Pole Banner Tote Bags for Otis College of Art & Design

As part of the Otis College Design Lab, I collaborated with a team of student designers to create sustainable and community-centered merchandise for the campus store. Our focus was on identifying product opportunities that connected directly with the Otis student experience while aligning with the college’s values.

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We began with in-depth research into the store’s current offerings and customer demographic, identifying key product gaps. After meeting with Otis stakeholders to define the goals, we explored multiple concepts and ultimately developed a multi-pocket tote bag made from upcycled campus banner materials. The design incorporated Otis’s logo in a functional way, blending utility with school spirit.

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Throughout the production phase, we tackled challenges like material constraints and manufacturing trade-offs. Our team streamlined the process by inventing new assembly techniques that reduced labor time and improved efficiency.

 

Once completed, we curated a full campaign around the tote—designing a window display for the on-campus Graphaids store, styling and directing an editorial photo shoot, and creating social media content. The bags sold out within the first week, showing how strong design rooted in community can truly resonate.