Creativity Exercise - week 4

 

Welcome back y'all! For this week’s creativity exercise, I picked up right where we left off with the same object we’ve been working with: the backpack. Up until now, we’ve looked at ways to change what it’s made of, what it does, and what we can remove from it. This time around, the focus is Rearrange, and honestly, this one feels way more subtle but just as powerful.

When I started thinking about rearranging a backpack, I realized how much of its design we just accept as “normal.” The biggest idea that came to mind was flipping the layout of the compartments. Instead of the largest pocket being closest to your back, what if it sat on the outer layer for quicker access? Laptops, notebooks, or even camera gear could be reached without digging through everything else. A small shift, but one that changes how the backpack is actually used day to day.
    Another rearrange idea was rethinking where straps and support live. What if shoulder straps could slide or reposition depending on how heavy the bag is? Or maybe the padding isn’t fixed in one place, but movable, letting users adjust comfort based on what they’re carrying. Rearranging those elements turns the backpack into something more adaptive, instead of one-size-fits-all.
    I also thought about rearranging access points. Zippers don’t always have to run vertically. A wraparound zipper or a side-opening design could completely change how quickly someone gets to their gear, especially for commuters or creatives who are constantly pulling things in and out. Same backpack, different flow.

    What this exercise really reminded me of is that creativity doesn’t always mean adding something new. Sometimes it’s just about shifting what already exists. By rearranging the structure, layout, or order of elements, you can completely change the experience of a product without reinventing it from scratch.