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CALYX-35


A field-researcher backpack designed for organized storage and efficient task-switching.  DURATION
Spring 2025
10 weeks TOOLS
 Sewing
Pattern-making
Sketching TEAM
Kat Lew
Grace Giezentanner



















TARGET AUDIENCE:
Field researchers who study plants, animals, or ecosystems in their natural environments.














MARKET RESEARCH

CURRENTLY, FIELD RESEARCH USE EXISTING PACKS


HIKING BACKPACKS
Hip pouch offers easy access to some tools
Top flap keeps interior dry

No exterior pockets for easy access
Heavy, no modularity for different tasks


WATERPROOF PACKS
Easy to clean
Protective against water and mud

No pockets for organization
Tools are difficult to reach, must remove pack
 

EXPERT INTERVIEW



Sierra is a conservation biologist with 12 weeks of field research experience. 
This is a tour of her field backpack!





SIERRA’S BACKPACK CRITERIA:


DISLIKES carrying her large day pack when actively taking samples.
LIKES carrying her essentials in a smaller, detachable bag.
WANTS tools such as her notebook and sample tubes to be quickly accessible.














INSIGHTS

A FIELD RESEARCHER PACK SHOULD SUPPORT...














“Things move fast in the field and I have to be able to switch quickly between tasks. A crab could be running away!”
















DESIGN OPPORTUNITY

Hip pouches are often used to store essential tools.

Can modularity allow researchers to leave their main pack behind while retaining access to essentials?












CONCEPT 1

Detachable Hip Pouch

CONCEPT 2

Sample Tube Storage













REFINEMENT

Exploring Modular Detachment Methods















PROTOTYPE

Refining Shapes + Proportions













SEWING

Final Construction


















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