Project: BusyBee & Onbuhimo Baby Carrier Design
Role: Product Design & Development
Duration: march 2023-sept 2025
Product Description
Beespoke is a collection of design-forward baby carriers created to bring together the best of function, Comfort and fashion. Each carrier is thoughtfully engineered for ergonomic support and everyday comfort, while featuring elevated fabrics and finishes that complement a parent’s personal style. The line includes two carrier styles—BusyBee (ring-style waistband) and Onbuhimo (A waist-band-free carrier)—offering parents versatile options that adapt to their lifestyle.
The Problem
As I explored babywearing communities—both in person and through online forums—I kept noticing a theme: parents loved certain carriers, but always with a caveat. “I like this one, except for…” came up again and again. Some wanted the comfort of one brand, but wished it looked more elevated. Others admired the simplicity of a certain style, but longed for better back support. I began to see a pattern: parents didn’t want to sacrifice comfort for style, or function for aesthetics—they wanted it all in one carrier. Yet, the market consistently forced them to choose.
My Goal
I set out to solve that gap by creating a baby carrier that combined the best elements parents were asking for—supportive, comfortable, functional, and undeniably beautiful. My goal was to design carriers that not only met safety and ergonomic standards but also gave parents confidence in their own style. By merging insights from real parents with thoughtful design, Beespoke was born as a brand that empowers parents through carriers that feel as good to wear as they are to look at.
Empathy
At the heart of Beespoke’s design process was listening closely to parents. Through babywearing groups, public forums, and conversations with caregivers, I began to understand not just what they were using, but how they felt while using it. Many parents expressed frustration: straps that dug in, carriers that felt bulky or complicated, or styles that clashed with their sense of self. Others shared how much they loved certain carriers—except for one key element—whether it was the lack of support, limited adjustability, or an appearance they didn’t feel confident wearing.
What I heard over and over again was that parents didn’t want to compromise. They wanted to feel connected to their baby while still feeling human, capable, and stylish. Babywearing wasn’t just about convenience—it was about empowerment. By empathizing with these experiences, I was able to identify patterns in the needs and desires of parents and translate them into design principles for Beespoke: comfort, beauty, functionality, and simplicity all working together.
Pain Points
Comfort Trade-offs – Straps that dug into shoulders, waistbands that lacked support, or carriers that became uncomfortable after short periods of wear.
Complicated Design – Many carriers required multiple confusing steps to put on, making parents feel stressed and discouraged, especially when juggling a fussy baby.
Lack of Style – Parents often felt their carriers looked too bulky, technical, or juvenile—clashing with their personal style and leaving them feeling less confident.
One-Size-Fits-All Limitations – Carriers didn’t always adjust well to different body types or caregiving needs, leaving some parents feeling excluded or underserved.
How Might We Statements
How might we design a carrier that provides long-lasting ergonomic support while still feeling lightweight and comfortable for everyday use?
How might we simplify the process of putting on a carrier so parents can confidently use it even when managing a fussy baby alone?
How might we create a baby carrier that feels like an intentional part of a parent’s wardrobe—elevated, modern, and beautiful—without sacrificing function?
How might we design a carrier that adapts seamlessly to different body types, parenting styles, and stages of a baby’s growth?
Brainstorm
With clear user needs in mind, I moved into ideation—exploring how different features and aesthetics could come together in a single carrier. I started by brainstorming all the possible solutions to the challenges parents faced, from rethinking strap placement to experimenting with different waistband styles. My goal was to generate a wide range of options before narrowing down.
I created hundreds of sketches, rapidly combining and remixing the best elements from existing carriers while exploring new possibilities. Some concepts emphasized adjustability, others simplicity, and some focused on aesthetics and fabric integration. This process allowed me to visualize how features like supportive waistbands, intuitive strap systems, and elevated design details could coexist in one cohesive product.
The sketching phase wasn’t just about drawing—it was about problem-solving. By pushing myself to explore every possible combination, I was able to identify which design elements consistently supported comfort, usability, and style, setting the foundation for the first prototypes.
Prototype & Testing
After narrowing down design directions, I moved into prototyping to bring the concepts to life. I cut and sewed several iterations myself, experimenting with different strap placements, waistband structures, and body panel shapes to refine both comfort and usability. Each prototype taught me something new—how small adjustments could dramatically improve fit, ease of use, or overall balance.
Once I had refined the physical design, I translated those learnings into digital assets for production. I created the finalized sewing patterns by first building them physically, then converting them into PDF patterns. Alongside these, I developed detailed technical drawings and spec sheets to form the foundation of tech packs. These were prepared to guide manufacturers in reproducing the carriers with precision while maintaining the integrity of the design.
This iterative prototyping process ensured that Beespoke carriers weren’t just beautiful on paper, but functional, safe, and comfortable in real-world use.
Iterating; Lots and lots of iterating
Beespoke has been a two-year journey of continuous refinement. What began as hand-sewn prototypes has evolved through countless rounds of iteration, each one shaped by three key influences: manufacturability, customer feedback, and ongoing design development.
Working closely with patternmakers and manufacturers, I refined details to ensure the carriers could be produced at scale without sacrificing quality or comfort. At the same time, I actively listened to parents—gathering feedback on fit, ease of use, and overall experience. Their insights helped confirm what was working and revealed where small adjustments could make a big impact.
Layered onto this was my own design development: pushing the aesthetic, refining proportions, and continually asking how the carriers could feel more intuitive, beautiful, and empowering. Each iteration moved the design closer to balance—a product that is functional enough for daily use, manufacturable at high quality, and elevated enough to stand apart in the market.
Key Takeaways
Parents don’t want to compromise — comfort, function, and style must coexist in one product.
Empathy drives design — observing conversations in parenting groups revealed real, nuanced needs that informed design choices.
Iteration is essential — over two years, repeated prototyping and refinement balanced manufacturability, user feedback, and design vision.
Brand and product are inseparable — the success of Beespoke lies not just in the carrier itself but in the elevated, empowering identity that surrounds it.
Next Steps
Moving forward, my focus is on preparing Beespoke for full-scale production and launch. This includes finalizing manufacturer partnerships, refining tech packs for consistency, and aligning marketing strategy with potential collaborations (such as coordinated collections with apparel brands). Full safety testing will be conducted to ensure each carrier meets rigorous ergonomic and regulatory standards. Continued user testing and feedback will remain central to ensuring the carriers not only meet but exceed parent expectations. The ultimate goal is to bring Beespoke to market as a brand that redefines babywearing—where comfort, beauty, safety, and empowerment meet.