Stilt is the first adjustable, floor-to-ceiling coat rack that offers a confident investment for "Transient Dwellers” to personalize their space without permanent installation or spatial constraints.
Finding a Need State
Introducing The "Transient Dweller"
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Coastal Cities
26-32 y/o
“Finding the right stuff is annoying, when I move it might not work where I'm at…”
-John Wilson | 28M | Boston/New York
“With work and life I only stay in one place for 6-12 months at a time…"
-Abby Oconnor| 26F | New York/Indiana/Melbourne
“I bought a couch/didn’t fit even up the stairs!”
-Lily O'Neil | 26F | Brooklyn/Long Island
Conventional & Malleable
Concepting for adjustability
The birth of Stilt comes from revisiting something old and somewhat expired, the standing coatrack. After categorizing my insights, I found the market was lacking a solution that was highly portable and space-efficient. I set out to provide constant movers with an investment that can make their space feel more their own.
Pre-war buildings in New York range from 8-9.5 feet, I designed for this range but based our proportions on the general standard of 8’4”.
Reliable & Confident
Fine-tuning interactions
Deciding to Hero the "butterfly Leg" interaction complicated the design, but I wanted to create something novel and exciting. This allows the Stilt to pack up nicely inside its own volume and give the user a memorable interaction every time they set up/break down.
I created a multitude of Prototypes to test the interaction & admire the working pieces. I 3d printed custom pieces to holster Locknuts inside Stilt's legs, ensuring smooth motion and secure holds.
Iterative Design + Craft
Manipulating Aluminum
Since stilt was Designed to be adjustable up to 18 inches, the base slot was a crucial detail. After ordering materials, and finally making a buck model out of aluminum, I noticed marks being made by the screws. I went back to the shop and found the solution: a step elevation with a different, disturbed, finish.
With no budget from school, materials were a great expense. Even more so the reason to be meticulous. I spent over 12 hours over 3 days, plotting, chopping, milling and de-burring the Aluminum U-channel to match my 3d Model. I've always loved the shop, so getting to machine my custom parts start to finish was very rewarding.
Creating Hangers
How does Stilt Hold Clothes?
Creating the right hook was an interesting task because nothing on the market has the same look as Stilt. Naturally, I tried and prototyped several clips & hooks before deciding on a design.
The current version of the hook draws inspiration from parts of a conventional T-slot system and mimics the form of Stilt's linear cut-outs. The hooks are able to be placed wherever they are needed and adjust to different heights & configurations. Visually, it feels the hooks have almost been peeled off the main structure.
Because of the main body's hollow shape, there is potential to hang small items like keys, or hide less aesthetic items like a dog leash or belt. The opportunities for customization are endless.
still under construction…..
come back in a couple days!
