Alpha Week

Problem Statement: Throughout the day I will have, lose, and/or acquire a handful of things and I need something to contain these items that is only as cumbersome and large as the load it is currently carrying, and does not need excess attention to keep track of it.

Primary Needs:

The product is aesthetically pleasing.

The product is the right size.

The product stays with the user through vigorous motion.

The product is durable.

The product is the right price for the value.

The product leaves the user hands-free/does not require continual use of hand or arm.

Alpha Prototype: Bag/Accessory


Inactive Modes

Fold and Slide onto arm as armband

Fold and Wrap on wrist as wristband/braceletFold to put into pocket

Active Modes - Bag configurations to hold different amounts of stuff or to hold the bag differently

Folded up as handbag

Snaps keep the bag folded

      Unfolded to hold more stuff and carry as tote.

     

     Unsnap handle cords to let out slack for the backpack mode

      

      Backpack mode

Concept:

Problem Statement: Throughout the day I will have, lose, and/or acquire a handful of things and I need something to contain these items that is only as cumbersome and large as the load it is currently carrying, and does not need excess attention to keep track of it.

Primary Needs:

The product is aesthetically pleasing.

The product is the right size.

The product stays with the user through vigorous motion.

The product is durable.

The product is the right price for the value.

The product leaves the user hands-free/does not require continual use of hand or arm.

Concept Test: I used the "alternatives" method to test the concept. In comparison to its direct competitors, traditional carrying mechanisms, how does the concept stack up?, is what I wanted to investigate. Since the alternatives are wide spread, backpacks, purses, etc people have an idea of what the alternatives do, look like, and offer them. My challenge was that the concept does not have such clear and widespread recognition of its use and worth and is only a sketch, while the alternatives are real every-day products. Thus, in my concept test, I presented the alternatives in a generic sketch form so as to be of similar appearance of the concept. I presented some target users with a scenario, and the concept and 3 alternatives to be chosen to address the scenario as follows:

Some responses:

"In order, I would choose A, C, B, D. I don't like carrying things if I can help it so having things that I can sling over my back or shoulder is nice."

"B. It is what i use now  except mine has a strap that i can sling over my shoulder. The good thing about handbag is that it is versatile so it can be worn in many different kinds of situations"

"A, although yesterday I did D"

" C I can cram multiple things in it and my hands are free (I have backpacks of multiple sizes for most occasions) but I do use small shoulder strap B if I only need somewhere to put a wallet and phone"

" B - Handbag with shoulder straps but what I actually use now is more of a nicer tote bag.... It looks better at work and mine are big enough to carry books and lunch. Bookbags can be too big/ bulky for what I generally need"

Prototyping 4.2

Three Prototypes: Scarf Bag, Canvas Roll, Net Bracelet
Prototype strategy: Focused, Physical
Focused Dimension: How product changes shape to be portable and carry more/less


G. Scarf Bag

  

 

 

F. Net Bracelet

C. Canvas Roll

Tested all the prototypes with holding this book:

Notes:

-Couldn't get any net type material for the Net Bracelet. Used solid fabric which seemed to work ok.

-Folding the net bracelet seemed to be more efficient and space saving than rolling the canvas roll.

-Surprisingly the scarf bag did not become unbalanced with the book in one side. It wasn't heavy and didn't irritate the neck.

-Material used was thin so have to balance the fabric material's ability to fold with the aesthetic qualities of different, thicker fabrics.

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Concept Selection 4.1

Question 3.2

Footstool in 2pt perspective

Question 3.1 10 Alternatives

Decomposition by Needs

Primary Needs
Product is aesthetically pleasing.
Product is right size (for your object).
Product stays with the user through vigorous motion.
Product is durable.
Product is right price for the value.
Product leaves the user hands-free/does not require continual use of hands.

Solutions to subproblems in isolation

Product is aesthetically pleasing.
      Aesthetically pleasing solutions: products that use circles, leather goods, colorful products, clear/glass

Product is right size (for your current object).
    Variable size solutions: product stretches(lycra, elastic, etc), product accordions, product folds, product molds, product self-adheres

Product is durable.
     Durable product solutions: product made of metal, product made of canvas, product made of leather

Product leaves the user hands-free/does not require continual use of hands.
      Hands-free solutions: backpacks, pockets, hovering device that carries your things, conveyor belt  that carries things and moves them about the room with you.

Decomposition by Sequence of User Actions

Sequences:
User Energy - Signal - Product Material

User carries product around-> Is the stuff secure? -> Is it in the way?

User packs -> Product holds -> User unpacks -> Product vacates-> Still need to carry stuff?-> Product holds

Product holds-> Is it in the way? -> Product makes itself discrete/unobtrusive-> Is the stuff secure in the product?

Product holds-> User unpacks-> Product vacates-> Still need to carry stuff?-> Product makes itself discrete/unobtrusive

Sequence subproblems

Unobtrusive+holds
    Solutions: cubby, bag check, leave it behind and come back for it

Secure+holds
    Solutions: stash under clothes, give it to a friend/trusted party
 
Secure+Reusable
    Solutions: locks, floor/wall safes

Decomposition by Function

Functions: holds, accessorizes

Holding
    Solutions: cup, bucket, box, book bag, bowl, purse

Accessorizing
    Solutions: hat, scarf, jacket, belt, collar, handkerchief, shoes




10 Alternatives

a. accordion bag

b. jacket box

c. Canvas Roll

d. Hat bag

e. Locker Franchise

f. Net Bracelet

g. Scarf bag

h. Stretch Velcro

i. Underwear Pocket

j. Waist purse

Question 2.3

Question 2.2 User Needs

Gap Refined: Stylish, dependable carrying solution that does not inhibit the user in social settings.

The product is aesthetically pleasing.

The product is not ugly.

The product matches the user's clothes.

The product is not too feminine.

!The product is stylish.

The product does not pull at the user's jacket.

!The product does not disturb the lines of the user's garments.

The product is the right size.

The product does not take up too much space when being used.

!The product conforms to the user's body.

The product conforms to the user's objects.

The product does not bump into other people.

The product stays with the user through vigorous motion.

!The product is easy to use.

The product is easy to transport when not in use.

The product is unobtrusive to transport when not in use.

The product does not fall.

The product is durable.

The product does not get soggy in rain.

The product can be cleaned in a washing machine.

!The product protects its contents from the rain and snow.

The product's material does not rip or fray.

!The product is the right price for the value.

The product is cheap.

The product's material does not chafe the shoulders.

The product leaves the user hands-free/does not require continual use of hand or arm.

The product holds makeup.

The product can hold a book.

The product holds a phone/music player.

The product can hold headphones.

!The product can hold music player while the player is being used with headphones.

The product can hold a bottle.

The product can hold an umbrella.

The product can hold a wallet and keys.

Question 2.1

Original: If you have just one item, you need a bag or to use one hand for the item, you cannot be hands-free and a bag for one thing is cumbersome

Statement: I want to carry one item out with me and not have to hold it in my hand or keep track of a bag.


In what way might I make carrying few items more convenient?
In what way might I keep my things secure while on public transportation or at a restaurant/bar/party/physical activity event?
**In what way might I keep my things close to my person and still have a free range of movement?
In what way might I carry items that doesn't bump into others and/or need to be checked at an event, and doesn't require the use of hands?
In what way might I reduce the object size and space I need to carry my items?
In what way might I create a carrying product that attaches to the body and is only the size that it needs to be?
In what way might I create a bag that is of variable size and doesn't need hands?
In what way might I ...