Timothy Harris Adv. Industrial Design
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Homeless Assistance
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content 4 | research 14 | swot / poems 18 | mindmaps 22 | materials and processes 32 | interviews and personas 36 | storyboards 38 | scenarios 40 | design goals 45 | ideation 49 | sketch models 54 | design refinement and final directions 56 | prototyping final direction
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research preliminary research into the homessness problem
What does “homeless� mean? People who are living in a place not meant for human habitation, in emergency shelter, in transitional housing, or are exiting an institution where they temporarily resided. People who are losing their primary nighttime residence, which may include a motel or hotel or a doubled-up situation, within 14 days and lack resources or support networks to remain in housing. Families with children or unaccompanied youth who are unstably housed and likely to continue in that state. People who are fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, have no other residence, and lack the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing. source: Department of Housing and Urban Development
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research preliminary research into the homessness problem
On any given night, there are approximately 643,067 people experiencing homelessness in America
238,110 of those people are in families 25% suffer from mental illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression 17% are considered chronically homeless 13% are fleeing domestic violence 12% are veterans source: http://www.greendoors.org/facts/general-data.php
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research preliminary research into the homessness problem
source: 2011 Santa Clara County Homeless Census and Survey
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research preliminary research into the homessness problem
source: 2011 Santa Clara County Homeless Census and Survey
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research preliminary research into the homessness problem
The basic problem of homelessness is the need for personal shelter, warmth, and safety. Other difficulties include: Medical problems, includimg issues caused by an individual’s homeless state (e.g., hypothermia or frostbite from sleeping outside in cold weather) or issues which are exacerbated by homelessness, due to lack of access to treatment (e.g., mental health issues which are exacerbated by the individual not having privacy, quiet and a safe place to store prescription drugs for conditions such as schizophrenia) Personal security, quiet, and privacy, especially for sleeping, bathing and other hygiene activities Safekeeping of bedding, clothing and possessions, which may have to be carried at all times Hygiene and sanitary facilities Cleaning and drying of clothes Obtaining, preparing and storing food Keeping contact with friends, family and government services without a permanent location or mailing address Hostility from the public and laws against urban vagrancy. source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homelessness
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research preliminary research into the homessness problem
Homeless people endure reduced access to private and public services, gaps in their personal infrastructures, and reduced access to vital necessities: Health care and dental services Limited access to education Increased risk of suffering from violence and abuse General rejection or discrimination from other people. Loss of usual relationships with the mainstream Not being seen as suitable for employment Reduced access to banking services Reduced access to communications technology Targeting by municipalities to exclude from public space
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homelessness
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research preliminary research into the homessness problem
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homelessness
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research preliminary research into the homessness problem
source: Santa Clara County Homeless Report 2015
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research preliminary research into the homessness problem
The basic problem of homelessness is the need for personal shelter, warmth, and safety. Other difficulties include: Medical problems, includimg issues caused by an individual’s homeless state (e.g., hypothermia or frostbite from sleeping outside in cold weather) or issues which are exacerbated by homelessness, due to lack of access to treatment (e.g., mental health issues which are exacerbated by the individual not having privacy, quiet and a safe place to store prescription drugs for conditions such as schizophrenia) Personal security, quiet, and privacy, especially for sleeping, bathing and other hygiene activities Safekeeping of bedding, clothing and possessions, which may have to be carried at all times Hygiene and sanitary facilities Cleaning and drying of clothes Obtaining, preparing and storing food Keeping contact with friends, family and government services without a permanent location or mailing address Hostility from the public and laws against urban vagrancy. source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homelessness
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research preliminary research into the homessness problem
The designer should empower the individual by fostering initiative in the person they wish to reach
Reflections prompted by the book: Charity creates dependency. Thus, charity disempowers its recipients, and does not lead to lasting improvement. “Distribution” of charity “emasculates,” … and, ultimately creates resentment among the recipients. Empowerment, and development, need to replace charity. There is only so much to go around (so much money; so much time). Put any and all money and time available to the very best use possible – do not waste money or time on that which does not make the right kind of lasting impact. The Continuum of “Help” in the midst of emergency: The first stop, relief. Second stop, rehabilitation. Third stop, development. source: https://www.inphilanthropy.org/sites/default/files/files/pages/Toxic Charity Synopsis.pdf
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swot analysis Identifying elements of homelessness affecting Curches
Strength:
Weaknesses:
Opportunities:
Threats:
Pastors / Priests Church Members
Kitchens Vehicles The actual Church Personal Time
The actual church Homeless environment
Benevolence Charity Compassion Community outreach
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swot analysis Identifying elements of homelessness affecting fitness centers
Strength:
Weaknesses:
Opportunities:
Threats:
Client opportunity (showers) Health focus Resources to assist
Resistence to admission Loss of profits Staffing typically inconsistent
Services to reach out Health Education
Threats to business Loitering Sanitation / Hygeine Client Bias hurting business Loss of Clients Loss of Staff Potentially non-paying clients
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poems analysis Identifying elements of homelessness affecting Curches and stakeholders
People:
Objects:
Environment:
Messages:
Services:
Pastors / Priests Church Members
Kitchens Vehicles The actual Church Personal Time
The actual church Homeless environment
Benevolence Charity Compassion Community outreach
Pastors / Priests Church Members Landowners where homeless are squatting
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poems analysis Identifying elements of homelessness affecting fitness centers and stakeholders
People:
Objects:
Environment:
Messages:
Services:
Staff Business Owners
Equipment Educational Opportunities
The Gym building Perhaps alternative venues (for safety / hygeine)
Health Assistance Local Support
Franchize Owners Staff (sometimes) Business Owners
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mindmap
branch : social entertainment
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mindmap
branch : solitary entertainment
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mindmap
sleep in its many facilities
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mindmap
sleep in its many facilities
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materials & processes a variety of materials and proceses for developing low-cost prototypes
Aluminum Foil Light weight Conductive Water Proof Inexpensive Flexible Insulative Cleanable Reflective
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materials & processes
Masonite Inexpensive Flexible Recycled 100% wood fibers Two faces have different textures Paintable
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materials & processes
Foil Faced Bubble Wrap Insulative Various mechanical methods of forming Soft Flexible Reflective
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materials & processes
Kraft Paper Extremely durable Formable Flammable Very Inexpensive Insulative Paintable
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materials & processes
Coconut Hust / Coir Technically a waste material Can be processed into many materials such as textiles and soil mediums of different grades Light Weight Inexpensive Resilient and Soft in some instances Durable Fuel
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materials & processes
Corrugated Materials Varied mateirals (paper, plastic, metal) Can be translucent or opaque Can be waterproof Rigid along one axis Flexible along one axis Useful for construction Insulative Certain materials are inexpensive
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materials & processes
EVA Foam Sheets Lightweight Can be recycled inexpensive Widely available Insulative Insole-ative Water Resistent Soft and Resilient
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materials & processes
Silicone Resin Relativley expensive for large projects Body / Skin safe Durable Cleanable Available in a variety of durometers Useful for prototyping
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materials & processes
Rebar Durable Rigid Heavy Inexpensive Conductive Compliant Versatile Requires special tools
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materials & processes
Parachute cord Light weight strong versatile inexpensive
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nelson lau
homeless car living : an interview
Temporarily homeless in SF. Lived in a minivan and used camping equipment inside his car to sleep at night. A gym nearby provided for personal hygeinic needs. What was hard: What condition will my van (my home) be in when I return to it? Will it have a citation? Will the windows be broken? All my possessions are in that van - what will I do if someone steals that from me? A day in the life: I used apps to find the safest regions in town to park my car. Crime maps and Permit map apps showed me the best places to park. A local starbucks provided a getaway and free wifi. Being employed, I didn’t have to worry about meals. I used black felt inside my windows to give the illusion of 100% tint. It became easy to spot other car dwellers when they used patterned blankets to maintain privacy.
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persona
homeless; living out of the car
Hillary Barrows 57: After moving back to her home to take care of her mother, Hillary was unable to find stable work. After her mother passed away she discovered her mothers debts and was unable to stay in her home either. Forced out she began living in her car. Hillary is a private tutor that teaches English to ESL students. She was ruled inelegible for government assistance due to her recent migration into the state, lack of history, and recent home loss. At night she sleps at the far end of a grocery parking lot, and uses the bathroom at a fast-food restaurant to take sponge baths. She has two dogs that live with her in her sedan.
source: http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2015/05/teacher-chooses-to-live
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persona
unsheltered and homeless
Amanda Kepley, 38: She is a homeless dog owner living in a Bay Area park. Her only shelter for hereself, her fiance and her pet is a tent. Regularly she is forced to evacuate where she has set up camp due to law officers enforcing vagrancy statues. Her pet is extremely important to her. “I love him like a child ... he keeps me safe.� One of the main reasons Kepley has a dog is for emotional support and companionship.
source: http://www.urbanlegendnews.org/news/2013/04/10/controversy-erupts-over
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persona
homeless house squatter
Otalia Johns, 24: Lives in an apartment with her 1-year-old daughter and three other residents. They heat the apartment by boiling water on a hot plate. There is no gas, refrigerator or working stove. She and he daughter live as squatters in an uncompleted and abandoned apartment that still has functional electricity. She is waiting for the city to grant her legal tenency under “adverse posession� statues that allow homesteaders to acquire abandoned property after occupying it for a certain period of time.
source: http://nypost.com/2015/02/15/squatters-returning-to-nyc
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storyboard
Subtitle
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storyboard
Subtitle
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scenario Subtitle
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scenario Subtitle
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design goals project goal
To design a product that reduces the encumberance of homelessness. Homelessness takes many forms and there is no straight path bridging the gap from homelessness and being securely sheltered. By creating a product that reduces the complexities of homeless life, the homeless person can become more comfortable, self-sufficient, and empowered.
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design goals key points
improve safety the product should increase the safety of the user and their posessions accesibility the product should be easy to produce or procure without specialized equipment or distribution methods encourage and empower By addressing the needs of article or personal security, the product should give the user peace of mind. It should also be so useful as to give the user a greater degree of personal freedom.
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design goals tier 1 : must-have
price if the product is to be purchased by the homeless, it should be very inexpensive to produce. Even better if the product can be purchased by benefactors for distribution. durability the product should be durable enough to stand up to daily, outdoor use. size the product should be large enough to provide utility to the user, but not so large that it cannot be hidden usability the product should be easy enough to use without instructions of any kind allowing any person to determine how to use it based upon its intended function
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design goals teir 2 : should-have
obscurity the product should be designed that it does not attract attention to itself with obvious decoration or excessive accessories complexity the product should be of low complexity to keep cost low, and also make the product easier to use flexiblity the product should be versatile and not suited for a single location or activity as the homeless frequently are moving effeciency / performance the product should perform better than similar products under similar circumstances
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design goals tier 3 : could-have
identification the product should be customizable or unique enough that it is distingusable from other products aesthetic the product should have an appreciable percieved value (rugged) and not look disposable or cheap markability the product should have some place on it that allows the owner to indicate their ownership
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ideate
broad sweeps over car and asset security
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ideate
broad sweeps over car and asset security
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preliminary concept 1
combination cooler and heater
Peltiers, or Thermoelectric Generators are notorious for being lossy - primarily because of their method of generation. Generally they are used as solidstate cooling devices, but if you are in your car for extended periods of time why not recycle that waste heat? Sustainability! Shown is a heater/cooler I built. By having both ends made of hollow conductive material, you can heat something like soup while you cool down your beverage for dinner. This dramatically increases the effeciency of the device.
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preliminary concept 2
full disclosure permission slips
When researching possible methods to determine how and where to park without alarming the local residents, I came across a few different people suggesting that being candid is the best option.
A possiblity could to be to provide a very inexpensive guide / tear-away strip that can let a homeowner know who this person is, when they will be leaving, and most of all it will let the car-owner determine if this location is safe by simply asking.
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preliminary concept 3
portable entertainment with no age requirement
In-car entertainment. Keeping the kids (or the adults) occupied with a glow-inthe-dark drawing tablet. The panel (roughly the size of a sheet of paper) when charged is bright enough to read under. It can also be drawn on using a UV LED pen for endless night time entertainment. The heat from your hand can even make it glow brighter.
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This material is tons of fun to play with, and is quite versatile. It kept returning me to the idea of light in dark places.
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preliminary concept 4
a telescoping cupholder lamp
A solar-charged battery that fits into your cup holder. The lamp itself telescopes up and can be directed anywhere the user needs illumination.
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This concept prompted research into what may be needed inside and outside of the vehicle
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preliminary concept 5
emergency light when all else fails
Flashlights are only so good until the batteries die - the same can be said for fuel based devices. A distinct advantage to fuellanterns is that they put out heat. There is also something nostalgic about the warm irridescence of a fuel lantern. Newer venturi-jet butane torches are capable of generating enough heat to allow standard mantles to fully illuminate. A portable device that can use ordinary lighters can generate light to guide your way, and even provide some heat when you need it.
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ideate more
what can you do in a home you cannot do in a car?
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ideate more
what can you do in a home you cannot do in a car?
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develop
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direct
The tensioning tote. Using some old tricks to remove wrinkles without heat.
Seat storage table that cantilevers over the center console to provide a flat space for the inabitant.
A portable hygeine go-bag. Would have the necesseties needed to stay clean on the go. Inexpensive materials keep the price low.
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prototype 1
validation for the tension tote
As the research indicated, homeless people would like to be able to look presentable but often that is difficult because of a lack of available tools. I looked into techniques that could make a nicerlooking garment without the use of heat or an iron. One solution was to roll up a shirt and compress it under something heavy for a while to push the fabric into a flatter shape given enough time. Various methods to this technique involved a spritz of water to help relax fibers. If you can’t get heat, then a bit of moisture can go a long way. The product Swash uses an interesting system of folding and stretching a garment gently with elastic bands. This is then run through a steamer to remove the wrinkes. I tried to adopt their technique of tensioning the fabric to help smooth the fabric out.
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prototype 1
tension tote
The first protoype was built roughly to the scale of the sketch (18�x19� - not including handle) This gave a significantly greater amount of space than initially expected inside which felt excessive. The weight of the clothing inside was enough to keep it from sliding out from either end, even when swung.
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prototype 1
tension tote
Laid out flat, the tote gave ample space to fold and store clothing that was not already folded and keep it from ground contact. The handles need to be adjusted. The prototype has them built as hinges, but they need to have a greater swing (preferably adjustable). The hinges as built would not be able to hold anything but jeans due to the length of device. The tensioning feature disappointed. Only 1/2� was gained overall when flexed making it unsuitable for anything but very inflexible fabrics. Timothy Harris DSID 128
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prototype 2
validating the bag
Changing directions after a failure, I revisited the hygeine bag. Initially I had considered it much like a dopp kit and was having difficulty determining a valueable benefit for the user. My first idea was to just make it so so cheap that it oculd be given away. I revisited the design goals and tried to begin address the need for discreet storage, so naturally, I took inspiration from smugglers. While discretion was their main concern, in most instances they still wanted direct and easy access. They did this by hiding things in plain sight.
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prototype 2
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prototype 2
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prototype 2 making cheap fabric waterproof
Waterproof material is not cheap, but being an outdoor product it needs to have some degree of water resistence. Using a method I have used to dilute silicone caulkding and make rubberized grips, I decided the same technique might be able to work with fabrics. Shown to the side are two different types of cotton or cotton blended fabrics. They are both saturated with very inexpensive silicone. The water pilling on the surface of the fabric indicates that the fabric has gained the hydrophobic properties of the silicone. Testing with color also proved to work very well. I hastily applied some silicone I had pigmented green to the bottom of one of the fabrics and I believe a consistent color can be attained with more care.
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prototype 2
getting the community involved : staying inspired
Partnering with others opened up opportunities to source fabrics less expensivley. I contacted many wholesale and donation based companies that worked with recycled clothing. So far, re|create and the East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse have already expressed interest in the idea and are prepared to donate fabric toward the cause of bag creation. Suddenly the cost dropped dramatically and the solution became social. Maybe this project can be open sourced so that anyone can use it/build it/hack it? While the costs of fabric can be heavily reduced, the catch is that the fabric wont match. The very first thing that came to mind was Bilbo’s warm patch work coat. Patchwork is inherently custom, and with each bag being different, the user will have something unique that they can call their own.
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prototype 2 testing
Volumetrically the bag can hold a lot of material. Mechanically I needed to add another button onto the front cover to allow the cover to double as a mounting point. More work need to be done to figure out how the sides will expand and where precisely the shoulder straps will attach.
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prototype 2 prototyping and refining
Discretion and security are important for the user. What happens if someone comes up and tries to grab the bag? How quickly can they get the bag on and off? Considering these things I refined the form to use a single shoulder strap that has a quick disconnect. At the ower right I am testing dfferent threads that will tolerate direct force along the hem.
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prototype 2 prototyping and refining
In an attempt to remove the top cover as a permanent feature, I am trying to repurpose it as a modular piece. Shown below is the back-side of the canvas where I did not add an opaque coating under the glow material. To the right shows the light intensity when charged - more than enough to read. To remain discreet, the glow pigment will need an opaque backing
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prototype 2
form and volume study
The second prototype was intended to figure out how the gusseting will work. I am not a fan of the golf-pant-pleats. The volume seemed quite appropriate, if perhaps a touch large.
The front edge will most likely need to be stiffened to close securely and also support the weight of included modules. Timothy Harris DSID 128
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prototype 2
an idea that holds water
I was hoping that the coating I prepared would render the bag entirely waterproof allowing it to carry water if needed. With this rough voume study I was able to get it to hold 3 gallons of water for more than 20 minutes with minor leaking.
!
This exciting success gives me some new module opportunities and makes the bag relativley self cleaning Leaking occured at tiny pinholes and along seams - this should be relativley easy to manage when I am not concerned about conserving materials.
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prototype 2
something more than last time
Weaving cord through eyelets proved effective but also causes a lot of bunching which looked sloppy.
* The fabric needs to be supported around the fasteners. Here I am testing leather as a reinforcement and (subsequent) detail. Timothy Harris DSID 128
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prototype 2
testing the modules
Inside the bag, along the back, there will be different modules for different tasks. These can be pulled out and more than one can snap onto the front. I’m holding it because, as it turns out, you need special double sided “gypsy” snap to create recursive fasteners.
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prototype 2 finding closure
Attempting to design holistically, I also try to design the draw string clasp. Inspired by antiquated survival tools, this inexpensive spike turned from hardwood dowel has dozens of possible uses. Adding the nail only increases its useful potential.
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BO
S NU
!
Placing the draw string along the back provides additional security, preventing quick opening from behind. Care will need to be taken to make sure the closure method isn’t obvious as a discreet pocket should also go along the back.
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prototype 2
taking things personally
Vegetable tanned leather is unique in that it may be embossed. In a process called casing, the leather is dampened and will yeild to pressure creating a permanent mark. The tool-clasp made an excellent marking tool allowing the user to customize their bag themselves.
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final model 1 cheap fabric was swapped for stillinexpensive-but-more attractive duck cloth
Play-testing was used to determine technical uses for the clincher tool
leather detailing reinforces contact points and language semantics
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final model 1 After playtesting, a few additions were made: 1. Additional snaps were added to allow the closure snaps to function as a large handle. Here it is hanging from a car door. 2. Buckles and a carrying handle were added on after the straps themselves were used to hang the bag and hold extra items. 3. The cinch cord color was changed to something more appropriate and less what-Ihad-on-hand. Minor things like entry and exit ports were also determined.
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final model Title 1 Subtitle
Care was taken deciding how to build the module. The strongest stitch pattern is like a pillow; three internal seams and one seam to close the bag. This gave extra dimensional stability and reinforced all the corners.
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taskpak
an open-hardware backpack; designed for the homeless, built by anyone
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taskpak
keeps all of your essentials close at hand
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external carry
quick-snap shoulder straps can accomodate sleeping bags, pillows, blankets and more
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the module
the important bit
A 9x9 inch platform to develop your own task kit Instructions available online to build the backpack and a variety of task kits, such as: - Mini Folio - Wash Basin - Bike Tool Storage - Cell phone organizer - Pillow / Headrest ... Or create your own and share with the world!
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snap on
hidden versatility
Gypsy snaps, borrowed from the marine industry, allow recursive snapping. This allows for quieter operation than velcro with a lower cost per part.
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tasking Subtitle
1. Hanging the taskpak
from a car window, the user can remove the wash-basin module
2. The waterproof
fabric holds more than 20oz of water
3. Using his the mirror in
his car, the user can shave / groom outside the vehicle.
Organization pockets on the mini-folio module
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user discretion
Theft deterence bag cinch lies against back + discreet back pocket
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Subtitle Customize your bag with the cincher tool
Inexpensive DIY waterproof fabric
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