As a Product Engineer for Baby Jogger, I worked on a visual branding refresh for the iconic City Mini line of strollers. My main focus was harness systems and creating a new height adjustment system that matched the dynamic brand image.
Rear view of harness attachment
Cross section of system, where the green piece would act as a cap for the spring
The harness system was designed with consumer usability at the forefront. My goal was to create a reliable, safe, and user-friendly height adjustment mechanism within a set price.
My process was well-organized and executed in a timely manner:
• Explore softgoods attachment mechanisms across many consumer products
• Sketch concepts and ideas for adjustment mechanisms
• Create a decision matrix weighing the concepts, and prototype the top 5 ideas
• Create 5 mockup strollers with the ideas and conduct an internal user study in our break room
• Take user feedback and implement into 2 final designs
• Discuss final prototypes with marketing and industrial design teams to make ultimate decision
My initial concept sketches for harness ideas
Harness study in the break room - after using each concept, users filled out a survey for feedback
The final results was a very satisfying locking mechanism, where each shoulder harness was locked individually from the front of the stroller. This eliminated the need for parents to unfeed the harness from behind the seat. The mechanism could withstand the 40lb pull test per compliance, as well as our more rigorous internal standards. In addition, it had a loud, audible click when securely locked into place, dictated through spring force and ramp travel distance of the locking pin.
A prototype of the locking mechanism
Key Takeaways:
• Starting a design from nothing, and narrowing to a selection
• Checking my work through user feedback, and implementing suggestions
• Quoting process with Chinese vendor, and incorporating any manufacturing insights
• Creating a mechanism focused on haptic and audible feedback