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theabortionator
April, 2025

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Hi, my team and I are creating a mask that integrates with Avalung and we want your feedback!

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artfullydodged
Posts: 8358 - Karma: 1,674
Hey guys and girls,

I am working on a project for a NPD (New Product Development) class in the area of avalanche safety. Our research indicated that common complaints about the otherwise well loved avalung is the discomort of skiing with the mouthpiece in and the fact that if you don't manage to get it in on time it's useless. To solve this problem we have been working on creating a mask, akin to that a jet pilot would wear, that is adapted to our needs as skiiers and can integrate with the avalung system. We have arrived at 3 final conecpt renderings and will be moving forward to creating physical prototypes in the coming weeks.

I would like your feedback on which of these designs looks most appealing to you, but I welcome additional ideas and criticisms. If you think a compbination of designs would be cool we can do that too. I've included notes from our industrial designer.

The mask will be easily removable by clip and can be clipped to the Avalung when it is not in use.


n essence these would be piping sewn to a fabric cover that went over the hard shell.


"Mirrored" Design: As we've discussed having the hard shell surface be reflective similar to the goggles might be cool. In this drawing I also have the straps continue around the intake tube to make it more visible as is a common theme in my visual language exploration of related products. I also bumped out the mouth area a bit more to give more breathing space.


Simple Form with Graphics" Design: In this version I was going for the simplest possible form with an emphasis on the graphics that would be applied to the hard shell. Note: at this phase i'm really not supposed to be showing you anything too specific in terms of colors or graphics but I because that would be the main, most noticeable, element of this type of design I felt like I had to color this one so you could get a better sense of the impact it would have. Keep in mind we would be doing a whole range of graphics with styles ranging from things like funny mustaches to octopus tentacles to shark teeth, to skeleton teeth, to referencing the Iron Man mask, to whatever the user would want to personalize their face with.
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10 years ago
19 0
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suup
Posts: 1485 - Karma: 4,370
looks like a beer bong
10 years ago
2 0
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7290 - Karma: 18,698
I think this is a pretty cool idea and I'm impressed with what you have so far so good work.

My first question is regarding where ing the device when riding an if there are any issues in oxygen intake. Have you done any tests on if wearing the mask would restrict air intake as both the nose and moth are covered unlike the original where the nose is still free.

From a design standpoint I like the first the best. But from an avalanche point of view the second or third coul be better. Idealy having it a bright colour which is easy to spot so although it may be hard to make it look "cool" a brighter colour is probably the way to go.

I wish I got to do stuff like when I was in education.
10 years ago
3 0
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artfullydodged
Posts: 8358 - Karma: 1,674
tomPietrowskiI think this is a pretty cool idea and I'm impressed with what you have so far so good work.

My first question is regarding where ing the device when riding an if there are any issues in oxygen intake. Have you done any tests on if wearing the mask would restrict air intake as both the nose and moth are covered unlike the original where the nose is still free.

From a design standpoint I like the first the best. But from an avalanche point of view the second or third coul be better. Idealy having it a bright colour which is easy to spot so although it may be hard to make it look "cool" a brighter colour is probably the way to go.

I wish I got to do stuff like when I was in education.



Unfortunately we don't have time to test our initial prototype and make significant changes before the end of the semester, but the oxygen intake is something we would focus on perfecting if we did. The mask will be removable and stowable against the chest when hiking or when in a safe zone, but should be worn in sketchy areas and during descent. If the project generates enough interest I will carry on with it. My school offers seed money for promising entrepreneurial projects so maybe this thing will see the light of day somewhere down the line!
10 years ago
0 0
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7290 - Karma: 18,698
godhatesfigsUnfortunately we don't have time to test our initial prototype and make significant changes before the end of the semester, but the oxygen intake is something we would focus on perfecting if we did. The mask will be removable and stowable against the chest when hiking or when in a safe zone, but should be worn in sketchy areas and during descent. If the project generates enough interest I will carry on with it. My school offers seed money for promising entrepreneurial projects so maybe this thing will see the light of day somewhere down the line!

That is very cool. I would say do a little market research and see if others may be interested in somthing like this. Have you contacted black diamond at all?
10 years ago
1 0
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bnewbs6
Posts: 1919 - Karma: 1,463
godhatesfigsUnfortunately we don't have time to test our initial prototype and make significant changes before the end of the semester, but the oxygen intake is something we would focus on perfecting if we did. The mask will be removable and stowable against the chest when hiking or when in a safe zone, but should be worn in sketchy areas and during descent. If the project generates enough interest I will carry on with it. My school offers seed money for promising entrepreneurial projects so maybe this thing will see the light of day somewhere down the line!


If I were designing it I would find a way to integrate it to your helmet so you can unclip it fro one side and be able to have it hang while you are hiking. Like a pilots mask. And have a way to clip it on really fast with one hand. I don't know im not a designer. thats just what I would like.
10 years ago
4 0
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Al.Capone
Posts: 661 - Karma: 2,779
bnewbs6If I were designing it I would find a way to integrate it to your helmet so you can unclip it fro one side and be able to have it hang while you are hiking. Like a pilots mask. And have a way to clip it on really fast with one hand. I don't know im not a designer. thats just what I would like.


Like a mouthguard, I second that. Cool idea OP
10 years ago
1 0
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artfullydodged
Posts: 8358 - Karma: 1,674
bnewbs6If I were designing it I would find a way to integrate it to your helmet so you can unclip it fro one side and be able to have it hang while you are hiking. Like a pilots mask. And have a way to clip it on really fast with one hand. I don't know im not a designer. thats just what I would like.


That's the idea! It's secured by a clip on both sides so you can either let it hang or remove it completely.

Thank you all for the feedback.
10 years ago
1 0
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msg
Posts: 1108 - Karma: 3,269
Whoa I'm impressed. First looks the best.
10 years ago
0 0
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artfullydodged
Posts: 8358 - Karma: 1,674
Hey everyone,

The project has come to an end. Here is what we ended up with based on your votes!



And a video to show our functional prototype

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/741647/Maverick-in-the-Field
10 years ago
3 0
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CTD
Posts: 6302 - Karma: 357
nice renders!
10 years ago
0 0
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shepux
Posts: 470 - Karma: 1,630
That's such a good idea!
10 years ago
0 0
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artfullydodged
Posts: 8358 - Karma: 1,674
Our biggest challenge going forward would be balancing comfort with the neccessity for the mask to stay on in the turbulent conditions of an avalanche. That work is beyond the scope of our project, but its something to think about! Thanks for the love everyone.
10 years ago
1 0
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