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Design Concept for Thule Luggage - A Flexible Solution for Traveling with Multiple Bags

Björnsdotter, Astrid LU and Olsson, Maja (2018) MMKM05 20172
Innovation
Abstract
During travels, people want to be able to move fast and smooth from point A to point B. Thereby, many people can relate to the struggles which occur when carrying several belongings simultaneously.

This master’s thesis was performed in collaboration with Thule Sweden AB and the purpose was to develop a design concept which would make it easier to travel with
a wheeled luggage in combination with a secondary bag such as a laptop bag or handbag.

The design process started off with benchmarking competitors and their solutions to similar problems followed by a user study including observations of travelers and their habits, interviews and user journeys. From this, key findings were gathered and served as foundation for the... (More)
During travels, people want to be able to move fast and smooth from point A to point B. Thereby, many people can relate to the struggles which occur when carrying several belongings simultaneously.

This master’s thesis was performed in collaboration with Thule Sweden AB and the purpose was to develop a design concept which would make it easier to travel with
a wheeled luggage in combination with a secondary bag such as a laptop bag or handbag.

The design process started off with benchmarking competitors and their solutions to similar problems followed by a user study including observations of travelers and their habits, interviews and user journeys. From this, key findings were gathered and served as foundation for the identification of user needs, creating of personas and for decomposing the problem into the most important functions. Based on these, a large number of concepts were produced in a first concept generation phase
through brainstorming, sketching and parallel prototyping. The concepts were evaluated and one was chosen to be elaborated in a second concept generation phase.

The final concept is called Thule Unite and is a feature which enables fast and easy attachment of a secondary bag onto a wheeled luggage. The solution consists of a
bar, equipped with two elastic bands, integrated into the wheeled luggage and does not interfere with the design of the luggage nor its fixed- and telescopic handle.
When using Thule Unite the user places their secondary bag on top of the wheeled
luggage, pulls the bar over and around the bag and the telescopic tubes and then
releases it. The bar is pulled against the telescopic tubes by the elastic bands which
are at the same time pressing the secondary bag towards the wheeled luggage. Thule
Unite allows fastening of various types and sizes of secondary bags and is easily
managed with only one hand. The concept aim travelers who are not willing to
compromise in the choice of their personal everyday bag.

The functional and minimalistic design of the concept would fit into a Thule
wheeled luggage and achieve the company’s mission to help people transport the
things they care for safely, easily and in style. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Björnsdotter, Astrid LU and Olsson, Maja
supervisor
organization
course
MMKM05 20172
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
luggage, travel, Thule, connecting two bags, concept development, carry-on, suitcase
language
English
id
8934356
date added to LUP
2018-02-06 09:48:08
date last changed
2018-02-06 09:48:08
@misc{8934356,
  abstract     = {{During travels, people want to be able to move fast and smooth from point A to point B. Thereby, many people can relate to the struggles which occur when carrying several belongings simultaneously.

This master’s thesis was performed in collaboration with Thule Sweden AB and the purpose was to develop a design concept which would make it easier to travel with
a wheeled luggage in combination with a secondary bag such as a laptop bag or handbag.

The design process started off with benchmarking competitors and their solutions to similar problems followed by a user study including observations of travelers and their habits, interviews and user journeys. From this, key findings were gathered and served as foundation for the identification of user needs, creating of personas and for decomposing the problem into the most important functions. Based on these, a large number of concepts were produced in a first concept generation phase
through brainstorming, sketching and parallel prototyping. The concepts were evaluated and one was chosen to be elaborated in a second concept generation phase.

The final concept is called Thule Unite and is a feature which enables fast and easy attachment of a secondary bag onto a wheeled luggage. The solution consists of a
bar, equipped with two elastic bands, integrated into the wheeled luggage and does not interfere with the design of the luggage nor its fixed- and telescopic handle.
When using Thule Unite the user places their secondary bag on top of the wheeled
luggage, pulls the bar over and around the bag and the telescopic tubes and then
releases it. The bar is pulled against the telescopic tubes by the elastic bands which
are at the same time pressing the secondary bag towards the wheeled luggage. Thule
Unite allows fastening of various types and sizes of secondary bags and is easily
managed with only one hand. The concept aim travelers who are not willing to
compromise in the choice of their personal everyday bag.

The functional and minimalistic design of the concept would fit into a Thule
wheeled luggage and achieve the company’s mission to help people transport the
things they care for safely, easily and in style.}},
  author       = {{Björnsdotter, Astrid and Olsson, Maja}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Design Concept for Thule Luggage - A Flexible Solution for Traveling with Multiple Bags}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}