UnPact
Product Design | Design for Sustainability
Role: Research, Product Design
Timeline: February to March 2023 (5 Weeks)
Tools: Rhino, Keyshot, Illustrator, Photoshop
Team: Brittany Moore, Kavneet Kaur, Tanya Shah, Vishal Parmar
Context: A course within the MFA in Design for Sustainability curriculum; we were tasked with selecting a product and study its materiology, life cycle, and manufacturing processes to redesign the product while keeping environmental sustainability in mind. Our chosen product – a suitcase – is currently made using various metals and plastics blended together.
Intervention: Using our research and study of materials, we created UnPact, an environmentally conscious luggage brand, focusing on longevity, reuse, and material simplicity. The suitcase is modular (making part-replacement convenient) and created using sustainable alternatives to the current materials in use (using the same manufacturing process).
Product and Material Study
Product Redesign
UnPact is a modular, sustainable line of luggage designed to extend product lifespan and reduce end-of-life waste. Built from fully recyclable materials, the suitcase features three main components – the body, telescopic handle, and wheels – all of which are removable, fixable, and easy to dismantle. In place of traditional, non-recyclable zippers, UnPact uses secure locking clasps that offer the same level of combination-lock security while enabling smoother access and better recyclability. Lightweight, durable, and repair-friendly, UnPact reimagines travel gear as a long-term companion—not a short-term product.
UnPact luggage is designed for a circular journey. Users assemble it at home, use it, and repair or replace damaged parts as needed. Biodegradable wheels and recyclable handles ensure minimal waste. When dated, luggage can be returned for a voucher, refurbished, and reintroduced through a rental program—closing the loop sustainably.
UnPact's alignment with Sustainability
OKALA EcoDesign strategies is a set of design approach focused on minimizing the environmental impact of products, services, and systems throughout their entire lifecycle. It emphasizes understanding and integrating ecological principles into the design process, moving beyond traditional human-centered design to consider the needs of the entire ecosystem.
