PROJECT TYPES:
CLASS, TEAM OF 4
AFFILIATION:
STANFORD
TIMELINE:
2024. 10 WEEKS.
SKILLS:
User Interviews, Accessibility Design, Soft Goods
Parrot Pack
CONTEXT
A double-sided wheelchair storage bag that can be attached to the handle of a wheelchair in a single swoop! Named after the parrot fabric, the Parrot Pack was made as a solution to inadequate storage space on wheelchairs.
During a project-based class with a focus on assistive technology my group was partnered with Abby, who desired more accessible storage space for wheelchairs.
If wheelchairs have storage, it is often in inconvenient locations like below the chair. Her personal solution was attaching a backpack behind iyt, but this was uncomfortable and left her belongings out of sight. She asked that our solution attach to the wheelchair arm to make it easily accessible and more secure.
PROCESS
Getting to know Abby has been an experience that changed my look on the world and the structures and sapces we build. Through user interviews and home visits we were able to better understand the broader scope of accessibility, or the lack of it, that we were working in.
On market solutions often occupied one side of the wheelchair handle, however we explored a dual-sided bag to maximize storage space and conform to the handle’s geometry.
My responsibility was in designing the mechasimg to attach the bag to the chair. I developed an accesible attachment method where the bag was made of one cut of fabric which was threaded through a slit in the body to secure in place.
Prototyping moved from proof of concept to a dimensionally accurate bag focused on order of operations and manufacturability.
RESULTS
Our final bag was sewn out of canvas material and inner lined withfleece. Magnetic bag clips were used to close the pouches. The parrot print was selected by our project partner, hence the product name "Parrot Pack".
The Parrot Pack was a success! It was great to design a product with a clear end user and design based on research I conducted in person.
It would have been nice to create a more refined design, but as a group it was our first time sewing. Our product is functional, but for duration it would need to be fabricated professionally.
LEARNINGS
It's ok to "reinvent the wheel" if this reinvention creates a more accessible product
Understanding the problem is the most important step
Plan accordingly when expecting a learning curve
Be purposeful with selecting prototype fidelity to save time and answer your questions
