Design Development

My goal is to create a garment that is functional, wearable, and aesthetically pleasing.

Given the topic I am working with, it is critically important that the solar panels operate efficiently. At the same time, the garment must remain comfortable for the wearer.

For example, in many existing jacket projects with integrated solar panels, the panels are placed on the back. However, when hiking, people usually carry a backpack, which makes the back a poor location for solar panels. The same applies to the shoulders: on the one hand, they offer an excellent surface for solar cells, but in practice this area cannot be used because it is covered by backpack straps.

Next, I considered contemporary hooded bibs or a hooded vest.

However, this raised a concern for me: personally, I would feel uncomfortable wearing electronics so close to my head, even with lining and an air gap between the head and the electronic components.

That’s why I decided to experiment with more abstract forms—pieces that can be worn in different ways, with modular elements that could be added when needed to increase the efficiency of the solar panels.

I was inspired by origami, but as I am limited by the rectangle because of the shape of solar panel, for me origami becomes closer to pleats.

Modules with 2 types of solar panels

So now, I'm a bit lost and I'm on phase to re-think my project and may be to change it a bit.

Now I'm thinking about hats as the place for my solar panles wokr.