Final Year Project - LayerUp

In my final year at Loughborough University I chose to do a project that included; ergonomics, 3D printing, modular design, fabric, sportswear and protective impact & abrasion resistant material.

I was using a skateboard to travel from my house to university multiple times a day while carrying a number of items such as; laptop, camera, books, ipad and other misc items.

Below you will see the full process that resulted in the final design for LayerUp – The modular protective backpack for skateboard commuters.

Layered Modular Design

Each layer provides a different modular function for the product.

Designed for commuters

Harness provides both balance and security for mobility.

Protection by design

Protection for both the enclosed items and for the wearer.

Concept Sketching

This project began with concept generation.

At the beginning I really didn’t know how the design would come together. I knew I wanted there to be a harness with additional features added to it to create a modular design.

I began my concept sketching with some basic harness style ideas and then added some additional details to rough out how the backpack and armour sections would be formed.

Concept Sketching

This project began with concept generation.

At the beginning I really didn’t know how the design would come together. I knew I wanted there to be a harness with additional features added to it to create a modular design.

I began my concept sketching with some basic harness style ideas and then added some additional details to rough out how the backpack and armour sections would be formed.

Development Sketches

Once I had roughed out the design, I did some additional sketches which helped me to refine the design further.

These sketches began with some of the most relevant ergonomic measurements, then some further harness & modular storage options.

Load more

Body Armour Concepts

I cut out a number of card pieces to help me generate some quick ideas for how the body armour could potentially look.

I drew out a few shapes that I felt would be line with the kind of aesthetic I was trying to achieve. I then cut out each piece twice and arranged them out on the floor until I had created a number of configurations.

To the right shows the configurations I was most happy with.

The 6 examples below were my favorites.

Load more

Body Armour Concepts

I cut out a number of card pieces to help me generate some quick ideas for how the body armour could potentially look.

I drew out a few shapes that I felt would be line with the kind of aesthetic I was trying to achieve. I then cut out each piece twice and arranged them out on the floor until I had created a number of configurations.

To the right shows the configurations I was most happy with.

The 6 examples below were my favorites.

Load more

LayerUp

A modular, protective backpack for skateboard or e-skate commuters.

Prototype Stages

The development process requires a number of different stages of design iterations.

PROTOTYPE 1

PROTOTYPE 2

PROTOTYPE 3

Final Design Prototype

I learned a lot from prototyping the initial designs.

It became clear that the best location for the laptop would be on the back below the main body of the storage module.

I created the basic design for the harness making sure it was securely connected to the body but still allowed movement

I also created the articulated armour and the storage modules, and the fastening method for all the elements.

Final Design Prototype

I learned a lot from prototyping the initial designs.

It became clear that the best location for the laptop would be on the back below the main body of the storage module.

I created the basic design for the harness making sure it was securely connected to the body but still allowed movement

I also created the articulated armour and the storage modules, and the fastening method for all the elements.

Real World Test

Before going ahead with the final material prototype, I took the calico prototype out to a skate park.

Testing showed that the movements of the wearer were not hindered and that the position of the backpack was suitable for skating.

Real World Test

Before going ahead with the final material prototype, I took the calico prototype out to a skate park.

Testing showed that the movements of the wearer were not hindered and that the position of the backpack was suitable for skating.

LayerUp

A modular, protective backpack for skateboard or e-skate commuters.

Final Design Prototype

The final design was produced in full correct material selection.

This included abrasion resistant fabric on the external surfaces including the articulated armour modules, contrast interior colour lining, YKK heavy duty zippers, hardwearing webbing & fasteners and waterproof container fabrics for device modules.

The harness is fully elasticated to allow movement, the modules are firmly secured but are also removable and the armour segments are colour coded to help with re-securing them once they have been removed.

Load more

Final Design Prototype

The final design was produced in full correct material selection.

This included abrasion resistant fabric on the external surfaces including the articulated armour modules, contrast interior colour lining, YKK heavy duty zippers, hardwearing webbing & fasteners and waterproof container fabrics for device modules.

The harness is fully elasticated to allow movement, the modules are firmly secured but are also removable and the armour segments are colour coded to help with re-securing them once they have been removed.

Load more