time preparing mentally how our presentation was going to go and I assured my group members that we could put on a good one even if we only had one lame poster. We went up there and I put on all the energy I could when we presented and did my best to make our project look good. During the presentation my group surprised me by working with me to make the project look best. We all talked together in the presentation and it turned out much better than I had expected. This was when I realized my other group members somewhat cared.
When the presentation was over, we sat down for critique while I took notes. This is all I got from other people that I wrote down:
When the presentation was over, we sat down for critique while I took notes. This is all I got from other people that I wrote down:
- "The presentation was good but a little choppy. You did a good job making the backpack design obvious."
- "I like how you guys really researched materials. It made the presentation strong."
- "I wish your poster was bigger and we could see it better. it also would be nice to have a view on the process."
- "I like your zipper design. it is unique."
- "I liked how everyone contributed to the presentation and showed confidence. I also like your explanations with your hands."
- "Your guys' visuals could have been a lot stronger. Refine your poster. It left room for people to imagine which is not good."
- "You guys could have done a lot in your presentation with the comfort factor that you didn't do. For example, a skit."
Redesign
I really liked all the critique we got. I think the discussion taught me a lot but it also made me feel very bad about how our project turned out and how I behaved. The project and presentation had so much potential! I just didn't open my mind up to ideas. I feel odd because something just died in me like it never does and I think the thing I am going to take the most out of this project is experience. This project was an experience I want to remember so I can look back on it and make sure I never do it again. I have very high expectations for myself and I really care, I am just afraid I didn't show it.
Like I said, most of what I take out of this project will be reflection and experience but, as far as refining the actual project goes, I think we did not get enough critique to redesign the backpack itself but we did get enough to work on our presentation. I don't think my other group members are really into doing it with me which is really essential to making it happen so I will just write down my ideas.
I think it would be really fun to create a commercial or a skit or even both together! The commercial could be one of those cheesy ones where they have the black and white part where they make normal versions of the product look bad and then the bright colourful part where they solve the problem and make the new product look really good. We wouldn't have to have the actual backpack prototype made, only 3D drawings and we could describe it. The script would look something like this:
Narrator: Are you tired of your zipper getting caught and breaking? (show someone fumbling stupidly with zipper) Do you constantly worry about someone stealing your stuff? (someone sneaking stuff out of backpack) Are you constantly stabbed by the contents of your backpack? (someone looking uncomfortable with fork poking back).
Like I said, most of what I take out of this project will be reflection and experience but, as far as refining the actual project goes, I think we did not get enough critique to redesign the backpack itself but we did get enough to work on our presentation. I don't think my other group members are really into doing it with me which is really essential to making it happen so I will just write down my ideas.
I think it would be really fun to create a commercial or a skit or even both together! The commercial could be one of those cheesy ones where they have the black and white part where they make normal versions of the product look bad and then the bright colourful part where they solve the problem and make the new product look really good. We wouldn't have to have the actual backpack prototype made, only 3D drawings and we could describe it. The script would look something like this:
Narrator: Are you tired of your zipper getting caught and breaking? (show someone fumbling stupidly with zipper) Do you constantly worry about someone stealing your stuff? (someone sneaking stuff out of backpack) Are you constantly stabbed by the contents of your backpack? (someone looking uncomfortable with fork poking back).