MOONDARRA Expanding the Backpacks Contextual Use Luke Phillips
UTILITY
FUNCTIONALITY
MARKET
Original approach was to design a modular backpack system. After some market research I decided to adapt my brief to explore simpler modes of changing the bags functions.
IDEATION
Original sketches are modular systems. I quickly realized the potential to create a more organic method of changing form rather than excessive use of clips and zips.
POSITION
My inspiration comes from organic free forming structures that adapt their volume and form. Pythons and some origami pieces demonstrate this ability beautifully.
SCENARIO
Young on-the-go males and females who spend time commuting throughout the city. Their carry needs have a tendency to vary day to day.
“backpack center of mass is an important factor in the energy cost of load carriage and should be considered in the design�
RESEARCH
From secondary research conducted there was no succinct relations to load distribution and the human body. A cocktail of varying testing conditions and methods lead to contradicting conclusions.
COM
ORGANIC FREEFORM
Translating the paper origami structures into fabric and tangible bag ideas is proving to be a long process. Here I have explored several methods to give structure to the pattern.
= Polypropylene Thermoform
HYBRID
To give the organic free forming nature of the origami pattern more structure and rigidity, a semi-flex polypropylene sheet is being explored. A hybrid function of strength and flexibility.
PROTOTYPE 1
Skin and skeleton. Designed with the use of a polypropylene shell (left), a skeleton like structure of flexible ribs and a canvas outer layer.
PROTOTYPE 2
This is again a polypropylene shell that is semi-flexible through the use of the constantine origami pattern. This allows the bag to compact or expand.
R e fi n e m e n t & Te s t i n g
To d a y
Gate: Finalise Concept Gate: Finalise Design
Semester 2
Mid-Sem
Producing Final
Development & Prototypes
0 weeks
10 weeks
SCHEDULE
Branding & Video
Over the next twenty weeks I plan to follow a design process similar to this. Although depending on the process of manufacturing needed to produce the bag it may be altered.
Exhibition 20 weeks
References Colclough, S. L. (2010). “The Effects Of Load Distribution And Gradient On Load Carriage.” 93. Equpiment, E. (2014). “Modular Urban Backpack.” from https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/842978788/ember-equipment-modular-urban-pack. Datta, S. R. and N. L. Ramanathan (1971). “Ergonomic comparison of seven modes of carrying loads on the horizontal plane.” Ergonomics 14(2): 269-278. Ando, H. (2014). “Carryology.” from http://www.carryology.com/.
Luke Phillips