Sling is a collection of handcrafted products that merge rugged utility with street-ready fashion.
As a signature line under Homegrown Studio, each piece utilizes upcycled denim and durable climbing rope. Every product is one-of-a-kind, engineered to endure daily life while ensuring the user feels bold, intentional, and fashion-forward.
Category: Soft Goods
Duration: 3.5 months
Tools: Figma, photoshop, illustrator
Team members
Mia Hutter Divya Vemulapalli Gabe Smith Netsanet Thompson
The ADAAPT Innovation Studio is a student-led pop-up marketplace located in Cincinnati's Findlay Market.
This semester featured a unique collaboration between Industrial Design and Engineering students. The resulting collection was produced and sold exclusively at the ADAAPT storefront.
The ADAAPT Innovation Studio
Project Constraints
Manufacturing cost: Under $20 per unit
Retail price: $30–$60
Production grant: $500 from DAAP
24 West Elder Street in Cincinnati, Ohio
Market Research: Understanding the Need
I spent time observing shoppers at Findlay Market to understand how people carry their groceries and personal items.
Key Findings
Most people used disposable paper/plastic bags or basic reusable totes
Many struggled juggling multiple items without proper structure
Bags lacked comfort for longer walks or bike rides
Shoppers Observed
12
50+
Bag Types Analyzed
Pain Points Found
5
Drawing inspiration from outdoor gear, street fashion, and sustainable design, we created a vision board to guide our aesthetic direction.
Vision & Inspiration
From Concept to Product
Received the highest ratings. Users loved that it was unique and solved a daily need they didn't know they had.
Water Bottle Holder
User Testing Results
Purchase intent
Well-liked but less practical for daily use. We refined it to be more fashion-forward and complement the bottle holder.
Tote Bag
92%
Purchase intent
68%
3
2
Water Bottle Holder
Fanny pack
Phone holder
Tote Bag
Partnership with Goodwill provided free upcycled materials
Crafting the Water Bottle Holder
~1 hr
Production Time Per Unit
My primary contribution was developing the Water Bottle Holder—a study in structural knotting.
Square Knots
Used for the body structure to create strength and flexibility
High-Tension Whipping
Finishing technique that secures the bottle weight
Maintains tactile feel while supporting heavy loads
Lightweight Design
1
Universal Fit Design
The knotting technique adapts to different bottle sizes, from standard 16oz to large 32oz containers.
Reducing Waste
To push the sustainability of the project further, I utilized disregarded rope scraps to create a series of Lighter Holders.
By applying snake knots to these smaller materials, I created a new product tier for the Sling ecosystem.
At The Market
Our products were displayed and sold at the ADAAPT storefront in Findlay Market, where customers could see the craftsmanship, try them on and purchase them.
Laser cut tags and filled cut with paint to showcase logo
