Context:
Three-legged dogs, or tripaws, present an underexplored challenge in mobility support design. Standard harnesses rely on bilateral front-leg anchoring; without it, they are prone to rotational displacement and poor fit. This instability is compounded by tripaws’ reliance on momentum, where leash tension introduces torque that further drives harness shifting. Existing solutions fail to address these dynamics, resulting in compromised support and inconsistent performance.
3DPets Tripaw Harness
3DPets Tripaw Harness
My Role:
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Led the project from research through prototyping, including user research synthesis, design criteria definition, and iterative development.
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​Executed soft goods construction and produced detailed tech packs for factory coordination across multiple sampling rounds.
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​Drove decisions on research approach, prototyping, and resolving fit across varied anatomies.
Constraints:
User Variability:
Variation in post-amputation anatomy (shoulder retained vs. removed) required adaptability across two distinct fit conditions.
Manufacturing Goals:
Prioritized ambidextrous, adjustable design to reduce SKU complexity and manufacturing cost.
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Market Gap:
Absence of existing solutions required defining design criteria from user research and competitive analysis.
Process:
01
Survey & Synthesis
Analyzed qualitative responses from a 100-owner survey to identify common failure modes in existing harnesses.
02
Competitive Analysis
Evaluated market offerings through hands-on testing, documenting fit, rotation, pressure points, and adjustability across sizes and amputation types.
03
User Interviews
Conducted in-depth interviews with Tripaw owners to uncover unmet needs, daily workarounds, and edge-case use scenarios.
04
Criteria Definition
Translated research into a prioritized set of design criteria to guide development and decision-making.
05
Iterative Prototyping
Progressed from hand-sewn prototypes to factory-produced samples, validating fit and performance across both anatomical profiles.
Results:
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Delivered a novel, adaptable fit system for two distinct anatomical profiles (details under NDA).
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Defined and operationalized research-driven criteria that unlocked a previously unsolved fit challenge.
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Contributed foundational research now informing continued product development.
Process:
04
Criteria Definition
Translated research into a prioritized set of design criteria to guide development and decision-making.
02
Competitive Analysis
Evaluated market offerings through hands-on testing, documenting fit, rotation, pressure points, and adjustability across sizes and amputation types.
01
Survey & Synthesis
Analyzed qualitative responses from a 100-owner survey to identify common failure modes in existing harnesses.
03
User Interviews
Conducted in-depth interviews with Tripaw owners to uncover unmet needs, daily workarounds, and edge-case use scenarios.
05
Iterative Prototyping
Progressed from hand-sewn prototypes to factory-produced samples, validating fit and performance across both anatomical profiles.
About
Contact
New Jersey Based
Website designed by Jenny Hegelein
© 2025 by JenHeg.com. Built on Wix Studio
Website designed by Jenny Hegelein
© 2025 by JenHeg.com. Built on Wix Studio
About
Contact
New Jersey Based