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This luggage concept was created during my year long collaboration with Hermés. During the initial six months I collaborated with a team of engineers, business managers, and designers at MIT and after which I was individually contacted to further develop the concept.
Tools: Solidworks, Adobe Illustrator, Keyshot, Laser Cutting, 3D Printing, Physical Prototyping Tools
problem
How might we encourage sustainable use through the design of luggage?
At Hermès, we strive to create beautiful and functional objects that can be repaired and passed on from generation to generation. The quality of the materials, combined with the exceptional know-how kept alive by its artisans, makes for sustainable creations characterized by timeless elegance.
In this spirit, we would like to explore ideas for a luggage that embraces sustainability as its key design consideration. In the design of the luggage, we aspire to encourage sustainable use through its versatility, reparability, durability, and timelessness.
solution
The creation of an expanding suitcase that did not compromise on the structural integrity would eliminate the need for customers to purchase multiple different size suitcases cutting down on excess. With the use of an elegant mechanism and thorough consideration in repairability and material choice, I strove to create a one of a kind luggage that would bend elegance and functionality without compromise.
process
The project started with market research. A user journey was created alongside customer interviews and meetings.
From these interviews and meetings we noticed that many of Hermes's clientele would often own multiple peices of luggage of various sizes but would only use one or two at a time. There where also times where they would buy an extra suitcase during their trip due to running out of sace.
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After the initial interviews where done Multiple Sprints where done where varying fidelity models where created and tested until we reached a final design.
During these sprints there where issues with stability and alignment with Hermes's brand identity which caused a shift in concept to go from one of a modular suitcase to an expanding design that would expand in an elegant and unique way exclusive to Hermes.
This design used cutting edge smart materials to facilitate in the ability to expand and contract. It re imagined luxury travel though its blend of cutting edge technology and elegance.
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The project concluded with a go to market strategy and pitch to Hermés along side customer feedback.
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After the conclusion of the project, Hermès was impress and wanted a further development of the idea to which I volunteered to do.
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Though a more user feedback and interviews I identified weaknesses within the final idea and sought to fix them.
The final idea did not manage to capture the identity of Hermés. Known for their quality and timeless elegance, the use of smart materials just for the sake of using it was seen as countrary to their identity.
The use of technology within the product was seen as gimmicky and slapped on and did not have any sense of elegance upon it. With these qualms in mind, I designed an alternate idea where the expansion and compression of the suitcase was dealt with using an elegant mechanism.
With usertesting and feed back on the mechaism, I proceeded develop concept to be able to fully open and close with wheels attached.
After meeting with Hermès, they loved the mechanism was shown interest in further development but due to monetary constraints and other oblications I had to decline.
Hopefully one day I will be able to continue this project.
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