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Flux
From 2010 to 2015 there has been a 98% growth in commuting to work in New York City. With this growing interest, New York City bike commuters face many challenges when biking to work, such as oncoming traffic and avoiding obstructions. However, for young professionals, one challenge they face is transiting from athletic wear to the required business apparel of a workplace after a sweaty work commute. Flux was designed to assist in this process, making for an easier and calming transition period into the workday.
Currently, commutes use normal backpacks to carry their change of clothes in a zip lock bag. They then change in the bathroom and freshen up with deodorant and other hygienic items. Some also leave their business shoes and another change of clothes at their desk. Also, some commuters go as far as finding a nearby gym to shower and change into in the morning.
During our ideation process, we approached our problem statement from many angles. Everything from attempting to create mobile changing rooms to ripping off sleeves from flannels. As we continued to ideate, we began to focus on the idea of creating a pack to potentially help make the transition from an athletic environment to a business setting. We discussed colors, forms, compartments, and materials in order to approach a finalized design.
After our ideation and creation of sewing patterns, we were able to begin our prototyping of Flux. The outside is created from recycled polyester and the inside lining is created from recycled ripstop nylon, both ensuring the stability of the pack. The three compartments, a business pack, shoe and hygiene section, and clothing compartments all makeup Flux. Flux is meant to be used both in the bathroom, as the convenient handle up on top allows it to hang on bathroom stall hooks, and the workplace, as the compartments can come apart.
