LOAM Foraging Backpack
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Scott Carlson, Isabella Gaule, Riley Huston
5-week group project
Industrial Design
Softgoods Design
Physical Prototyping
User Research
Problem
How do you design a backpack for foraging? There are limited solutions for foraging that have been designed for the modern adventurer.
Approach
We worked with a local foraging collective to determine the best approach for this pack. We also interviewed foragers to generalize insights and pain points that would guide our designs.
Foraging is the act of gathering wild food for consumption or culinary use.
Background
Why do people forage?
1. To reconnect with nature.
“For most of human existence, we subsisted primarily off of hunting and gathering in the natural world ... Domestication of crops ... shifted humanity’s relationship with food. And present-day civilization has distanced us even further from the bounty in our own backyards.”
2. To cook with free, healthy ingredients.
“We clean the mushrooms together and sit down and cook insane meals, with up to seven different dishes with all these different mushrooms,” says Josh. “It’s become a staple with our little friend group. It helps us bond and keeps us going.”
User Interviews
Peter
"I've been foraging for around 2 years ... I typically pick about 10 liters of berries if they're in season."
Peter mostly forages for fruits and berries. (10L on a good day.)
He stores foraged items in a front-mounted backpack. Sometimes he will use small containers strapped to his belt.
He carries water, a hat, some sunscreen, and snacks.
Pain Points
He has difficulty securing the pack to the front of his body by himself.
The pack is unwieldy and awkwardly sags when full.
Austen
"I haven't been foraging for very long, but I like it so far and want to learn more about it. I really want a better solution than the hiking backpack I'm using right now."
Austen mostly forages for fungi and herbs. (2-4L of mushrooms is great.)
They carry a waterproof hiking pack and use Ziploc bags or sometimes mason jars for storage.
They pack clippers, a small trowel, extra containers, and a field guide.
Pain Points
Her books and gear get dirty and are hard to store with foraged goods.
Fungi can be crushed if not properly stored in containers.
Insights & Opportunities
1. Makeshift solutions can be bulky and awkward.
Many hobbyist foragers commonly resort to improvised waist and hip storage mechanisms to facilitate convenient access during their harvesting endeavors. But these solutions are suboptimal and result in a less-than-ideal user experience.
2. People carry extra gear and accessories when they go foraging.
Storing items like field guides and clippers proves impractical while using baskets or bags. And housing these accessories alongside foraged goods results in contamination or damage to the harvested items.
3. Goods are fragile and need to be protected.
Foragers employ a mix of jars and plastic bags for storage. Though these can work well, glass gets heavy and bags fail to adequately protect the harvested foodstuffs.
Design Objectives
Access
Storage
Versatility
The pack should have storage options for easy access when picking fruits, herbs, or fungi.
The pack should include protected storage for fragile goods and a place for supplies and equipment.
The pack should deliver as a foraging bag without compromising on its duty as a hiking pack.
How can we design a foraging-focused backpack that doesn't compromise on functionality or ease of use?
Concepts
1. Basket / pack hybrid
2. Integrated / detachable storage
3. Rigid compartments for storage
Development
Rigid Storage Pocket
The standout feature of the pack is its rigid-bottomed compartment, specifically designed to shield fragile foraged items from damage. Accessible externally for effortless loading, this compartment remains separated from the bag’s main chamber.
Deployable Front Storage
The waist strap features deployable storage bags designed to stash foraged goods during the picking process. The simple Velcro strap enables stowage when the bags are not in use.
Accessory Storage
The pack comes with zippered pockets to help keep accessories organized and separated.
Drawstring Closure
A basic drawstring closure paired with a top flap provides a waterproof and protective seal for the upper chamber, ensuring the safety of items such as field guides and clippers.
20L Capacity
The bag can hold up to 20 liters between the bottom compartment and regular storage.
Thank you to Scott Carlson and Isabella Gaule, my wonderful team members!
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