Delphi
Maggie Jones
For my final project, I wanted to create a bag that would help females not only carry their items with them when going out, but also assist in protecting the user if necessary. Therefore, I created a concealed pocket that hides a knife, ready to be pulled out quickly in a life-threatening situation. As the final image depicts, the button on the handle of the knife appears at first merely a part of the outside design, until pulled to reveal a blade. I named this product Delphi, after the flower Delphinium, because of the brightly painted blue flower on the cover. For this project I used the laser cutter, the wood shop, the metal shop, and some sewing and painting.
User Testing Questions and Summary
How fast were you able to extract the knife from the bag? Were you able to do so before the "attacker" reached your person?
Did you notice the button immediately upon first glance? Did it look out of place?
On a scale of 1-5, how safe would you feel if you were to carry this bag with you when going out? Would you feel more comfortable going somewhere alone?
Through the analysis of user testing, I was able to conclude that most individuals who used my bag were able to pull the knife out quickly, prior to the "attacker" reaching them. They also came to a similar consensus that at first glance, the button does not appear out of place. However, many users did confirm that the knife was much more difficult to put back in its sheath than it was to extract. Because quick removal of the knife was the main priority, however, I felt that this product successfully carried out its primary objective. All individuals stated that they would feel safer using this bag, especially if they were going out alone.
