4 Week Project
Sophomore 2025
MATKA
Prenatal to Postpartum Tote
Matka is a tote bag designed for expecting mothers, adapting to their changing needs throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.
Skills Learned
Softgoods
CMF
User-Centered Design
User
The On-The-Go Mother
Pregnancy
Experiences new body pains and has troubles with bags straining back and shoulders
Hopes for a physically accommodating solution
Labor
Needs to get out the door quickly
Hopes for a quick-to-pack bag that holds bulky items
Postpartum
Navigating new responsibilities with her baby, she hopes to remain as attentive and prepared as possible
She wants to carry both her own essentials and her baby’s necessities in one organized bag to reduce clutter
Interviews
Mothers:
“I am worried about quickly gathering and stuffing grocery bags while I’m in labor. I need a quicker, dignified solution.”
Local Midwives:
“Diaper bags only accommodate for my baby. I hate having to carry one and my purse at the same time.”
“I don’t want my bag to distract me from my baby. I always want a free hand.”
“We see all sorts of bags come through the door, usually packed haphazardly and spilling at the brim.”
“Less is more. Keeping it as close to one bag as possible is ideal to reduce stressors and unnecessary elements.”
How might we design a versatile bag that adapts to a mother's changing needs, reduces physical strain, and keeps essentials for both mother and baby organized and accessible?
Ideation
Chose tote bag for familiarity and comfort
Decided that tote must be made of stiff fabric to prevent sagging
Final prototypes
CMF
Easy to clean
Durable
Soft/Comforting
Matka
The Pregnancy Tote that Stays with You
Varying carry options to reduce physical strain.
Velcro strips create versatile loops for attaching the bag to strollers or securing shoulder straps.
Accessible pockets enable quick, easy, one-handed retrieval of essentials.
Features a drink pouch, magnetic clasp and key-ring holder
