 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Student Designer
University Product Description and Principal Function(s) The Hilton is a hard shelled surfboard travel bag designed for use in most coastal environments around the globe. Its world’s first dual cell internal space system provides reliable surfboard protection and wet area as well as a spacious and comfortable sleeping shelter. Its versatility and organised storage system makes for an interactive product ready to help the surfer through all challenges faced during travel. The Hilton consolidates the functions of travel, surfboard and sleeping bag into the one product, making for less luggage and appealing to the market’s desire to project a professional and organised image.Why does the product represent design excellence and why do you believe it deserves an Australian Design Award? The design of the Hilton surfboard travel bag was in response to the need of surfers to transport their surfboard without damage to holiday surfing destinations as well as ideally compacting the amount of travel gear they usually require to sleep out.Because surfers can now access information and technology that predict when and where waves will be globally, multi-monthed surfing expeditions have been replaced by ten-day “getaways.” However, popular surfing destinations are still predominantly isolated or developing, where challenges such as poor transport and a lack of accommodation and facilities exist. Surf travel is therefore suited to a minority who thrive off the unknown. The Surfer’s Hilton is an all-in-one product that will open up surf travel to the rest of the surfing market, allowing existing challenges to be confidently overcome. What makes The Hilton so unique is its dual-cell interior space system, that offers total surfboard protection and a spacious, comfortable shelter. The first cell is the surfboard protection cell. The surfboard enters through the back end zipper, where it slides UNDER the padded internal divider, cushioned and protected by the padding and lined hard shell. The second cell is the shelter cell. The user enters the cell through the front end zipper to lie ABOVE the padded internal divider, which now acts as a mattress. The expandable wall adds enough depth to comfortably rest or sleep, protected from the sun or rain. A sleeping bag can be placed inside the cell for extra warmth. The full-sized prototype confirms the feasibility of the project. The dual cell system adds the functionality of a sleeping, surfboard, and carry bag, but uses less than half the material of these products produced individually. Retail cost is well under the $990.00 target (cost of similar quality surfboard bag and sleeping bag purchased separately) and weighs a manageable 10kg. The hard shell is made from 100% recycled polyethylene! It is rotational moulded so two units can be moulded and then separated in the one cycle (with no partline visible). Its complexity remains within the ability of Australian rotational moulders such as Rotadyne. They are keen to embrace The Hilton to promote this growing Australian industry. The handle system was developed after researching the needs of baggage handlers. Approximately 25 boards per week are broken at Sydney’s airport through mishandling due mainly to a lack of handles on current surfboard bags. The Hilton’s handle system integrates all handling needs; seven handles, into one length of webbing tape, plus shoulder strap. At point-of-sale, 75% of consumers choose what specific product to purchase. Soft surfboard bags are sold from racks displaying one side only. The Hilton, which appeals to the professional, organised image desired by the market, stands out with its lime green side strip, unique hard shell design, and unrivalled functionality. By merging “must have” functionality with aesthetic appeal, this innovation has all the features necessary to successfully become a popular addition to the surfing industry and promote Australia’s much loved lifestyle to the world. |
||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
© Copyright Standards Australia This site is part of the Standards Australia group Sitemap | Privacy Statement | Linking Policy |
|||||||||||||
