Urban Mountaineering
Urban Mountaineering is the collision between technical textiles and the everyday environment. The exploration was propelled by the drive to combine lightweight, durable fabrics such as Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) or ripstop nylon and apply them to accessories to suit our everyday needs. Thus, the AT Sling was born. An ultralight messenger bag built for darting around town with the performance of a bag meant for alpine expeditions.
Rapid Ideation
Paper Prototyping
This low-fidelity method allowed for the rapid iteration of form, layout, and fundamental mechanics, enabling critical functional decisions without requiring complex material investment.
Tarp Prototyping
Before settling on the final spec, Home Depot tarps were used for the early AT Sling prototypes. This cost-effective material hack was crucial for rapid iteration, providing a close simulation of the final material's function and drape.
Final Prototypes
Following successful functional testing with the cost-effective tarp prototypes, the next crucial phase was creating a prototype using the final, specified materials. This step allowed for a precise evaluation of the AT Sling's performance, ensuring that the finished product's structure, durability, and user experience accurately matched the design intent before moving into full-scale production.
For: DES 4515: Fall Senior Studio
Date: Fall 2024
Skills: Sketching, Pattern Making, Sewing, Prototyping
Tools: Singer Heavy Duty Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop, Procreate