Ana Diaz-Young

About

The Travel Companion is a proposed brand extension for LEGO that allows enthusiasts to build their favorite sets on the go without the risk of flying pieces while also storing travel mementos collected along their journey.

Course: Product Studio III
Duration: 6 weeks (Fall 2024)
Tools: Solidworks

Phase 1 Research and Understanding Identity

I started with extensive exploration of the LEGO website, where sets like the message board and family tree inspired me to delve deeper into the idea of keeping memories and interaction through LEGO.

My love for travel-related sets led me to discover the Travel Moments set, which sparked the idea of not only bringing back mementos from travel but also considering why people don't build LEGOs on their journeys.

I then began exploring how people currently experience traveling with LEGOs. I found many homemade solutions on Pinterest that helped me identify some key features: organization, spilling prevention and building surface.

Phase 2 Exploring Form
I started exploring ways to incorporate building barriers and organization to limit flying pieces. I became invested in making the form be as if could be a LEGO set itself, so I decided to design it to look like a suitcase. I explored different ways for the walls of the suitcase to swing out to become barriers or stands for instruction booklets.

I worked on including LEGO design language, such as the spacing and shapes of curves. Using BrickLink Studio software, I tested out hinges and other shapes with real LEGO pieces, as well as building prototype versions out of LEGOs.

Phase 3 Refinement

In order to have the sides swing out, I knew needed to design hinges. After exploring real LEGO hinges, I realized I would need to make mine look like they were linked together from the two different sides, as I couldn't build it brick by brick like a real LEGO set. I learned how to cad print in place hinges to accomplish this.

Throughout my modeling, I made sure to incorporate details like the wall thickness being the same as a standard 1-stud brick. The closures are held together by actual embedded LEGO bricks. The lid has an embedded lego plate to allow for decorations.

Phase 4 (after 50 hrs of printing)Testing

Take your adventures anywhere,
collect mementos everywhere.