Lunch Bag Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Table of Contents Research
Research Topic Why Children? How We Research Field Research Primary Reasearch Secondary Research Brainstorming Opportunities Opportunity Matrix
4 5 6 7 8-13 14-15 16 17 18
Design Direction & Persona
20 21
Design Direction Persona
Concept Development
Final Design
Inspiration Materials Patterns Final Model In Context Packing Lunch Using the Strap Cleaning Ergonomics Life Cycle Color Study
27 28 29 30-32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39
23 24 25
Concept Stage 1 Mock Ups Stage 2 Mock Ups
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Research
Research Topic Children’s Health
Taking control of one’s own health has become increasingly important as American’s struggle with health issues; this project is an exploration of the intersection of health & wellness and soft goods. Our focus is on the health and wellness of children in regards to nutrition and hydration and ultimately develop a soft-good to improve the health of children in some way.
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Why Children? Obesity • Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years. • The percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2010. • The percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to 18% over the same period. • In 2010, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese. • Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing related diseases. • The dietary and physical activity behaviours of children and adolescents are influenced by many sectors of society, including families, communities, schools, child care settings, medical care providers, faith-based institutions, government agencies, the media, and the food and beverage industries and entertainment industries.
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
How We Research Approach
Recognize existing knowledge Identify people to speak with Extreme users/range of participants High income/low income Identify relative locations
Independent Interviews Group Interview Self Documentation
Develop Interview approach • Interview guide • Sacrificial Concepts • Interview Techniques Talk to parents Watch kids in their natural environment/ daycare/playgrounds
Feedback: • Narrow down to preschool demographic. • What do we already know what do we need to learn? • Come up with 3 or 5 areas we want to know more about. List of questions to choose from and narrow it down to questions to focus on for particular person we’re talking to. Ask parents what are their sources for information for their children’s health? Look a little older than preschool like elementary school. Possibly talk to Paediatrician, Nutritionist, Child/ Development Teachers on campus.
As a team we will conduct direct, observational, and market research to uncover insights and design opportunities.
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Field Research Synapse School
Our group decided that to best understand what are the needs and wants are of todays children, we would have to go hang out with some. That is precisely what we did when we made the trip out to Synapse School in Menlo Park. We got a tour of the campus and were just in time for lunch time. The lunch system offered at this school was called the Choice Lunch and about one third of the students would buy these lunches from the school. The other two thirds would bring their own lunches from home. During our “lunch break� we were able to get a lot of great information from both interviews and just sitting back and observing the children. A few things we noticed were that the kids did not eat for very long, most just wanted to eat quickly so they could go play. We also observed the amount of different bags that the children would have to bring for school as well as how many of these were forgotten and in the lost and found.
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Primary Research Faculty Interview Dana Kuper
Learning Specialist Dana’s background in education focused on children with language based learning disabilities. With a deal of interest in urban education, Dana moved to New York City to work at The Children’s Storefront School, in Harlem, New York. This background allowed Dana to shed the most light on the many differences between her experience in Harlem vs her new experiences at the Synapse School. “There is a very recognizable connection between the socioeconomic conditions of kids and their families linking poor diet and obesity. Most of the kids would get food from school that was government funded and had poor nutritional vale. Here it’s much different, some students have ”Choice Lunch” while a good majority of students bring lunches from home. As you can see, these children [out for lunch break] are all relatively healthy.”
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Primary Research Faculty Interview Jimmy Cappels Athletic Director
Jimmy is a local and Graduate of San Francisco State University, who completing his MA in Education. Aside from being the Athletic Director, Jimmy is a Synapse Math Specialist, as well has a background in Bi-Lingual Education. A new addition to the Synapse team, Jimmy seemed very eager to add more for educational focus on health in the school’s and his curriculum. “We really don’t teach a whole lot about the specifics of health and nutrition, but kids are very open and eager to learn. I may walk by a kid eating some sugary snack, and drinking as sugary drink, and say ‘Wow! Your diet had a lot of sugar today!’ I like to show the kids where they can find the nutritional value on their foods, and it almost becomes a conversation subject for these kids. So even though we may not teach nutrition specifically, I try to expose them, to the idea of thinking about it.”
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Primary Research Faculty Interview Nicole Stone
After-Care Supervisor
Similar to Dana, Nicole spent time living in New York, Nicole has worked for the school as a receptionist, teacher’s assistant, and as a leader in after-care and after-school programs. We spoke with Nicole during her time observing the 1st-3rd grade lunch break. “One of things about these kids, and their lunch time, is that they are very excited to get up, and move around. Keeping them active is not as much of an issue. But, we do make an effort to monitor the kids to a certain extent, to make sure they are eating and drinking some water before they get up and start to play.”
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Primary Research Faculty Interview Jean Gould
Level One Lead Teacher
Jean, also a newer addition to the Synapse team has a background in international community development. She joined the team to pursue her love for kids and education. She was very eager to share information on how the school deals with lunch time, picky kids, and food waste. “We do our best to walk around and keep an eye on the kids before they get up to play. Many parents prepare wonderfully beautiful lunches, and we respect the time and effort as well as acknowledge these kids need to maintain a balanced diet. Obviously we learn to know the various eating habits of each kid and know who is a little more picky than others. We do our best to instill the idea of not wasting and the potential of revisiting a part of lunch at snack or break time. If all else fails, we educate the kids on garbage, recycling, and compost-able materials, and walk them through disposing of their leftover food in the right way. �
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Primary Research Student Interviews
• “If I had to make the perfect lunch box, it would have to be really durable. It would have to be vacuum sealed, and maybe have a place for an icepack, and a place that will keep my food hot.” • “I like to eat healthy and I like all vegetables except zucchini.” • “Many of the kids forget their water bottles. In emergencies, we can give them cups, but kids will leave things everywhere. One student has 3 lunch boxes I think. He ALWAYS forgets it, or puts it somewhere, it’s not supposed to be.” • “I want a lunch box that can be washed easily, and something that is spill proof. I don’t want stuff to spill all over my food in my lunch box.” • “I’m mad because I wanted chicken from Choice Lunch, and someone messed up and now I need to eat a yucky Sandwich.”
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Primary Research Student Interviews
• “I want a bracelet that can turn in to a lunch box!!!!” • “I want a lunch box with the Sea hawks on it!” • “Sometimes I forget my water bottle in my cubby and then I can’t drink any water until the next break time” • “I want an invisible lunch box” • “Most of the lunch boxes are for boys. I want something with flowers and pretty things on it.” • “I WANT ONE THAT’S 100,000 DOLLARS!!!”
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Secondary Research Survey 30
5
18
43
Parents of children K-6th grade
Food allergies 5
9 15
3 4
10
14 9
22 Days per week child brings a lunch
Children’s Grade
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Secondary Research Survey Primary Diet complications
Parental Knowledge Sources
• Taste preference of child • Limited Availability of healthy • No control over school food / outside food • Convincing the children of the health benefits
• Intuition • Internet • Pintrest • Food Pyramid • Magazines
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Brainstorming 5 ~ 0% bring packed lunches
Food Education Accuracy
The Snack Black Market Time and Cost constraints
Making food healthy and exciting
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Opportunities • Streamline the ergonomics of backpacks and lunch bags. • Helping kids stay hydrated throughout the day. • Aesthetic opportunities. • Building a deeper connection between the child and the product. • Instil information about sustainability. • Help children and parents co-manage healthy eating habits.
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Opportunity Matrix Opportunity Area
Most of the lunch bags that I found on the market today are very focused around the particular set of needs as a lunch bag. I found that there is a very large gap in the market for these bags to serve more than one function rather then solely designed for lunch purposes. There was also a gap in products that had a strong Eco focus but this is slowly staring to be filled in by newer products so this is a trend that I see the market moving towards.
focused function
eco focused
product focused
multifunctional
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Design Direction & Persona
Design Direction “Grow a deeper connection between child and product.”
• Create a lunch bag that serves more then one purpose. • Foster the environmental consciousness that children are being taught. • Addresses what happens to old lunch bags when children want a new one or don’t like the older one. • Shows children that they have the ability to make a difference and do value their belongings. • All components of design will work for both functions of the bag. • Encourage parents to instill healthy eating habits with reusable containers and fresh foods. • Insulated compartments. • Easy to clean
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Persona Children Between 3rd & 5th Grade
• Has parents that are actively trying to instill healthy eating habits and lifestyle. • Loves to play outside and experience nature. • Gets a sense of pride from being able to call something their own. • Enjoys activities with parents. • Wants to help do their part to keep the planet clean. • Do not mind getting dirty.
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Concept Development
Concept Lunch Bag / Planter
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Stage 1 Mock Up Lunch Bag / Planter
• Doors allow for larger surface area when open. • Base would add support when a planter and on a surface. • Base could allow for storage as a lunch bag. • Top and middle surfaces would be insulated to keep food hot or cold.
Areas to Address
• How do the doors close? • Is there a handle? • Are the dimensions big enough? • What would go in the base and what angle would the sides have to be to support the weight?
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Stage 2 Mock Ups Lunch Bag / Planter
• Zippers make it easy to open each of the three compartments. • Base can hold an ice pack to keep lunch items cold throughout the day. • Handle has Velcro and is able to be adjusted to any size that suites the users needs. • Drainage holes allow for easy cleaning as lunch bag and drainage as a planter
Areas to Address
• Branding? • Handle should be long enough. • How to attach the base to main compartments? • How to make drainage holes?
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
The Final Design
Inspiration “I want a tree to grow out of mine!�
This quote, yelled out by a little girl at my group and I when doing field research at Synapse School, is what sparked the idea for this product. I wanted to figure out a way they a child could grow something out of their lunch bag and I wanted that concept to help guide the aesthetic and how the bag would work. I looked into lots of ways that planters are made today and at plants and other natural objects for inspiration
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Materials
Duck Canvas The duck canvas is going to be used on the outside surfaces because it is a strong and durable material that will be able to withstand the abuse a child and the outdoors can throw at it.
Waterproof The water proof material will be used on all the inside surfaces because it will allow the bag to be easily cleaned.
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Recycled Jeans Insulation For the insulation of this bag is chose to use a recycled jean insulation. This material would be in between the waterproof layers and would keep the bag hot or cold, as well as being a more earth friendly choice.
Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Patterns Lunch Bag / Planter green
green
x8 white and grey
green and grey
x4 x6
green and grey
x4
x4
grey white and grey green and grey
x2
x2
x8
grey x4
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Final Model
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Final Model Hero Shots
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Final Model Details
Drainage
Compartments
Pull Tag
Storage Containers
Adjustable Strap
Base 32
Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
In Context
Home / School
Indoor / Outdoor
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Hanging
Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Packing Lunch
This bag has been made to make packing lunch a breeze. With individual containers that allow you to keep your food fresh throughout the day and are reusable to help cut down on packaging waste. Each compartment of the bag will provide a perfect fit to this containers. Then all that is left is to grab the zipper pull and zip it on up.
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Using the Strap
The most flexible and useful feature of this bag is the Velcro strap. This strap can be put all the way down so that it is out of the way or can be pulled apart to the desired length to be used as a handle. This handle can also be used to allow is to be hung in an outdoor garden once it has fulfilled its purpose as a lunch bag.
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Cleaning
This bag is very easy to clean because if something happens to spill in the bag there are two drainage holes in both compartments that allow the liquid or small crumbs to flow into the bottom. Then opening the bottom is as simple as unzipping it and pouring out the waste. Then the inside of the bag can be easily be rinsed with soap and water. This feature also serves a purpose as a planter in that these are the drainage holes that allow water to not drown the plants.
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Ergonomics
The ergonomics of the bag are focused around the users interactions with it. A small ergonomic detail are the zipper pulls. These allow the user to easily pull the zipper around the corners of the bag. The main feature of the bag is the strap which allows the user to adjust the strap to any length that they feel is most comfortable to them. In some cases this strap can be used to attach the bag to other bags or other objects that allow easier transportation or convenience.
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Life Cycle
This bag starts out its life as a lunch bag that a parent would buy their child while back to school shopping one year. They see that this bag allows them to interact with their children and pack them healthy and nutritious lunches that they will love. The base of the bag perfectly fits an ice pack to keep their food cold throughout the day. The reusable containers allow the parents to save money on plastic bags and to teach their children how to do your part in preserving the health of the planet. The drainage at the bottom of the bag allow the bag to be easily washed in the sink if there are any sticky situations. The bag fulfills its duty as a lunch bag for many years until the child outgrows it or they don’t like it anymore but instead of just throwing it away they can use it for a whole other purpose. 38
The bag can now take on its roll as a planter. This planter can be used inside on a window sill or outside in a garden. The base allows the drainage holes to allow water to flow through and not drown the plants as well as not dirtying the counter. It is also very easy to clean by just unzipping the bottom and pouring out the old water. Inside on the window sill is the perfect place and lighting to grow herbs such as sweet basil which can be used for cooking. Outside the planter can house flowers that require lots of sunlight. The strap on the bag and either be adjusted down so that it is out of the way or up so it can be hung from a tree branch or a pant hanger outside in the garden. This second life of the bag allows the child to learn how to grow something and be able to call it their own. Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Color Study
Since this bag is designed to be used by kids it is important that there is a lot of options in colors and graphics so that each child can find an style that they like. This bag has almost limitless color and pattern options. These differences in color or graphics make each bag feel completely different because they are the first things you see. These are only a few basic examples that illustrate this point.
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Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132
Thank You! Robert Soper . Spring 2015 . DSID 132