Senior Design Thesis

Smart hiking equipment for kids that enhances both safety and enjoyment in children's hiking experience. This innovation promises to make outdoor adventures more secure and engaging for young hikers.

Prototyping

Patterning

User Research

Soft Goods

Ergonomics

Primary Research

Brief

A senior industrial design thesis is a comprehensive project that synthesizes a student's design knowledge and skills to address a real-world problem, culminating in a functional and innovative product or system that showcases their ability to conduct research, ideate, prototype, and refine solutions.

Timeline

32 Weeks

IN PROGRESS

Preliminary Research

I conducted in-depth preliminary research focused on designing smart technology hiking equipment for children. This research involved exploring current market gaps, understanding the needs and safety concerns of both parents and young adventurers, and analyzing existing outdoor gear technology. By integrating gamification elements and advanced safety features, my goal is to create innovative products that enhance outdoor experiences, foster family connectivity, and ensure safety. This foundation sets the stage for a comprehensive design solution that promotes adventure, learning, and bonding in nature.

Ideation

I delved into brainstorming and refining concepts for smart technology hiking equipment for children. This phase involved extensive sketching, prototyping, and collaborative discussions to explore various design possibilities. By focusing on user-centered design principles, I aimed to create solutions that seamlessly blend functionality, safety, and fun. The ideation process was crucial in identifying key features and innovative elements that would enhance outdoor adventures for children and their families, laying the groundwork for the subsequent development and finalization of the project.

Untitled_Artwork (1).png

Concept Boards

I developed 12 concept sketch boards to explore a range of potential ideas for smart technology hiking equipment for children. Each board represents a unique approach to integrating safety features, gamification elements, and innovative designs tailored to young adventurers and their families. These concept sketches served as a critical phase in visualizing and refining my ideas, allowing me to evaluate different design directions and identify the most promising solutions.

  • Concept 1

  • Concept 2

  • Concept 3

  • Concept 4

  • Concept 5

  • Concept 6

  • Concept 7

  • Concept 8

  • Concept 9

  • Concept 10

  • concept 11

  • Concept 12

Top 3 Concepts Chosen

  • Concept 5

  • Concept 8

  • Concept 9

In Progress.

I am currently continuing my senior thesis project into the next semester, focusing on finalizing the CAD designs and refining the final concept for smart technology hiking equipment for children. Building on the research, concept sketches, and ideation work completed so far, I will be developing detailed 3D models and prototypes to bring my ideas to life. This next phase will involve rigorous testing and iteration to ensure the designs meet the highest standards of functionality, safety, and user experience. I am excited to see this project evolve and to create an innovative solution that enhances outdoor adventures for young explorers and their families.

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