Project: diaper bag & portable vacuum

Client: Ayla & Co.

Capabilities: research // design // engineering // manufacturing

CLIENT REQUEST: Parenting is a mess. Diaper bags are bulky bottomless pits and when your kids are constantly making a mess in a restaurant, at a friends house, or in the car you can only shrug and apologize. The Ayla team came to us to help them design the solution to these problems: a diaper bag and vacuum pair. Both had to be minimal, beautiful and above all, functional.

THE CHALLENGE: The bag needed to look minimal and effortless but be far more than a one trick pony. The bag needed organization for multiple kiddos and mom. It needed to be a bottle warmer, snack holder, changing station, backpack, shoulder bag, and style icon for mom and dad all in one. 

The vacuum needed to be large enough to wrangle rogue goldfish but rest comfortably in cup holder. Aesthetically our joint vision with the Ayla team was something modern and minimal but still recognizable as a vacuum.

THE APPROACH: Both bag and vacuum are excellent examples of prototype evolution. 

Vacuum sketches turned into cardboard mockups, multiple rounds of 3D prints and 2 full-on prototypes. We worked through different shapes and forms until we landed on something that was modern and functional. The vacuum’s rotating oval shape allowed the nozzle and handle to be oriented properly while staying slim. 

The bag had so many pockets and details that we needed to get just right. Figuring out the transitional straps, a completely flat front pocket and the lofty idea of a completely removable interior for inevitable spillage required 5+ rounds of sampling. The Ayla team’s consistent eye for detail was exactly what we needed.

THE RESULTS: The compact, powerful Ayla Vac features dual-speed suction and a long battery life for a full day’s messes. It’s easy to empty and grabs everything from pesky glitter to chunky Puffs. And it’s stored perfectly in its tiny pocket home in the Ayla Bag.

The minimal vegan leather outside of the Ayla Bag compliments the uber functional and washable inside. Nothing gets lost because all the pockets are labeled and the front pocket even zips the bag fully open. The stylish removable insulated pocket and reusable silicone snack bag make meals on- the-go a breeze. There is even a washable dirty bag in the back pocket for those diaper blow outs with no trash can in sight. A minimal wipeable changing pad and stroller straps are included. We could go on for days about all the features in this super sleek bag built for any parent.