PD5 Design Project Blog - Client: Po Campo

Seat Bag - Working Model & Testing

2009-10-25T12:45:00.007-05:00

I was inspired by the hoods on my sweatshirts after thinking about this convertible seat bag/protective cover concept. So to see if this idea would even work, before trying to design style and aesthetics into the product, I built a working model to test. The bag had to have a large enough opening to fit over the saddle, while at the same time not be too baggy so as not to sag down and touch the wheel when being used as a storage trunk. Keeping the opening waterproof was another concern, which I solved with a flap of fabric.

The next step is to stylize the shape of the bag to compliment Po Campo's current offerings, as well as design in some functional elements that deal with how the bag connects to the bike. In the testing video, when the bag is in seat cover mode, some of the straps that are needed for "bag mode" have no where to go and are left dangling. That will be addressed in the next iteration of the design.

Paper Model

2009-10-21T18:40:00.000-05:00

A quick paper mock up of one of the shoe covers:

Preparing for Presentation to Po Campo

2009-10-21T11:18:00.000-05:00

In the next week Greg and I will continue to develop working, testable prototypes of our 3 concepts - Rolling Bag, Shoe Cover, and Seat Bag.

We will present our sketches, models, and images and video of product testing to Emily's partner, Maria, on Wednesday, Oct. 28

Transformable Under-Seat Bag

2009-10-21T11:15:00.000-05:00

This is a rough concept sketch for an under-seat storage bag that could transform into a seat cover to keep the seat clean and dry when parked outside.

Shoe Covers

2009-10-21T10:10:00.001-05:00

These are concepts for a shoe cover that will protect the toes and shoes from pedals and road hazards. We're looking into a full shoe cover that will provide more foul weather protection as well.

Bag Concepts

2009-10-21T09:37:00.000-05:00

Design ideations for a larger bag with a rolling "wheelie" feature

Email Correspondence

2009-10-03T18:43:00.000-05:00

Emily:

Thank you again for inviting us to your release last night.

As promised, we have a few ideas we are exploring and I wanted to run those by you briefly as we continue to develop the products, specifically: a larger rear rack mounting rolling bag; shoe strap and shoe cover; under-mount seat pack with map and repair tools as well as a compact hand pump. We had a concern regarding the compact hand pump and wanted to ask you if it was in the realm of Po Campo's manufacturing capabilities or not.

Gabe and I also wanted to ask if we could get the information on your manufacturer so that we could possibly set up a tour and see exactly what goes into producing one of your bags, and would it be possible to get the color and pattern swatches from you?

Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Greg Clark
Product Design
Columbia College Chicago

Hey Greg,

Thanks for coming by, it was nice meeting your team.

Here are my thoughts;
-We currently do not have the capabilities to manufacture hard goods
(custom plastics/metals). We are open to custom ideas as a blue sky
concepts or I would suggest you look for stock parts or local
manufacturers to produce something custom.

-As far as a tour, I can't guarantee I can arrange something, but I will
see what I can do. The facility has the capabilities to do industrial
sewing, fabric die cutting (including leather).
-For pattern swatches; part of our plan is to constantly change fabrics so
that each production is a limited edition. We currently use outdoor
upholstery fabrics, but are open to anything that is water resistant and
fashionable.

Let me know if you have anymore questions!

Emily

Po Campo Fall Line Release Party

2009-09-30T18:24:00.000-05:00

This Wednesday night Greg and I attended the open house for Po Campo's new line of fall fabrics for their rack and handlebar bags. The party was at De Fietsfabriek on Wells in Old Town. Jon from De Fiets had his new arrivals proudly on display along with the bags. It was an excellent opportunity to introduce ourselves personally to Emily and Maria after Emily's presentation to our class a few weeks ago. They were very excited about their new line and also eager to hear what kind of ideas we were coming up with. Emily told us they had just returned from Interbike - a trade show in Las Vegas - where their bags were featured on a runway fashion show of cycling accessories. It really sounds like they have a corner of the market that isn't being explored by other cycling apparel and accessories companies. It's a great opportunity for them and us to come up with new products with a style-based function for everyday cycling.

One of Po Campo's happy customers told me that something she always wanted, but could never find, was a shoe cover that would allow her to wear flats or flip flops without worrying about them getting caught on the pedals or something on the ground and being pulled off. With flip flops or sandals she was looking for something that would protect her toes from sharp objects, or even the pedal surface itself. We were very excited to hear this since one of our initial brainstorming ideas was an over-the-shoe boot for foul weather. This will help us expand that concept into a product that will hopefully interest Po Campo.

We're planning on meeting with Emily again soon to present some of our concepts.

Email Correspondence

2009-09-28T18:38:00.000-05:00

Greg is the contact person for our group with Emily at Po Campo. We've introduced ourselves and started a dialog with her.

Emily:

I wanted to take a moment and introduce myself, Greg Clark, and my
teammate Gabe Weiss. We have both chosen to work on the Po Campo design
project through Columbia this semester and we are both excited and
energized with some great ideas for your company. Tao and Carl wanted each
group to have one contact and I wanted to let you know that it will be
myself. As the schedule has, we are in the initial concept generation
phase and continued research phase of the project and so far Gabe and
myself have some great ideas. I am not sure of your schedule as of this
point being that you are recently married, however, we would like to
discuss the direction we are going with the project and get feedback from
you, whatever the easiest method of communication would be, phone, email,
etc.

Thank you and we look forward to working with you and Po Campo.

Sincerely,

Greg Clark
Product Design
Columbia College Chicago

Hey Greg,

That is wonderful! We are excited to have your input and look forward to
collaborating as much as we can.

The wedding hub-bub has passed, so now its Po Campo full speed ahead. We
actually just got back from Interbike, its a great tradeshow full of Bike
EVERYTHING, you would love it. The best times to reach me by phone is
after 6pm or anytime by email. I can usually get back to emails within a
day.

This Wed. we have our Fall Line release party at De Fiets 6-8pm. It would
be great if you and your partner could come- or any of your classmates.
Its free but please RSVP @ http://fallbikeparty.eventbrite.com/ You could
meet my partner and we can answer any questions you have.

Talk soon,

Emily Siegler

Co-Owner

Po Campo

t. 773.414.1556

f 773.271.0980

www.pocampo.com

Brainstorming

2009-09-23T18:09:00.000-05:00

After reviewing the images, ideas were tossed over a burger and a beer.

Directions we thought of were:

An under-seat bag of some sort
A larger trunk or rear mounted bag, perhaps with wheels (rolling luggage)
A shoe or shoe cover/rain boot
Nesting bags
A Chicago specific item, like a towel or detail with Chicago bike lane map or bike shop map
Accessory storage such as water bottles, U-Lock, tool kit, etc...
Personal accessories such as a water bottle, flask, perfume or hand sanitizer bottles, bottle opener, tool kit, lights, sunglasses, air pump

Teams and Research

2009-09-16T17:56:00.000-05:00

Teams were selected, and I (Gabe Weiss) was paired with Greg Clark. We Began gathering photo research for our target market - female cyclists, high end fashion accessories, and chicago/urban specific bags and totes. I also joined the Po Campo mailing list to stay up to date with what the company was up to.

From Bike Photo Research

View the whole image gallery here

Client Presentation

2009-09-09T17:42:00.000-05:00

Today was the first day of class for Product Design 5, and we heard presentations from the clients we will be working with for the semester.

Emily, one of the founding designers for Po Campo, presented her line of bags and purses for todays fashion conscious cycling woman. Emily and her partner Maria are looking to expand their line of products and are interested in exploring other concepts for fashion appropriate accessories that work with a bicycle.

Po Campo Website