SPRINT BRIEF

You will identify an everyday problem, such as carrying small objects, staying dry in the rain, or keeping cool, and design a wearable solution to address it. Using modular cardboard components, weaving, and embroidery, you will create a functional and expressive wearable that adapts or transforms to make everyday life easier.

WHAT WE ARE DOING

WHY WE ARE DOING IT

You will design a future wearable that responds to a daily challenge

You’ll explore how fashion can adapt, transform, and solve problems while still being expressive.

Final Project Expectations

Your wearable should clearly respond to one everyday problem and make life easier for the wearer. For example, a hand cover that unfolds to protect you from the sun, or a sleeve that transforms into a pocket for carrying your phone or small objects.

Your project should include experimentation with weaving, embroidery, or lacing in a purposeful and creative way. You can also explore laser cutting to create modular pieces, patterns, or connections.

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Protective hoodie from sun

A cooling system in abayas

An extra hand to grab objects

STUDENT EXAMPLES

Shading Mask for Protection from Extreme Sun and Heat in Saudi Arabia

STUDENT EXAMPLES

Hydration Vest

STUDENT EXAMPLES

The design process will include these steps:

؜Prototyping

Ideation + Inspiration

Identify everyday problems that clothing or a wearable could help solve. Explore examples of functional clothing and how textile techniques can serve a purpose. Choose one problem and sketch a wearable solution.

Build your wearable, test how it fits, moves, adapts, or transforms on the body.

SPRINT STEPS

؜Sketching +

Technique Exploration

Improve the fit, function, and appearance of your wearable. Photograph or film it being worn and demonstrate how it solves the problem.

Present your wearable and demonstrate the problem, solution, and techniques behind your design. Be ready for the Fashion Show !

Session 1

60mins

Session 2

60mins

Session 3-4

120 mins

Session 5

60 mins

Session 6

60 mins

؜Last Touches + Documentation

Exhibition

Sketch initial ideas and experiment with weaving, embroidery, lacing, and modular connections.

Head to the Toolbox to explore the Fashion 101 presentation and discover different fashion techniques and rules.

FASHION 101

ACTIVITY MATERIALS

Session 1

Pencil

Colored Markers

Laptop/Ipad

Paper

Ruler

In brainstorming, students generate ideas that will shape the concepts for their group projects. They typically begin by listing ideas individually, then come together to share and discuss them using a pin-up brainstorming board filled with writing, drawings, Post-it notes, and lively conversation.

؜Every design starts with a problem.

Ask yourself:

1. What is annoying in your daily life?
2. What do you often lose?
3. What is hard to carry?
4. What feels uncomfortable ?

Turn your problem into a solution.

1. Problem: I drop my phone
2. Idea: A wearable phone strap

1. Problem: I lose my keys
2. Idea: A keychain attached to clothing

BRAINSTORMING

1.1

IDEATION

Functional fashion is something you can wear or carry that solves a problem.

1. Protects (weather, safety)
2. Helps (carry, organize, access)
3. Solves a problem
4. Makes life easier

Examples:

1. Collar, hood, or shoulder piece that unfolds to create shade
2. Hidden or adjustable pocket integrated into a sleeve for phone storage
3. Sleeves or mesh layers that extend to protect exposed skin
4. Bag straps hurt your shoulder: Woven shoulder attachment that spreads the weight
5. Headphones/cables get tangled: Embroidered loops or channels that organize cables

1.2

A precedent is a real-world example or project that you can research to better understand ideas related to your work.

INSPIRATION

Look at the Toolbox to explore techniques currently used in fashion to solve everyday problems. Then, research online for inspiration and examples of functional wearables that could inspire your own design.

1.3

Sketching in design thinking is a quick and visual way to explore, communicate, and develop ideas. It helps designers think through problems, test concepts, and share their thoughts with others—without needing polished drawings. Sketches can be rough, but they’re powerful tools for brainstorming, prototyping, and collaboration.

Refer to the toolbox to learn different sketching techniques. You will draw many iterations of your design, exploring different ways your concept could look and function. In each sketch, combine the technologies, materials, and design elements you selected, and think about how they work together to express who you are.

Don’t aim for a perfect drawing—this is about experimenting, testing ideas, and refining your thinking. Each sketch should help you learn something new about your design and move it forward.

SKETCHING

2.1

ATTACHMENT LOCATION

Consider all possible locations and methods of attachment for your wearable.

SKETCH EXAMPLES

2.2

Exploring Techniques

You will explore different techniques to bring your wearable piece to life. You could experiment with cardboard structures, weaving directly into cardboard, standalone weaving, embroidery, or a combination of techniques to create a functional and expressive design. First step includes learning how to sew [Toolbox- Sewing 101].

2.2

Exploring Techniques

How to make Pleats ( Fabric Manipulation)

Prototyping is the process of turning your sketches and ideas into physical models that you can test and improve. It starts with drawing your concept, then building simple versions using materials to explore how it moves or works. Prototyping helps you test mechanisms (how parts move or connect) and kinetics (how motion happens), so you can find what works and what needs fixing.

ACTIVITY MATERIALS

Session 3-4

You will first undertake a safety orientation and a refresh on cardboard 101 (toolbox).

PROTOTYPING

3rd

CARDBOARD TECHNIQUES: SHAPING

Bending

Scoring

Curving

Faceting

Layering

Hinging

CARDBOARD TECHNIQUES: JOINERY

Brads

Flanges

Brace

Skewer

Bend

Hinge

Slots

Butt Joint

CARDBOARD TECHNIQUES: Mechanism

Scissor lift

Tentacle

Curving

Fanning

؜FASHION TECHNIQUES:

Crochet

Macrame

Embroidery

Fabric Manipulation

Weaving

؜Using cardboard and fashion supplies, create a prototype of your wearable design that accurately represents its scale and dimensions. Focus on how it will fit onto the body and ensure that your prototype demonstrates key features and functions of your design.

؜Model Making

USE YOUR BODY FOR ACCURATE SCALE

Final Exhibition is when you display all your work done the sprint. Present what work and didn't worked!

ACTIVITY MATERIALS

Device for photography

Your Project

Session 5-6

Document your work!

Record a video of your project moving and turn it into a gif.

Photo of Project

+ Student Name

1

2

3

First Prototype (testing)

Concept Idea

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Sketch

4

Final prototype Video

؜Canva Template for presentation