Solace: Designing comfort into flying

Travel is overwhelming by design. Constant motion, noise, strangers, fluorescent lighting. For children on the autism spectrum, these conditions aren’t just uncomfortable; they can be unbearable. Solace began with a question: what if personal space could be portable?

The project combines user research and inclusive design to create a backpack that transforms into a private sensory environment — a place to retreat, regulate, and reset in the middle of an airport or bus station. Through iterative prototyping and testing with families, the design prioritizes autonomy, giving children control over their environment when they need it most.

It’s not just a product. It’s a thesis on what inclusive design actually means: designing not around disability, but with it understanding that the best solutions come from listening, not assuming.

Thanks to Jim Wilson, Lindsey O’ Connor, Stacy Monsen, Jeff Carter and Kate Love for your mentorship and support.