Backpack for All
Would more people have access to outdoor adventures if there wasn’t a barrier to equipment cost?
In response to the growing need for versatile, sustainable, and affordable outdoor gear, I embarked on a design journey that led to the creation of a backpack tailored for both backpacking adventures and urban commuting. My inspiration emerged from the intersection of sustainability, modularity, and accessibility in outdoor equipment.
Versatility in Action
The Backpack was born out of a deep dive into the world of sustainable outdoor gear, where I discovered a gap in the market for environmentally and budget-friendly solutions. I surveyed peers about their engagement with and barriers to outdoor activities such as backpacking and hiking.
By integrating modularity into the core of the backpack, I aimed to provide users with a versatile solution that adapts seamlessly to their varying needs beyond an outdoor excursion. The expandable and compressible features allow users to effortlessly switch between urban commuting, daily use, light backpacking trips, and travel, all within a single backpack.
This bag is not just a backpack; it's a multifaceted solution tailored for diverse lifestyles. Merging the functionality of two bags into one, this design enhances versatility while drastically cutting costs. I considered traditional biomaterials as an environmental solution, but found they fell short in durability and suitability for outdoor use. I focused on perfecting manufacturing techniques and material design.
Using insight from the research portion of this project, I translated my ideas into detailed sketches. My preliminary designs and sketches took inspiration from the function of photo bags while keeping the aesthetics of similar urban adventure bags on the market. Prototyping played a large role in this phase, where I used canvas to quickly sew mockups as I developed a finalized pattern from the ground up.
