HABA HABA

WOODEN BAGPACK minor abroad indiviual project

Haba Haba is a fair trade fashion brand located in the Netherlands and Kenia. The products are inspired by the African culture. Haba Haba consisted one product in their product portfolio; a wooden belt. The belt was available in different designs.

These belts were made by young people living in an Internally Displaced Persons camp.

This project was an individual project during my minor in Norway at the NTNU. The goal of this project was to design opportunities for Haba Haba to develop their product portfolio.

After a lot of research about the market of Haba Haba and the possibilities in terms of material and craft skills in Kenia, I came up with different product directions. The communication with the stakeholders in the Netherlands and Kenia was by skyping and using visualisation to share the ideas. Finally, I sent three different concepts presentations to The Netherlands an Kenia. They final product they choose was a Backpack. This product is interesting, because of the innovative design, the use of the same mechanism like the belts, the possibility of wearing it together with the belt and the product stays in the same product direction of fashion accessories, like the belts.

First design directions

After a lot of research about the market of Haba Haba and the possibilities in terms of material and craft skills in Kenia, I came up with different product directions. The communication with the stakeholders in the Netherlands and Kenia was by skyping and using visualisation to share the ideas. Finally, I sent three different concepts presentations to The Netherlands and Kenia.

SELECTION

The final product they choose was a Backpack. This product is interesting, because of the innovative design, the use of the same mechanism like the belts, the possibility of wearing it together with the belt and the product stays in the same product direction of fashion accessories, like the belts.

STrenghts and learning aspects

This project consisted of the difficulty of communication with the different stakeholders in the different countries. Therefor I used my visualisation and prototyping skills to communicate.

I learned using the strengths of different countries and cultures. By using the strength of wood design in Norway and the handcraft of Kenia, new opportunities were discovered. Something I think is valuable to use in future design challenges.

During this project I learned a lot about communication between different countries and cultures. A valuable skill to use in other projects.