Grow
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
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Project Description
I hereby present to your next backpack. This backpack is built to bring you comfort through you whole day, independent of your hight, or physical capabilities. In addition, this backpack is meant to promote sustainable choices in your everyday life, such as buying a durable backpack made with locally sourced and biodegradable and recyclable materials.
Geographical Scope
Project Region
Urban or rural issues
Physical or other transformations
EU Programme or fund
Which funds
Description of the project
Summary
Rolling backpacks are a wonderful helping aid that is often met with stigma, especially among young adults. In middles school we were handed standard backpacks that, because of my hight, would reach me down to my knees when filled with books I used on a normal school day. I had no choice than to find a rolling backpack to be able to keep up with the other students. I felt verry different from the other students, I hated this backpack. Therefore, now I have created the backpack I wish I had then.
This backpack aims to remove some of that stigma by showing that it is possible to find a rolling backpack that is even more ecstatically pleasing than classic backpacks.
What really sets it apart from the rest is that it is easily customizable with the vision that it will be made with local sourced sustainable materials. This will give the producers the freedom to make local personal versions of the backpack and also make it customizable to the user if needed.
Normal rolling backpacks or trolleys are usually verry big. In contrast, this one is small, but is expandable when needed making it verry space sufficient and light weight.
Key objectives for sustainability
The product is meant to be hand crafted. The craftsmen are encouraged to repurpose, or take advantage of, the sustainably sourced local materials around them to make the product. In Norway, wool is a material that is in such an abundance allot is thrown away each year, so using a woollen fabric would be a good choice. Whilst in other country there are other local products that could be used instead. Same goes for the wooden parts. All smaller metal parts are all standard parts so that it is easily accessible all over the world if needed for repair or for production. In further developments of the design a better solution for the retractable handle will be made in regard to the sustainability aspect.
As the product is hand crafted, it will be more expensive than other backpacks. But when you pay more for a product, you also take better care of it. Maybe if the fabric tears you will then go through the trouble of repairing it and maybe also customize it yourself.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The backpack breaks with traditional backpack design in an attempt to encourage a new way of thinking within backpack design. In this way, it will also break away from the stigma surrounding this type of product. It sticks out from similar products but is still laid-back tires not to draw attention to itself.
As the materials used are locally sourced there will also be local variations in the design giving each piece a unique look.
Key objectives for inclusion
The idea for the design came from my own experience with unbearably heavy backpacks growing up. I am 1.40m tall, so the standardized backpack we got at school reached me to my knees. Reluctantly, I had to start using a rolling backpack to be able to handle the weight. Due to the stigma around rolling backpacks, especially for teens, I hated every second of it. Therefore, I wanted to create what I wished I had then.
But even for average hight, healthy individuals carrying around a backpack/bag all day can be straining. Therefore, this backpack is made as a combo. You can carry it when you want and roll it if it gets too heavy. This also allows for flexibility in uneven terrain.
If you go to the store, or for another reason have more to carry during the day, you can attach the expandable side pockets with space enough for two grocery bags.
Physical or other transformations
Innovative character
Here, all three aspects are weighted equally. The aesthetic is not compromised by universal design or vice versa. It is a inclusive fashion statement promoting a sustainable transformation in our daily lives as we make our way into the green transition.
