Help Me Design A Product for Mini!

[Red_Hen]

Hey Mini Fans!

I am a third year design student at Carnegie Mellon School of design. I am working on a project designing an accessory to be sold by Mini.

My Goal:

To develop a product that facilitates and encourages drivers to go on recreational family outings in their Minis.

I already have a product concept in mind, but I'd like to hear the thoughts of you mini experts before I tip my hand.

Happy Driving!


Alex Fischer
3rd Year Industrial Design
Carnegie Mellon School of Design
www.AlexFischerDesign.com

[Angib]

For "recreational family outings" the obvious product that pretty much all cars need is a decent sized, attractive rubbish bin.

It's tempting to make it fit in the rear centre cupholder hole - and you maybe could put a replacement cupholder in the top of the bin - though putting anything in the bin then becomes a problem.

[simontay]

Or some decent way of storing muddy boots, wet clothes etc. I know after attending rugby events each weekend, this is what causes so much dirt to accumulate in the boot of my car.

Also, a kind of 'flop out' mat that allows me to sit on the boot/trunk lip and change shoes/boots without having to put feet onto muddy ground?

[Red_Hen]

I've been seriously considering a modern variation of a picnic basket, to encourage family outings. I was thinking the color of your basket could match the exterior of your mini, just like how mini offers matching your exterior to your dash.



More in next post ...

[Red_Hen]

[minicore]

Quote: Originally Posted by Red_Hen (original)

I've been seriously considering a modern variation of a picnic basket, to encourage family outings. I was thinking the color of your basket could match the exterior of your mini, just like how mini offers matching your exterior to your dash.

Wow, those are brilliant! I especially like the blue/brown and red/brown ones - the iPod integration is a really cool touch!

[BobtheBrit]

The last couple of sketches are what I was thinking about... how about a picnic basket, with 'integrated' travel blanket (the sort with one side waterproof) that's designed to slot exactly into the boot of a cabriolet.

It would be more 'suitcase' shaped, and maybe could be made in a GRP material in body colour, the point being that as you open the boot, you're faced with what looks like a panel, but in fact is a sensibly sized, fully equipped picnic basket.

In fact the same shell could be used to make a weekend bag tailored to fit the cabriolet boot perfectly.

And wouldn't be out of place in a hatchback's boot.

[ronburgundy83]

There Amazing , like something you would actually see in a MINI lifestyle brochure

[Red_Hen]

Quote: Originally Posted by BobtheBrit (original)

The last couple of sketches are what I was thinking about... how about a picnic basket, with 'integrated' travel blanket (the sort with one side waterproof) that's designed to slot exactly into the boot of a cabriolet.

It would be more 'suitcase' shaped, and maybe could be made in a GRP material in body colour, the point being that as you open the boot, you're faced with what looks like a panel, but in fact is a sensibly sized, fully equipped picnic basket.

In fact the same shell could be used to make a weekend bag tailored to fit the cabriolet boot perfectly.

And wouldn't be out of place in a hatchback's boot.

Really great feedback Thanks! I think a blanket is an excellent idea. And I really think its essential that the product work well with the cabriolet, as its most closely related to the spirit of a picnic – americana, good ol' days, 1950s are all things I think are closely related to the feeling of a picnic and the connotations of a cabriolet.

[Red_Hen]

Thanks again guys, here's the results of the project if you'd like to see:

MIni Cooper 2/11

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by Red_Hen (original)

Thanks again guys, here's the results of the project if you'd like to see:

MIni Cooper 2/11