cor - ryo yonekawa

COR Helmet. A vector rendering of a cold-weather helmet on a stylized, ice-like blue mannequin head.

COR
insulated helmet

The Problem

Winter in Canada is not like most winters. The frigid cold freezes the residents to the core. Some are adamant about riding their bicycle even during the iciest of days. These hardy Canadians must endure sub-zero temperature with helmets riddled with holes -- not the most ideal design for the climate.

The Teammates

The COR bike helmet was a group project consisting of Eric Cross, Zach Van Der Paelt, and Ryo. The team contributed equally to the project.

Eric Cross

Zach Van Der Paelt

The Research

A very text-heavy and information dense research chart. Basically, the persona is a 25 year old urban commuter that owns a bike. People want good looking bikes for colder climates.

The Process

We decided early on that the best way to make use of the short project time is by designing a helmet that can be realistically prototyped without sacrificing the quality of the final product. We had two people working on a step while the third person readied the next step, and tagged in/out one person to ready the next step, and so-on.

Many sketches of helmet with the final design located centre.

Designers working with clay on a white mannequin head.

A more finished clay model of a helmet on a white mannequin head.

Finished, unpainted clay helmet on a white mannequin head.

We used a type of automotive modelling clay called Kolb TecClay. With a butane torch, it made easier to fix new clay to old. To smooth out the surface for that brilliant finish, we used isopropyl alcohol. We used air-sprayed acrylic paint for the paint-job.

The Final Model

In the final design, we designed a helmet with lower ear covering, coupled with fleece and comfortable foam pads to keep the rider's ears toasty. Due to the need to keep their head warm, the ventilation holes are moved to the back and side. The ventilation is enough to simply whisk away moisture.

Helmet prototype model at a different angle.

Helmet prototype from the back, showing detail on ventilation holes.

A closer look at the ventilation holes on the helmet prototype.