Stage 1: Innovation
Task:
We were given four different cards of a subject and a given demographic to create a product for. We made eight pairs of subject and demographics and explored product opportunities in each category.
We then voted on our top three ideas
Using a Miro board, we then came up with as many innovative products as we could that would deal with the subject and the demographic to solve for.
We then chose the most voted and most feasible idea which was the convertible backpack/coat.
Instead of it being focused on the homeless, we changed our demographic to target campers who might be able to afford a more luxury item.
Real Win Worth it? Process
Solar Charging Camping Gear
Real:
Need? Yes, homeless individuals often need multifunctional, durable clothing for unpredictable living conditions.
Demand? Yes, but this could be niche. Would require validation through surveys or interviews with nonprofits, shelters, or directly with the target audience.
Win:
Does your team have the expertise to create this product? Likely yes, but technical challenges (like materials that adapt well) need to be solved.
Can you compete with current solutions? Check for competitors like existing multifunctional gear providers for homeless or outdoor adventurers.
Worth It:
Is it economically viable? This would depend on production costs—high-quality materials might be expensive, and you'll need funding or partnerships (e.g., with shelters).
Could it scale? Yes, if partnerships are developed with nonprofits, but it could be challenging to mass-produce and distribute.
Reflection on Stage 1 Results:
Did we consider enough opportunities?
There were enough opportunities considered as we brainstormed a total of 8 possible opportunities
Under each possible opportunities with specific ideas, considerations, and many other factors
Portable Heartbeat Monitor
Real:
Is there a clear need? Yes, monitoring a fetus's heartbeat is crucial for high-risk pregnancies.
Is there demand? Likely, as expectant mothers and healthcare providers would benefit from more accessible monitoring tools.
Win:
Does your team have expertise in medical devices? This could be a challenge unless you partner with engineers or medical professionals.
Can you compete with current solutions? There are existing devices, so the challenge is standing out with an innovative feature (e.g., lower cost, better portability, or connectivity to mobile devices).
Worth It:
Is it economically viable? Medical devices can be expensive to develop, test, and certify (FDA approval could be needed).
Could it scale? If developed and marketed properly, there’s potential, but certification and R&D might take significant time and investment.
Was our focus too narrow?
Opportunities we considered span across different areas, where we looked at outdoor gear, healthcare, and minority professional growths. These different opportunities indicate a pretty broad approach.
Idea: Convertible backpack/coat
Advancements:
You can plug your device in pocket (solar powered)
Bottom with drawstring (can close and open)
Professional Branding and Materials for Minorities
Real:
Is there a clear need? Yes, many minority-owned businesses struggle with branding and professional materials.
Is there demand? Likely yes, especially in communities with limited access to these resources.
Win:
Does your team have the expertise to address this? Yes, if you have design, marketing, and branding experience.
Can you compete with other services? There may be competitors, but you could focus on a niche audience and build a community-driven brand.
Worth It:
Is it economically viable? Branding services can be done affordably with digital tools and platforms, making this more viable compared to the previous two options.
Could it scale? Yes, through online resources or consulting, and it could be implemented across multiple regions.
Was our filtering/selection process biased
Our filtering/selection process is not biased because we all considered aspects of whether an opportunity would fulfill customer needs rather than picking something that was already in the market or on personal interest.
Stage 2: Pre- Project Planning
Market size: pretty sizable, sleeping bag market is projected to be valued at $1.91 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $3.55 billion by 2034. This includes various types of sleeping bags, and a versatile product like a sleeping bag that converts into a jacket with solar charging capabilities could capture a niche segment within this market.
Market growth rate: The sleeping bag market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2024 to 2032. Growth is driven by the increasing popularity of outdoor activities, camping, and adventure travel.
Competitive intensity: Voited, a company that actually focuses on designing wearables that has multiple uses
Depth of firm's existing knowledge of the market: although we are familiar with outdoor gear and camping equipments, we don’t have a strong understanding of consumer behavior, preferences, and trends in the sector; therefore, this depth of knowledge would need to be developed through research
Depth of firm's existing knowledge of the technology: there are numerous solar-powered products available in the camping and outdoor gear space. However, integrating this technology into fabric-based items like a sleeping bag/jacket hybrid may pose challenges.
Fit with the firm's other products: we don’t current have other products, this is a new market for us
Fit with the firm's core assets and capabilities: fits well with our focus on sustainable, eco-friendly solutions. has strong capabilities in product innovation, outdoor equipment, or renewable energy technology. also a focus on consumer lifestyle products or travel gear so this product could also fit within its core competencies.
Potential for patents, trade secrets, or other barriers to competition: very likely for patents or trade secrets, such as how solar charging technology is embedded to the fabric, or how we manufacture the product
Product Description Work
Brief description of the product: A versatile sleeping bag that can convert into a jacket, equipped with solar charging capabilities for powering devices during camping trips.
Scope of work: Design, develop, and market a dual-function camping gear item that integrates solar panels for charging electronic devices, ensuring durability, comfort, and energy efficiency.
Benefit propositions: Combines the practicality of a sleeping bag and jacket with the convenience of solar charging for off-grid camping, reducing the need for external power sources while enhancing mobility and comfort.
Key business/organizational goals: Increase market share in eco-friendly outdoor gear, promote sustainable camping solutions, and establish a reputation for innovation in multi-purpose camping equipment.
Target market(s)
Primary: Eco-conscious campers and outdoor enthusiasts looking for sustainable, multi-functional gear.
Secondary: Backpackers, hikers, and emergency preparedness consumers who prioritize space-saving and energy-efficient solutions.
Stakeholders
End-user (Campers, Hikers, Outdoor Enthusiasts)
Needs: A durable, comfortable, and easy-to-use sleeping bag/jacket with reliable solar charging for outdoor electronics
External customer (Retailers, Distributors, Eco-Conscious Consumers)
Needs: A product offering clear value through functionality, sustainability, and innovation to justify the premium price and meet eco-friendly expectations
Salesforce (Retail and Internal Sales Teams)
Needs: Clear production differentiation, strong selling points (solar charging, multi-functionality, sustainability), and customer education materials to highlight unique benefits
Service (Customer Support, Repair Technicians, Warranty Teams)
Needs: Easily serviceable components, especially for solar charging, with clear repair, warranty, and customer support process
Production (Manufacturing Teams, Suppliers, Operations Managers)
Needs: Efficient, scalable production methods that ensure quality control, minimize environmental impact, and maintain cost-effectiveness despite complex assembly requirements
Stage 3 - Competitive Research
Brand 1: Venture Heat
MAX 26W Heated Down Jacket with HeatSync
elements powered by a rechargeable battery.
Heating Zones: Includes heating zones in the back and chest for targeted warmth.
Battery Life: Long-lasting battery life, up to 10 hours of warmth depending on settings.
Temperature Control: Comes with a controller to customize heat levels (low, medium, high).
Brand 2: Selk’bag Original Model
Wearable sleeping bag made from recycled materials
Designed for mobility and warmth
Includes a hood, zippered vents, and removable booties
Ideal for outdoor activities like camping or lounging
Brand 2: Selk’bag Original Model
Knapsack
Teamed up with NHL
Zippers on shoulders to stick out arms
Cinch on bottom to close and use as sleeping bag
Hike up to waist to wear as coat
Can be washed in laundry machine
Ideal for summer trips, couch surfing, music festivals, jumping into after snowboarding, surfing
Product Goal:
Eliminate the need for outdoor adventurers to bring separate sleeping bag, jacket, and charging device. Our product would allow users to bring just one tool for all of these needs.
Primary Users
Eco-conscious campers
Age: 25-45 years old
Often live in urban and suburban area, but actively seeking experiences in nature
Location: Urban and suburban residents with access to outdoor areas (parks, trails, campgrounds).
Users prioritize products that have a minimal environmental footprint
Venture Heat Use Case
Selk’bag Use Case
Selk’bag Use Case
Demographics
Secondary:
Students
Age: 18-24
Location: University towns/outdoor-focused regions
Income: $35,000-$50,000
Lifestyle: Backpackers who value space-saving, eco-friendly solutions for casual outdoor use or travel
Retirees
Age: 55+
Income: Retirees with disposable income, often investing in quality gear for long-term use
Location: Rural or suburban areas near nature or travel destinations
Lifestyle: Active retirees who enjoy camping, hiking, and outdoor activities, seeking comfortable, innovative gear with eco-friendly features
Festival Attendees/Travelers:
Age: 18-35 years old
Income: Moderate, budget-conscious but willing to invest in versatile, eco-friendly gear
Location: Urban areas, frequent travelers
Lifestyle: Individuals attending music festivals, road trips, or spontaneous adventures, prioritizing space-saving gear that combines comfort, mobility, and solar charging for convenience while traveling
Step 4 - Data Collection
We conducted 10 interviews to watch users interact with three separate products. The first was watching them put on a comfy (wearable blanket), second was to get into a sleeping bag, and finally they had to use a portable charger to charge their phone.
Example Participant: Sierra Greningner
“It feels ok. Its hard to have a pillow underneath. I need to sleep with my ears covered and everytime I’m in a sleeping bag I have to have the head cover on and I Feel like there isnt that good of Down in the head cover”
We then made a google form and asked people to fill out our survey about what is important to them when shopping for an outdoor product.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1UalmnEpx0rNuvx0otqPq2QKTYzJf3ph4xMJaY97TbGQ/edit
“I can’t do the dishes in it. Its too puffy right here (arms). Everything kind of gets in the way”
Need Statements
“It works nice and it lasts a long time. I don’t really have any complaints about it other than its a little big”
From this survey and the Miro board we summarized the list of the most important needs.
Step 5 - Design Ideation
We used Generative AI to generate visual representations of various product concepts. This allowed us to explore a wide range of design possibilities and visualize the potential outcomes in a creative and efficient manner. Source:
https://www.recraft.ai/project/8be12c74-697d-4827-a1c0-95b74468a12d
Product Concept A
Product Concept B
Product Concept C
Product Concept D
Prompt: “Create a sleeping bag and show that it can unzip from the bottom to create a down jacket”
Prompt: “Create a sleeping bag that can unzip from the bottom of it and roll it up to create a down jacket”
Prompt: “Create hybrid jacket that turns into sleeping bag that has sleeves”
Prompt: “Create a down jacket that can turn into a sleeping bag”
Prompt: “Create a sleeping bag and show that it can unzip from the bottom to create a down jacket and it has a flexible solar panel charger for your phone”
Prompt: “Create hybrid jacket that turns into sleeping bag that has sleeves and a flexible solar panel charger on sleeve”
Prompt: “Create a sleeping bag that has individual pant legs like a jumpsuit”
Final Product Concepts
Step 6 - Prototyping
The first prototype was made with false materials, trash bags and tape.
Sustainability and Materials Research
Energy
Solar Efficiency: Use high-efficiency, flexible solar panels that minimize size and material use while maximizing energy capture
Energy Storage: Opt for batteries with lower environmental impact, such as recyclable lithium-iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) instead of traditional lithium-ion
Sourcing Materials
Sustainable Textiles: Use materials like recycled polyester or natural fibers (e.g., organic cotton, hemp) for insulation layers
Solar Panels: We can choose panels with minimal rare earth metals to reduce ecological harm during mining
Lightweight Design
Use minimal materials to ensure it stays lightweight
Minimize Waste: Design fabric cuts to reduce scrap during manufacturing
Recyclability and Post-Consumer Content
Recycled Materials: Use post-consumer content for outer shells and insulation
Modular Components: Design the product so parts like the battery, solar panels, and wiring are easily separable for recycling
Parts/ Materials/ Manufacturing
Outer Shell
Material: Recycled polyester (waterproof and durable)
Manufacturing Process:
Weaving and coating: Polyester fibers are woven into fabric and then a waterproof coating is applied
Die cutting: fabric is cut into correct shapes for assembly
Considerations:
Cost : recycled polyester is slightly more costly than new polyester
Feasibility: widely available
Assembly: panels are sewn
Battery Pack
Material: Lithium-iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) battery
Manufacturing Process:
Cell Manufacturing: Lithium and iron compounds are processed into battery cells
Pack Assembly: Cells are arranged, connected with modular wiring, and encased in a lightweight shell
Considerations:
Cost: Higher initial cost than standard lithium-ion, but longer lifespan reduces replacement needs
Feasibility: Widely manufactured but requires a reliable supply chain for consistent quality
Assembly: Battery is housed in an easily accessible compartment
Insulation Layer
Material: Recycled synthetic down (e.g., made from PET bottles)
Manufacturing Process:
Fiber Spinning: PET plastic is melted and spun into fine fibers
Thermal Bonding or Layering: Fibers are formed into lightweight, insulating sheets
Considerations:
Cost: Comparable to traditional insulation, with low material waste
Feasibility: Readily available from sustainable suppliers
Assembly: Insulation layers are stitched into place to prevent shifting
Modular Wiring
Material: Copper wires with thermoplastic insulation
Manufacturing Process:
Wire Drawing: Copper is drawn into thin wires
Insulation Coating: Wires are coated with recyclable thermoplastic
Considerations:
Cost: Low; copper wiring is standard
Feasibility: High; readily available with established suppliers
Assembly: Modular connectors are used to simplify wiring installation
Solar Panels
Material: Flexible photovoltaic cells (amorphous silicon or CIGS)
Manufacturing Process:
Thin-Film Deposition: Materials are deposited onto flexible substrates
Encapsulation: Panels are coated with a protective layer for durability and weatherproofing
Considerations
Cost: Moderate; depends on the size and efficiency of the panels
Feasibility: Flexible solar panels are commercially available but require specialized suppliers
Assembly: Panels are integrated into the outer shell with snap-on connectors for modularity
Straps and Zippers
Material: Nylon or recycled PET for straps; metal or plastic zippers
Manufacturing Process:
Injection Molding (Zippers): Plastic zippers are molded and assembled
Weaving (Straps): Straps are woven from durable threads
Considerations:
Cost: Low to moderate; depends on recycled content
Feasibility: Zippers and straps are widely available
Assembly: Integrated into the sleeping bag during final stitching
Further Prototype Iterations
Materials
Sleeping bag
Scissors
Tape
Staples
Zipper
