How I became a designer in two weeks

My team for the project

First two weeks of classes were unusual. I attended Sports & Wellbeing Design Contest 2018. It is an international project with students from Latvia, Sweden, Belgium, The Netherlands and different companies who sell products related to sports and wellbeing. The goal of the project is to develop new prototypes based on product research and target audience.

We were working in international teams. My team members were three Belgians, one Hollander and me. Our company was Offroad Working. It encourages people working outside and sells trailers with attachable to bikes that can be transformed into desk. This way you can build an office outside and work in nature. The cool thing about the trailer is that it has a solar panel with a battery and you can use it for charging your phone or computer while working.

First introduction to the product

Firstly, we were introduced with a product. We liked the idea that it’s mobile and nature-friendly but it needed a lot of redesigning. Therefore we did two testings with potential customers and a survey online to find out how people feel about the trailer and how they behave with it. The product needed more stability, wind and sun protection, space for storage. We came up with three different concepts how we imagine the folding desk. 

Testing in the company

Concepts for the new product

Concept #3 was the one that we developed at made a final prototype for it. We designed a saddle bag to put on a bike. It has two drawers – one is for storage and other works like a chair. The length of legs is adjustable so it can be a standing desk as well. It can be turned as a troley so it's easy to carry even without a bike. We excluded the solar panel because customers are not keen into working for long outside and they don‘t need additional power to charge a computer. 

Check a video about our working process :)

Prototype on the bike

The drawers and a cushion to sit on

Tadaaam! Transformation from saddle bag to the table

Guy from the company is enjoying our prototype

To be honest, I was a bit confused at the beginning of the project because I couldn’t find my role in the team as a communication student. But at the end I became responsible for making videos and redesigned a logo for the company. I enjoyed workshops since prototyping was a new thing for me. And I learned how to drill properly! We didn’t win the contest but it was unusual experience. My team mates were very nice to tolerate my ignorance about design and overcome temptation to speak in Dutch as I was the only one who don’t speak this language in the team. Anyway, students with different backgrounds can unite their knowledge and together reach great results!

Last photo to prove the project was fun. We did wall climbing as team building activity