【Development Background】
When camping, various situations give rise to diverse needs. Gathering the right tools to match these moments is, in itself, one of the joys of the camping experience.
However, carrying specialized gear for each specific purpose inevitably leads to poor packing efficiency and increased weight. Particularly in situations where access is primarily on foot, the "volume" and "weight" of the gear you carry become critical factors that determine your range of movement and overall comfort.
This project adopts an approach of "functional integration," enabling a single piece of gear to handle multiple tasks: when sitting around the campfire, you might want a small side table nearby; while cooking, space for a cutting board and ingredients is often lacking; before packing up, you need a place to air out small items. Our goal is to create gear that solves all these "minor inconveniences" at once. By reducing the total number of items you need to bring, we aim to achieve an optimal balance in "quantity," "size," and "weight."
【Design Highlights】
・ Multiple functions achieved through changes in "form"
・ Lean, simple design with no excess
・ A balanced combination of lightweight construction and durability
＊ Partial Concept Proposals
【The Story of Product Development】
In the first few months of the project, we repeated the prototyping process over and over again. However, every prototype we produced ended up with too many parts and a complicated structure. Our goal was a "lean, simple form," but before we knew it, in our effort to incorporate functionality, the design became more and more complex. We were determined to achieve a much simpler "form."
Then one day, we had a change of perspective. What if, instead of thinking of a table merely as a "board (surface) for placing things," we reimagined it as a "frame" that defines a space? If the structure of the frame and the positional relationships between its parts could be freely altered, then the way you use the space created within that "frame" would naturally change as well. No surface? Just place a board on it. Want to hang something on the frame? You can hang it directly. Need to suspend something? You can hang it as is.
This shift in thinking—reimagining the table as a frame—was, in a sense, a very simple change of perspective, yet it became the biggest breakthrough in our development process. The complex mechanisms that had caused us so much trouble vanished as if they were never there. The form we needed to pursue finally came into clear focus.
Our first step was to optimize the fundamental structure. Through repeated strength simulations, we identified the critical points under the most stress and refined the design to concentrate strength precisely in those areas. By conducting iterative structural analyses using 3D CAD, we pinpointed areas of stress concentration and, from the perspective of material mechanics, derived the most efficient load distribution structure.
＊ Product parts photography
After that, we meticulously scrutinized every part, down to the last screw, continuously eliminating any redundant elements. At the same time, we fundamentally re-examined the mechanism of the moving parts and repeated the prototyping process to no end. We adjusted the precision of the machined parts down to the micron level, eventually perfecting a mechanism that locks into place with a satisfying "click" and a reassuring, solid feel.
After approximately eight months, through countless prototypes and improvements, the "Multi-function Frame-001" is finally complete. When I held the finished frame in my hands, I felt a strange sensation, as if I had finally met a partner who had accompanied me on a long journey. We sincerely hope that this "Multi-function Frame-001" will serve not just as a piece of camping gear, but as a "tool" that inspires the creativity of each and every user.
Change the frame, and the way you use it changes. Change the way you use it, and the way you enjoy camping changes.
May you be free from the burden of heavy luggage and venture out into the field with greater ease.
And may the time you spend there be richer and more memorable.
That is our only wish.