A proposal that explores how product design can respond to evolving urban mobility habits through solutions that are more functional, adaptable and user-centred.
FOLDMET: Redesigning the Helmet for Urban Mobility
IED Kunsthal Bilbao – Students of the Official Master's Degree in Product Design and Ecodesign
Academic year
2025/2026
How can helmet use in urban environments be encouraged without compromising convenience once the journey is over? This question inspired FOLDMET, a project by Ángela Bellido, a student of the Official Master's Degree in Product Design and Ecodesign.
FOLDMET is a foldable helmet designed specifically for urban mobility. The project addresses one of the main barriers to everyday helmet use: the inconvenience of carrying and storing it after reaching a destination. Through a compact and functional design approach, FOLDMET seeks to bridge the gap between safety and convenience, adapting to the realities of contemporary city life.
The project was developed as part of an exercise focused on creating and defining a design brief, a fundamental tool for integrating the functional, technical, environmental and formal requirements of a product into a coherent design strategy. Starting from this initial framework, Ángela explored different design opportunities and concepts before developing a proposal closely aligned with both user needs and project objectives.
FOLDMET highlights the importance of clearly defining a design challenge as the foundation for meaningful innovation. By addressing a real-world mobility issue, the project demonstrates how thoughtful product design can contribute to safer, more practical and user-centred urban experiences.
The project was developed under the guidance of Laxmi Nazabal, Lucas Abajo and Carlos San José, coordinator of the Official Master's Degree in Product Design and Ecodesign.
