Urban Citizen Evcuation Garment

Role

Technical Apparel Deisgner

Goal

To design a high-performance survival solution for urban citizens during a Cascadia-level earthquake, balancing life-saving functionality with daily aesthetics.

Challenge

• Executed a full-cycle design process within a strict academic timeline.

• Bridged the gap between raw disaster data and wearable technology.

• Rigorous material validation through lab testing and physical prototyping.

Design Process

Secondary Research → Primary Research → Ideation → 3D/2D Development → Iterative Prototyping → Lab Testing → Usability Testing → Final Execution

Phase 1: Primary Research

To ensure the design addressed real-world pain points, I utilized a Mixed-Methods Research approach:

• Expert Interviews: Consulted with SAR, K9 officers, and museum coordinators to identify technical pain points.

• Survivor Narratives: Analyzed M8.8 earthquake survival stories and social media data.

• Community Outreach: Surveyed active preparedness communities (r/earthquake, r/CascadiaPreppers) to validate real-world evacuation challenges.

Phase 2: Concept Development (The Strategy)

• Design Cornerstones: Employed the Multiple Perspective Method and Design Universals to define the core pillars of the garment: Mobility, Protection, Emotional Support, Social Cohesion and Adaptability.

• HMW Framework: Developed "How Might We" questions to pivot from problem identification to innovative design solutions.

• Design Hierarchy: Intergrated direct feedback from primary and secondary research, and identified the " Could have", " Should have", "Must have".

Phase 3: Technical Execution & Iteration

• Sketches: I explored the concept and design cornerstones through sketches, continuously refining and making trade-offs. At the beginning, the design was quite complex, aiming to address storage, load distribution, aesthetics, and full-body coverage all at once. Over time, I started to question which features truly mattered most to the user. This led to a process of simplifying and clarifying the design. Through ongoing refinement, the final direction focused on key priorities: quick donning and doffing, lightweight construction, durability, protection, and social integration.

• 2D Technical Drawings (Illustrator) & 3D Works (CLO 3D, Browzwear): To create visual proof of concept.

• Physical Mock-ups: Conducted multiple rounds of physical sampling to refine ergonomic measurements and assembly sequences.

• Material Science: Engineered a textile selection matrix based on research-driven performance needs.

  • Utilized Laser Cutting for precision testing samples.

  • Conducted in-lab performance testing: Hydrostatic Pressure (Waterproof), Moisture Vapor Transmission, Tearing Strength, and Color Fastness.

Phase 4: Validation (The Stress Test)

• Cross-functional Collaboration

Partnered with professional sample sewers to translate complex tech packs into high-performance prototypes, ensuring design intent and technical construction were flawlessly executed.

• Simulation-Based Usability Test

Optimized the prototype by integrating feedback from 14 participants, focusing on ergonomic mobility and intuitive grab and go system.

• Technical Revision

Adjusted patterns and seam construction to resolve interaction friction identified during post-earthquake scenario simulations.

• Final Sample

A validated, field-ready solution that balances lab-tested material performance with real-world user needs.

Impact

Successfully raised awareness for earthquake preparedness within the Vancouver community through design-led storytelling.

Lessons Learned

• Mastered the end-to-end workflow of technical apparel, from operating industrial testing machinery to managing complex sample production.

• Refined the ability to condense a year-long technical research project into a compelling 3-minute pitch for industry stakeholders.

• Learned to identify the most impactful design elements through the lens of a limited budget.