Senior Industrial Design Thesis Project
Throughout my life, I have become very close friends with quite a few people who serve in the military. These people are some of my dearest friends. As their friend, I get to hear all the complaints and comments they have about the gear they have to use. Listening to them talk, one thing stood out to me; the massive negative impact that one injured soldier has on the efficiency, effectiveness and safety of a unit.
The Fall Semester of my senior year of college was dedicated to developing a piece of military gear that would facilitate more rapid (and efficient) transport of wounded soldiers out of kill zones.
I started off by using the gear myself so that I could better understand what a soldier would experience when moving a wounded comrade.
I then set out to quantify my research. I developed a test to obtain the average time required to move one wounded soldier while utilizing any one of the three major movement methods taught by the military.
The drag was the most efficient. One person went into the kill zone to get one person out. The possibility for one person to drag two people out was even a possibility. But how could I make it quicker and less strenuous for the person doing the dragging. I drew inspiration from things I have had exposure to throughout my life.
Things that inspired the final design solution: dancing "stiff as a board, light as a feather", chinese finger traps and self inflating life vests.
I had some ideas, now it was necessary to generate concepts and do some more testing.
I progressed through ideation and sketch model testing for a couple months before arriving at a final concept.
Next it was necessary to apply my inspiration to the design development. Whatever the solution, it needed to be worn at all times and be very unobtrusive but also ready in the blink of an eye... or the pull of a handle.
I finally arrived at a concept that provided core stabilization, load bearing allowances and body armor. It would be worn at all times while in combat areas and would provide increased protection to soldiers.
Cutaway view of the back of the vest showing the interior stabilization system.
Cutaway view of the shoulder and neck of the vest.
Cutaway view of the front of the vest showing armor panels and alternating foam layers.
People viewing process posters for my Thesis class at our mid semester process show.
Final presentation installed and ready for critique and the show opening.
Presenting to KU Industrial Design professors and professional designers from Lawrence and Kansas City for my final critique.
