An adaptable jacket that protects Pete and his wheelchair from inclement weather with an emphasis on strategic storage and functional aesthetics.
ROLES: User Research, Project Management, Documentation, Writing
Complete Case Study | Learn More about Open Style Lab
TEAM PETE
Collaboration with Chuyi Sun, Jane Mitchell, Jon Lee, La Tricia Watford, and Taylor Rodriguez as a part of the Open Style Lab and Parsons School of Design Collaboration Course.
Open Style Lab’s interdisciplinary research program, centers around socially conscious, user-centered designs in wearable technology for clients with disabilities. Designing from cross-disciplinary perspectives, allows for an increased emphasis on the inclusion of people with disabilities and designing solutions for people of all abilities. As a team comprised of a fashion designer and creative technologists, we focused our attention on functional aesthetics and considerate use of materials to create a wearable design solution for our client Pete Trojic.
Pete Trojic is a 28 year old from New York City with Cerebral Palsy. He has been disabled since birth, using both a manual wheelchair (primary use) and crutches (secondary use) for mobility. Pete enjoys dancing and rock climbing. His active lifestyle in combination with his wheelchair have caused challenges when it comes to clothing and functionality.
With Pete’s unique concerns in mind, can we create a wearable that provides protection and functionality, but is still fashionable and fits within Pete’s personal aesthetics?
OUR SOLUTION
We created an adaptable jacket that protects Pete and his wheelchair from inclement weather with an emphasis on strategic storage and functional aesthetics. Our product includes an inner jacket, a raincoat, and a chair cover that provides protection for the wheelchair as well as storage. The sleek pouch attaches to the back of Pete’s chair to carry the outerwear, as well as tools used to maintain his chair and daily essentials, keeping them portable and dry.
The Inner Jacket
Increased durability at shoulders + optimal material elasticity for comfort and ease of donning and doffing
Tailored fit
Mesh detailing for wrist visibility
Adjustable side seams to prevent bunching
The Raincoat
Waterproof
Available, built-in lap coverage
The Seat Cover
Raincoat storage
Easily removable and washable
Attachments for various items
Easily accessible while on the go
The Design Process
In order to create a truly impactful and meaningful solution for Pete, it was crucial for us to delve beyond just the physical product and immerse ourselves in the intricacies of his daily routine. This meant spending quality time with Pete outside of the familiar confines of Parsons, truly getting to know his unique set of challenges and pressures. By doing so, we were able to gain insights into the specific pain points he encounters on a day-to-day basis, helping us to craft a design that seamlessly integrates into his life and addresses his unique needs. As expected, the more we met with Pete, our design priorities shifted.
OBSERVATIONS
FRICTION - Constant contact between wheels and sleeves
RANGE OF MOTION - Necessary arm movement to propel his wheelchair creates wear in the shoulder area
LACK OF STORAGE - Problematic storage of objects while operating his wheelchair
STORAGE ACCESSIBILTY
Our research and observations not only enabled us to understand Pete's unique needs but also allowed us to identify and delineate the specific design requirements that would serve him best.
Design Requirements
Based on our design requirements and comprehensive research, we went ahead and embarked on redefining the concept of wearable attire. The ultimate goal was to create an innovative and practical solution that not only addressed the specific needs of wheelchair users but also provided them with a fashionable and versatile option. Our team decided to create an adjustable multi-layered jacket that not only reduces friction with the wheelchair but also offers optimum protection against varying weather conditions. During the prototyping phase, our main focus was on engineering a product that seamlessly blended functionality with style, ensuring that it truly reflected the Pete’s personal taste and individuality.
PROTOTYPING
The iterative process, which involved multiple rounds of brainstorming, prototyping, and testing, served as a crucial tool in our quest to create a more meaningful solution for Pete. By constantly refining and reevaluating our ideas, we were able to fine-tune our approach and ensure that every aspect of our solution catered to Pete's specific needs. This not only resulted in a more customized and tailored outcome but also showcased our dedication to providing the best possible solution for our client.
