William W., Technical Apparel Design
Receiving this grant gave me the opportunity to explore a project of personal interest that addresses a real and under-served need: improving rainwear for scooter commuters in Southeast Asia. Most technical apparel is designed for high-performance outdoor recreation, and rarely reflects the daily needs of urban commuters in hot, humid, and rain-prone regions. I wanted to challenge that pattern and focus on something more grounded in everyday mobility. While prototyping and testing were core components of the project, the grant significantly expanded what was possible. It allowed me to collaborate with skilled local professionals and experiment with high-performance materials that would have been otherwise cost-prohibitive. This enabled deeper material testing and more informed design decisions, especially around balancing usability and sustainability in extreme climate conditions. This experience pushed me to think more critically about context, access, and long-term impact. I’m grateful to the grant program for supporting this exploration and helping me grow as a designer committed to practical, user-centered, and environmentally responsible solutions.
UN-11
Sustainable Cities and Communities
UN-12
Responsible Consumption and Production
UN-14
Life Below Water
UN-15
Life on Land