A single piece of textile that transforms between vest, tote, and backpack.
End to end design from conceptualization to prototype
Academic project at Carnegie mellon university, product design for sustainable, and emotionally durable design.
What if carry accessories could transform based on the use case and context?
Trive is a transforming carry accessory that challenges the need for hyper-specialised carry accessories It's one bag that adapts through multiple modes, designed for people who move through different social contexts without having to own a different bag for each one. A product you feel like keeping, not just a product that lives longer.
Why Trive?
Because physical durability isn't the issue, emotional durability is.
Modern consumer habits are driven by the idea that each social context requires a unique accessory, leading us to own multiple bags for different functional and stylistic needs.
⚠️The consequence:
Many get replaced not because they tear, but because they become boring or go out of style.
Why do we own so many specialized bags?
I found that urban carrying needs exist on a spectrum: from the simplicity of a clothing pocket to the capacity of a backpack. I designed the Trive Skin to be the single object that shifts across that entire range.
① Tote
Designed to be a generalist. Whether you are heading to the gym, the grocery store, or a cafe, it never looks out of place.
For books, bread, and the unexpected finds. When the day demands volume, trive folds into the "second bag" you always forget, without compromising on style or utility.
② Backpack
Additional fasteners work in tandem with heavy-duty Velcro to stabilize the weight. No matter how much you pack, the load remains secure, letting you navigate the day with confidence.
Secure the Heavy Load. Whether you are packing for a trip or a heavy day at school, the form adapts to the contents.
③ Vest Mode
But beyond the utility, it’s a statement. The technical silhouette signals that there is more here than meets the eye. It doesn't just hold your essentials; it projects an aesthetic of adaptation. It’s a piece of wearable innovation that tells the world you are equipped for whatever the day demands, whether that's a sudden trail run or a shift in the weather."
"The solution to an empty bag isn’t to carry it, it’s to wear it. Vest Mode eliminates the awkwardness of a weightless pack swaying in the wind, converting that drag into a functional layer of warmth for a chilly hike.
How Trive works?
What makes an object special?
Emotional durability is built through positive contamination, the process where a product gains value through use. Physical wear acts as a tangible record of the user’s experiences, making the object unique and preventing it from being discarded
Every piece is unique
Every piece is treated with a spray-painted branding element, ensuring that no two pieces are ever alike. It is a deliberate design choice that makes your item bespoke, raw, direct, and authentic.
designed to age with you for the long haul, enduring the thick and thin of your daily journey.
We form a deeper bond with objects when they are intentionally crafted to be different for each piece, encouraging us to treat things better and hold on to them much longer. designed to age with you for the long haul, enduring the thick and thin of your daily journey.
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