Poursuite d’une Pochette
Role: Product Designer
Skills: Design Sketching, Rapid Prototyping, CAD (Fusion 360), Metal Forming (Bending and Slip Rolling), Waterjet, Aircraft Riveting, Bead Blasting, Sanding and Polishing, Hemming and Gluing
Overview: Created handbag out of sheet metal using machinery available in the Stanford Product Realization Lab and upholstered with fur.
![IMG_9662.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/e04212de-9529-4fcf-a518-39ad507cbccd/IMG_9662.png)
![IMG_6329.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/b99fb3a5-8dd0-42bd-a4b4-4dad98c9081a/IMG_6329.jpeg)
Design Intent
Poursuite d’une Pochette
A purse made out of steel.
Because my mom desperately wants me to find a purse, this device would act as commentary on that desire and my relationship with femininity in the fashion world, by designing my ideal bag but making it out of metal so I wouldn’t actually be able to use it. (I prefer backpacks).
Below is a progression of my brainstorming, concept sketches, and operation sequence.
![IMG_6249.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/24a72d30-c8da-461e-856f-376ffd87e28c/IMG_6249.png)
![IMG_8472.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/c8deab93-02fb-4843-8e25-27201ffe61e1/IMG_8472.png)
![IMG_5751.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/be0d01ff-e818-4db1-bf53-83e81d23a7c3/IMG_5751.png)
![IMG_1689.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/1e285d7d-a8e8-4478-83ae-d7b8a9c74de6/IMG_1689.png)
![IMG_1763.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/ab90807a-efe8-4bfc-8a27-9fc5adc17cf4/IMG_1763.png)
Rapid Prototyping and CAD
![IMG_8277.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/a65229fc-a4ad-426c-b93d-26969e5c523e/IMG_8277.png)
![IMG_1264.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/beafcc08-0a1d-49ff-9ec4-970cfc7791ca/IMG_1264.png)
![IMG_2955.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/9f6a8184-d9a9-4225-8e1c-0494d6c856d6/IMG_2955.png)
![IMG_1673.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/dd78951b-20e4-45c4-9417-5c0615245fd0/IMG_1673.png)
![IMG_6454.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/afd3c41a-fc4a-4ae3-8300-d753c6182da9/IMG_6454.png)
![IMG_6121.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/75b02be8-1448-4ed2-a096-711a34b35f4b/IMG_6121.png)
Physical Prototyping
Design Challenge: Creation of the Form
I first started by using a slip-rolled piece of sheet metal and tapering the sides of it to the desired angle on the Bandsaw. In hindsight, I should have tapered the sides using the Corner Notcher before slip-rolling this back piece, because it was difficult to carry out this action on the bandsaw with the curvature.
In order to create the pattern to cut with the Waterjet, I needed the radius from the slip-rolled side because that would become the shape of the sides of the purse. Retrieving this radius ended up being more difficult than I imagined. I first tried using calculations, but the curvature did not follow the arc of a circle enough to produce a desirable outcome.
To successfully import the shape into Illustrator, I traced the curve that the tapered side of the back piece made onto a piece of paper. I then photocopied the paper and traced a replica of the curvature in Illustrator.
![Slip rolled sheet metal](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/3c9d6c0c-4fc0-4391-a053-5c18da2c7e1c/IMG_8509.png)
Slip rolled sheet metal
![Using tape to mark the desired taper that would be cut using the Bandsaw](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/8da2c456-ebf3-4154-a8e2-e33a99cf4c7d/IMG_9418.png)
Using tape to mark the desired taper that would be cut using the Bandsaw
![Notes to self about process and failed attempt at calculating a radius from the arc.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/68a49f50-979a-465e-98f5-14c28f2e7931/IMG_9293.png)
Notes to self about process and failed attempt at calculating a radius from the arc.
![Photo taken in attempt to capture the curvature of the slip rolled metal](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/ba08c794-98c8-4593-8bea-7b687a01236e/IMG_9793.png)
Photo taken in attempt to capture the curvature of the slip rolled metal
![Photocopied image of traced curve](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/954e77cd-6063-47bb-a3e0-a0c72dfefeca/IMG_1087.png)
Photocopied image of traced curve
With these components, I ended up with my initial pattern and used the Waterjet to cut the shape. This process was very frustrating and ended up taking a lot longer than I expected because of some issues my file was having with the software. With a lot of troubleshooting, I fixed the file by taking a screenshot of the drawing, using the Image Trace function on Adobe Illustrator, scaling the image to the size of the original piece, and exporting this as a DXF.
After this, I used a hole puncher to punch rivet holes on the piece to initialize the connection that would be made using the rivet gun for the bottom of the purse. In hindsight, I should have added the holes onto the file itself because they did not come out perfectly aligned. Finally, to complete the critical part, I taped the body of the purse together to ensure that everything was measured, rolled, and cut correctly.
![Initial purse pattern](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/caea18b4-e296-42d5-b807-165470f10be7/IMG_2126.png)
Initial purse pattern
![Organized pattern in order to fit onto the Waterjet board](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/444330ed-af79-4e1a-9257-f7cf8494b0ba/IMG_7645.png)
Organized pattern in order to fit onto the Waterjet board
![Waterjet front piece of purse](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/76a70d8a-08f8-4716-bdd4-0e21ef0f349d/IMG_8148.png)
Waterjet front piece of purse
![Critical part assembled](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/21256478-5bb8-4cf3-b847-beeafa0fcb22/IMG_0406.png)
Critical part assembled
![Critical part assembled](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/aadc9ce3-5efd-46e2-8311-8cd1fcc30018/IMG_7686.png)
Critical part assembled
![The perfect fit!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/af74b15d-92af-4f68-b916-6a21af11707c/IMG_1392.png)
The perfect fit!
Final Assembly
Below are process photos of the final assembly of the purse body. Click on an image to learn more.
![Waterjet cut pieces](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/a430047b-a0a6-4cc3-9120-087f14a9c909/IMG_8711.png)
Waterjet cut pieces
![Ensuring the holes and pieces lined up](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/2dbc9c1a-0bc5-46f4-9045-b879f3293fd3/IMG_6764.png)
Ensuring the holes and pieces lined up
![Used clecos to test the ability of the rivet connections (specifically if I would be able to fit the flaps on the sides of the bag inside of the body instead of resting them on the outsides)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/d5179e9a-1f83-4d7b-9e27-f20cdeea07e4/IMG_8402.png)
Used clecos to test the ability of the rivet connections (specifically if I would be able to fit the flaps on the sides of the bag inside of the body instead of resting them on the outsides)
![Final riveted body](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/8a19e9ca-2d88-4a04-be74-45718e5d9d10/IMG_3047.png)
Final riveted body
![Slip rolled and adjusted the length of the purse strap until I was satisfied with its aesthetic. Used hex bolt with lock to secure the strap to the bag](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/da23f018-868c-4bf8-aabb-dbc85a5830b8/IMG_2665.png)
Slip rolled and adjusted the length of the purse strap until I was satisfied with its aesthetic. Used hex bolt with lock to secure the strap to the bag
![View of hinges in their originally chosen placement.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/d7f4b5c8-47b7-455c-9997-864cb8e15f02/IMG_2908.png)
View of hinges in their originally chosen placement.
Finishing Touches
Below are process photos of the finishing and upholstering of the purse. Click on an image to learn more.
![Taping off rivets before Bead Blasting body](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/58ee3443-521b-4bb1-9f79-cde8bfcbaac4/IMG_5861.jpeg)
Taping off rivets before Bead Blasting body
![Initial reveal of the finish](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/a9b1bf96-55c5-4c75-8642-e4facc2a18b5/IMG_5863.jpeg)
Initial reveal of the finish
![IMG_5864.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/920afa50-b81f-4c5e-a902-1ff410b14859/IMG_5864.jpeg)
![IMG_5867.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/dc5178de-3b6d-4a39-8961-428b653e8c8f/IMG_5867.jpeg)
![Printed out the Waterjet pattern to trace onto fabric in order to upholster the interior of the purse](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/d341084b-42e4-4a31-8be0-a72f38b78f25/IMG_5883.jpeg)
Printed out the Waterjet pattern to trace onto fabric in order to upholster the interior of the purse
![Initial upholstery. Went in a second time to increase the amount of fur for a more aesthetically desirable outcome](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/ca3a0aaa-7a6f-4bd6-bf09-bf364d902465/IMG_5916.jpeg)
Initial upholstery. Went in a second time to increase the amount of fur for a more aesthetically desirable outcome
![IMG_6510.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/50aff9ae-1efe-40c6-a273-4b6bf6f35f73/IMG_6510.jpeg)
![IMG_6329.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60407f14fe0cc52d1cc42504/b99fb3a5-8dd0-42bd-a4b4-4dad98c9081a/IMG_6329.jpeg)