This technical jacket was developed as part of design research project called Design For Aging Well (DFAW) and part of a research degree Titled The Development of a Methodology for the 'Design of Functional Garments from Initial Concept to Product Launch'. 

M9 Shell was part of a wider technical clothing range co-designed with stakeholders and an end-user group to cater for the needs and fit for the active aging (55-70), and encourage aging with activity and healthy lifestyle. 2D scan data was used to develop the technical patterns and sizing and capture the size and shape of an otherwise poorly catered for demographic. Wearable technology functionality was integrated into the clothing layers to bring about features that facilitated group walking/hiking activities. 

For the research degree, the jacket was used to develop specification methods. The study involved working with UK brands and factories in China covering a wide range of outdoor activities with the objective of making recommendations for a more effective design development process in global supply chains. 

The jacket itself has a waterproof keypad and cable integrated into the sleeve and links up to a Bluetooth module to speak with a smartphone. The layering system talks to each other to bring together radio communication, navigation, heartrate monitoring, among other features. 

The design specification includes information based on hands-on development, including basic prototyping and technical patterns, as a part of the recommendations for a more effective design process