New Product Design & Development Showcase
One of the key aims of Design Network North is to showcase the best design talent in the North East. Whether it is a service, finished product design or component, we would like to compile a portfolio of work carried out by the region's companies and design suppliers.
New product design and development can often be a key area for any business and hopefully this portfolio will inspire upcoming product designers to get involved in the design industry.
To join the network and add some examples of your work to our design showcase by downloading the form and returning it to enquiries@designnetworknorth.org.
Berghaus - Agent Pack
Outdoor clothing specialists, Berghaus have been designing and producing cutting edge products with mass market appeal for over 40 years. With a catalogue of over 400 products, this Sunderland based clothing company is constantly driving forward it’s vision to be one of the top five outdoor brands in the world.
Challenge
The main challenge was to design a pack for the ski and snowboard market that had a unique selling advantage over the competitors, while remaining true to the Berghaus consumer.
To achieve this it would require the ultimate versatility to fit the demanding needs of the dedicated skier or snowboarder, not to mention the obvious physical demands for this product on the slopes.
Solution
The result is the Agent 0022, a robust, versatile ski and snowboard pack that features a removable back panel incorporating d30™ foam. d3o™ is a revolutionary new shock absorbing substance that, when turned into a foam material, responds to each and every situation. It is made out of intelligent molecules that flow freely – giving d3o™ its soft, pliable texture – but will lock together on impact to absorb energy. The molecules don’t break down over time, but keep on performing.
The Agent meets its challenge, with a modular design that unlike packs on the market already, gives the user the choice of whether to wear the whole pack, or remove the body of the pack and just wear the very low-profile harness, which is capable of carrying their skis or board safely and in comfort. The use of advanced material called d3o which dramatically reduces the effects of impacts compared to standard foam of the same thickness is a great safety feature of the Agent 0022, and also sets it apart from other packs on the market.
Every feature on the Agent 0022 has been designed with the end user in mind, with easy to use, glove friendly buckles, a fleece lined goggle pocket and three front attachment points for carrying skis or a snowboard. With a 22 litre capacity, it can hold all the vital kit for a day of freeriding.
Impact
Considered to be one of the World’s first intelligent rucsacs! Berghaus recently launched the Agent 0022 rucsac as part of the Ator line at Winter ISPO 2009. The Agent 0022 will be available from Berghaus stockists for the 09/10 Winter Season. For more information on where to buy click here.
The IP is the real value we create. Where once we owned a factory and were the experts on manufacturing, we now focus more on new ideas and designing products that will help the business grow." Ross McPhie, Design Manager Berghaus
Project part financed by the European Union European Regional Development Fund 2007 - 13
