Packa Collaborates with Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology – Redefining Innovation in Water Sports Gear
Packa is a brand dedicated to innovative design in water sports equipment, focusing on creating practical, lightweight products since its inception. In a competitive and fast-evolving market, staying on top of design trends while maintaining an eye for fashion is crucial, and this has been the driving direction for Packa from the start.
In its early years, Packa was fortunate to receive a recommendation from professor Guanjian in the Industrial Design Department at the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology (BIFT). The professor suggested using Packa’s products as the subject for a graduation design project. The professor believed that working with an existing sports brand was a more practical approach than developing a purely theoretical concept. This provided students with a real-world context—encompassing brand identity, target audience, market background, and design style—while avoiding overly speculative ideas. Unlike external industry collaborations, this allowed for more creative freedom, making it a valuable opportunity for students’ development.
For Packa, this collaboration represents a unique opportunity. As one of China’s leading fashion design institutions, BIFT has an impressive track record of designing apparel for major sporting events. Packa aims to leverage this collaboration to uncover new potential for its products and infuse them with fresh, innovative ideas. Together, we embark on a journey that merges cutting-edge academic insights with the artistry of sports design.
Guanjian， Associate Professor, Industrial Design Department, BIFT
Courses Taught: Design Thinking, Design Process and Methods, User Research and Market Analysis, Sports Equipment Design
Packa: Among the two graduation design projects, which one or which aspect left the deepest impression on you?
Professor GJ: Both projects—one for a PFD (personal flotation device) and the other for a backpack—serve distinct functions for land and water use. The scope and design media met BIFT’s graduation requirements, so neither project was more important than the other. What left the deepest impression on me, however, was the user research phase. Both students were new to packrafting, but they invested significant time interviewing and observing both casual users and professional enthusiasts. This helped ensure their designs were truly aligned with the practical needs of users in real-world environments.
Packa: As a packraft enthusiast yourself, how do these two designs compare to the gear you’ve used? Are there any unique features or standout differences?
Professor GJ: In design education, it’s crucial to find a balance between creativity and practicality. Graduation projects should explore bold ideas, but students also need to be mindful of material choices and production constraints. Compared to commercial products, these designs offer some interesting innovations. Without the same strict functional requirements, they allowed for more experimental approaches. For example, the PFD features a three-stage adjustable inflatable buoyancy chamber, and the backpack includes a foldable tabletop. Both were developed with user feedback in mind—specifically the need for portable PFDs and a surface to use or store items while on the water.
Packa: With outdoor water sports becoming increasingly popular, what do you believe is the core principle when designing water sports gear? How should students approach the design of outdoor sports equipment?
Professor GJ: The core principle of water sports gear design is always to be user-centered. Understanding and addressing the user’s needs is the key driving force behind any successful design. Water sports are not only about fitness and fun but also about community and style, and these elements should be reflected in the design of the gear. Students need to realize that sports equipment is not just a tool—it represents a lifestyle. From its aesthetics to its functionality, every design choice should cater to the user's preferences and habits. To create designs that truly resonate, students should immerse themselves in real-world scenarios and experiences.
Packa: As an outdoor sports brand, Packa is also eager to contribute to the development of original design talent. What more could brands like Packa do to support this?
Professor GJ: I’ve had conversations with Packa’s founder about this. As one of China’s top fashion design schools, BIFT’s collaboration with Packa could take many forms. For example, this graduation project is an open collaboration with no financial exchange, where the university taps into the company’s resources, and the company gains fresh, creative ideas from the school. If the designs are viable and ready for production, intellectual property rights would be shared. There are many other potential areas for collaboration, such as third-year student projects, joint research, or even setting up research centers. These partnerships can be as extensive or focused as needed, offering plenty of opportunities for mutual growth. I’m excited to see how these collaborations will evolve.
Fan Xiwen: School of Apparel and Engineering, BIFT, Industrial Design Major She designed a waterproof outdoor backpack specifically for packrafting, aiming to enhance the overall experience for packrafters on the water.During the design process, I conducted in-depth research into the needs and pain points of packrafters. I focused on functional innovations for the packrafting backpack, including waterproof materials and ergonomic features. I found that some users wanted the ability to relax and eat while on the water. As a result, I emphasized comfort, back support, stability, waterproofing, safety, and overall functionality in the design. The initial stage was challenging, especially when figuring out the optimal structure. However, once the design was finalized, the production process went much more smoothly. I hope this product can offer packrafters a completely new way to enjoy their time on the water.
Yin Mingxia: Industrial Design Department, BIFT She designed an inflatable, adjustable PFD for packrafters, featuring a customizable inflation system to adjust buoyancy based on the user's needs, ensuring comfort on the water while remaining compact for easy storage.Normally, when I use outdoor backpacks, it’s not in an athletic context, because traditional sports backpacks are often bulkier and more rigid. For this project, I wanted to create a backpack with entirely new functionality. I noticed that most outdoor backpacks are general-purpose and rarely cater to specific sports. So, I focused on creating a backpack tailored specifically for packrafting enthusiasts. I discovered that many packrafters use small tables on their boats for eating and relaxing, so I wanted to integrate that need into the design. The backpack can unfold into a small tabletop for meals and leisure while on the water. When ashore, the packraft can be securely strapped to the lower part of the backpack for easy transport, and the sides can hold paddles and other equipment.
