Portfolio of Matt Hunter

Portfolio of Industrial Designer

Matt Hunter

The goal of my graduate thesis is to examine the Indie movement in design and establish a new design process that balances Indie values with traditional industry applications.

Graduate Thesis:

Indie Culture &Design

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-Indie Design is rapidly growing. Indie Creators are utilizing tools like 3d printing and CNC milling and unique and sustainable materials to create niche design products

Indie Culture & ID_Background

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Indie Culture & ID_Research

-The distinction between professional designer and hobbyist is becoming more and more blurred.

-The Indie influence stretches across many fields

-Indie creators can be the designer, producer, & retailer of their products

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Community

On-Demand ManufacturingInformation

Lower Costs Technology

-Indie is now large enough where it is impacting business of traditional industry.

-The growth of online information & communities in addition to flexible, inexpensive manufacturing and readily accessible technology is all contributing to a new design process.

Indie Culture & ID_Insights

Emerging Process

ResourcesSupply

DIY Entrepreneur

Online Instruction

Raw Material

Existing Product

Tools

Community Collaboration

Final Product

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-To better understand Indie design, a number of products were created using Indie methods, tools, and materials.

-Felt bike grips were developed. This design used natural wool felt, upcycled tire tubes and silk thread.

Indie Culture & ID_Living as an Indie Maker

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-The goal of the final designs was to use these Indie values within the design of applications/software,

-Community - Advocacy & Awareness -Emerging Tech - Trending Materials and Processes -Bottom-Up - User-Generated Content and Growth

-Early concepts focused on creating an alert system that uses rider tagged hazards for cycling conditions that could be viewed by other users.

-Based on rider input, the community aspect of the app was pursued in further design concepts.

Indie Culture & ID_Development

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AA Battery

CPU

GPS Chip

LockingMechanism

Rubber Tension Rings

Accelerometer

Indie Culture & ID_Sensor Hardware

-The sensor uses a standard AA battery for months of battery life and an accelerometer for an auto power switch.

-The GPS chip tracks rider data and also functions as a digital leash to track the bike if it is stolen.

-The sensor installs into the handlebars using a special key tool to prevent theft. Rubber rings tension inside the handlebar when the key is turned.

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Indie Culture & ID_Mapping System

-The Cycle Mapping App concept uses GPS technology to create an evolving bike map of the city.

-The system can be accessed online and from a smartphone.

-The app uses the riders cellphone as a GPS tracking device recording the data and route of their ride.

-Using the social networking feature, users can share your routes with friends, and look up the most popular routes in the city.

Friends locations

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- The Cycle Tether App concept uses GPS technology which is embedded in the bar ends to monitor when a bike is tampered with and possibly stolen.

-Mapping the bikes location allows real-time tracking of the missing bike’s location. User’s can view the current path of travel of their missing bike.

-Other users in the adjacent area are alerted to the crime. They are shown a photo of the bike and the name of the owner.

Indie Culture & ID_Tracking System

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Indie Culture & ID_Cog Connect App

-The App will continue to be developed and brought into production. Using Kickstarter the design will hopefully gain enough financial support from the community to be produced.

-The system will also be open sourced. Developers and programmers will be able to hack and change the sensor and software to fit a variety of experiments and needs.

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Kids begin exploring sports at a young age. This curiosity leaves their parents paying for equipment that may only be used one season. My thesis creates a modular pad system in which the pads are rented and returned each season during this exploration.

Sports Equipment:

Hyper React

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-Parents spend a large amount on their child’s sports activities

-The contact sports of Hockey, Football, and Lacrosse are the most expensive due to the large amount of equipment needed

-This high cost limits participation and exploration

Hyper-React_Background

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-Prototypes were created to test fit and sizing.

-Red material was used to indicate hard plastic

-Green and Blue material was used to indicate flexible foam

-The thigh pads and rib protectors were too large for this user demographic

-The shoulder pad geometry was also adjusted for the final design

Hyper-React_Research

Leg sizing was too large

Shoulder pads forms were not successful

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Traditional

Trendy

Simple

ComplexMarketing Matrix

Hyper-React_Research

- Market trends in sports equipment were studied to create a branding direction

-Surveys were taken to discover the user’s tastes and trends

-These survey boards focused on color, form, taste using images of other products and form popular culture.

ComplexMarketing Matrix

TraditionalTrendy

Simple

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-Anatomy was studied to identify areas that required the most protection and ergonomics

-Limited color was used in the branding so that it would not conflict with team colors but still convey a recognizable brand image

Hyper-React_Ideation

Branding & Modularity Exploration

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Distribution to OrganizationDelivery from Manufacturer/Seller

Return to Organization Ship to Manuf/Seller Inspection & Repair

Play Use

Hyper-React_System

-Pads are issued through the school or organization thus lowering cost

-The pads are then returned at the end of each season and inspected, cleaned then reissued

-Renting encourages sport exploration and participation at a low price and guarantees ‘like-new’ quality

Price Quality

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Hips/Thigh

Knee Shin Shoulder Ribs Arm/Elbow

Elbow Sleeve

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• • • •

• • • •

hyper-react

ABS Plastic Elastic/Spandex Poron Foam

21”

23”

12”

10”

4”

3.5”

11”

15”

Hyper-React_Tech Spec’s

-Poron Foam is an open cell structure which insures maximum protection and is also anti-fungal

-A Cool Max liner wicks away moisture

-Spandex insures flexibility and comfort

-Product graphics label which piece is to be used for what sport

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Hyper-React_Designs

Hips/Thigh

Knee Shin Shoulder Ribs Arm/Elbow

Elbow Sleeve

• • • • • •

• • • •

• • • •

hyper-react

ABS Plastic Elastic/Spandex Poron Foam

21”

23”

12”

10”

4”

3.5”

11”

15”

-The hockey configuration uses the chest protector, elbow pads, knee and shin pads, and thigh pads

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Hyper-React_Designs

Hips/Thigh

Knee Shin Shoulder Ribs Arm/Elbow

Elbow Sleeve

• • • • • •

• • • •

• • • •

hyper-react

ABS Plastic Elastic/Spandex Poron Foam

21”

23”

12”

10”

4”

3.5”

11”

15”

-The lacrosse configuration uses the chest protector, and elbow pads.

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Hips/Thigh

Knee Shin Shoulder Ribs Arm/Elbow

Elbow Sleeve

• • • • • •

• • • •

• • • •

hyper-react

ABS Plastic Elastic/Spandex Poron Foam

21”

23”

12”

10”

4”

3.5”

11”

15”

Hyper-React_Designs

-The football configuration uses the chest protector, soft elbow pads, soft knee and pads, and thigh pads

During the internship at Rocky Brands I helped to develop casual shoes and hunting boot designs for fall. Material selection was stressed. I also created custom logo and foot bed graphics for some designs.

Footwear:

Rocky Boots

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Rocky Boots_Background

-Rocky® Outdoor Gear is a world leader in rugged outdoor and occupational footwear

-A corporate office, warehouse, and distribution center reside the original manufacturing building in Nelsonville that goes back to 1932

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Rocky Boots_Ideation

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Rocky Boots_Ideation

-The main project goal was to create a family of shoes that reflected the rugged feel of the Rocky brand while still being versatile.

-The challenge of the design was to create these designs on an existing outsole.

Color splashes indicate similar materials

More unique styles explored a variety of materials

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Rocky Boots_Refinement

BOBCAT CASUAL CHUKKA

-The hunting shoe uses durable Cordura material and full-grain water proof leather

-The casual chukka is made from suede and a full grain leather

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Rocky Boots_First Pullovers

-Test prototypes were made and produced in a new manufacturer from the Dominican Republic.

-This project was used to evaluate the plant’s abilities and quality control.

Debossed Logo

‘Designer toy’ is a term used to describe toys and other collectibles that are produced in limited editions (usually <1000) and created by artists and designers. This project illustrates the character development and the creation of one of these toys.

toy fabrication:

itti

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-Sketching focused on developing a character that was cute, quirky, and humorous

-The ideation explored many iterations to develop a final character

-The design had to be simple enough to allow customization but still have an unique image and form

Itti_Ideation

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-Itti was selected to by the Rivet Gallery in December 2008 for their annual “Stuff This” show.

Itti_Refinement

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Itti_Production

-Handmade Silicon molds were created to mass produce the design.

-The at home molding process yielded various results during the production.

Plastic Resin

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-Itti was also displayed in the 2010 Guerilla Truck Show and is now currently sold on my Etsy shop.

-Material exploration led to a concrete version which improved production quality and lowered cost.

Itti_Production

Clean Bag was created for the International Housewares Assoc. annual student design competition. The product solves the problem of smelly athletic bags through organization and various fiber technologies to absorb and prevent odor.

Softgoods:

Clean Bag

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-The main issue with gym bags odor is clutter

-Bags are used to transport clean and dirty items

-Everything from cell phones to hygiene products are carried in the bag

User Profile :

-18-30 years old-Male/Female-Active and Health Conscious-Work out at least 3 times a week

Clean Bag_Background

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Streamline Experience :

-Items remain in the bag ignored and odor develops over time-Creating an experience that promoted good habits was a critical to the design

Adaptable :

-The bag will be used to carry many items. -The items vary before the workout and afterwards, so versatility matters.

Security :

-Items were sometimes left alone and a secure storage area is needed

Clean Bag_Design Criteria

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-Early development focused on separating clean and dirty clothes

-Various bag-styles were explored, but the sling style bag was chosen based on user research.

Clean Bag_Ideation

Separate Wash Bag

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Adjustable Straps for more space

Clean Bag_Ideation

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-Prototypes focused on single strap bags that used an external pocket for additional storage

-Adding a separate wash bag allowed for dirty clothes to go directly into the wash

Clean Bag_Prototyping

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15” H x 18“ L X 6” D

Snap fasteners

Bottle HolderZipper opening

Flips to store dirty items

Adjustable Buckle

Padded Strap

Reinforced back panel with foam

padding

15” H x 18“ L X 6” D

Clean Bag_Design

-The final design featured a sling-style bag -1 large main pocket with hidden security pocket -1 external clothes pocket and a water bottle pocket -The Cocona fabric system absorbs odor and moisture using natural coconut fibers

The goal of this project was to explore a variety of forms and materials for a large beverage pitcher within one week. Creating numerous renderings and quick thumbnails was integral to the project.

1WeekChallenge:

Water Pitcher

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Water Pitcher _Ideation

Sketching explored form and interaction between parts

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Water Pitcher _Material Exploration

-Initial renders evaluated material styling.

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Water Pitcher _Details

Wooden Handle for a more natural feeling

The wrap material is used to insulate the beverage

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Matt Hunter [email protected] Chicago, IL 724.801.6146

Thank You!Matt HunterIndustrial Design