PenPals
-
A high capacity pencil case with unique organization solutions.
Soft Goods, CMF Design
High capacity solutions tend to be bulky, messy, and chaotic, and the owners have accepted this because they’re “fine” and “get the job done.”
The Problem Space
Some people need to keep a variety of stationery items on their person. Their storage solutions might look like these:
Additional Research
While in Taipei, I visited stationery stores and attended the 2023 Taiwan International Stationery Fair, to better understand the target market and competitors. I learned that some products address this problem space, but are not readily available for consumers in the U.S.
Art can be messy, but pencil pouches don’t have to be.
User Statements
Quotes pulled from interviews and surveys.
Sketch Explorations
CMF Exploration and Research
Color Explorations
Material Research
Identified common and potential materials for pencil pouches.
Technical Pack
Prototype Development
Initial paper pattern pieces. Added zipper to visualize final. Realized pattern wouldn’t fit zipper.
Zipper and Internal Pocket Structure Adjustments
Updated paper pattern for zipper and reduced parts. Sewed prototype, then used pens for size validation.
Final Pattern Validation
Increased seam allowance on pattern. Tested paper models. Sewed final prototype. Tested Magnets.
Functional Prototype
Cut pattern from canvas. Sewed pockets. Salvaged mesh from old pouch. Sewed zippers.
