monty charlotte
preston
About
Systems & Communities
-> Dating in Older Adults
→ Wobble Maze
→ Art on [ Ledger ] Market
→ Thesis: Entangle!
Objects & Experiences
→ Snuffy
-> Biometric Wearables
→ Zine by Boys Club
-> BAGGS
monty charlotte
About
Systems & Communities
-> Dating in Older Adults
→ Wobble Maze
→ Art on [ Ledger ] Market
→ Thesis: Entangle!
Objects & Experiences
→ Snuffy
-> Biometric Wearables
→ Zine by Boys Club
-> BAGGS
Snuffy
The Blanket That Transforms When Your World Does
SNUFFY is a comforting throw blanket that transforms into a fire-resistant evacuation jacket for wildfire emergencies. Leveraging sustainable materials and no-tech solutions, SNUFFY is a smart device hiding in plain sight. Approachable, open-source pattern design allows parents anywhere to create a SNUFFY. Emboldening color and patch designs empower kids to rise to the occasion.
March-April, 2025
TomorrowLabs
Lauren Palazzi: Brand Direction, Prototyping
Monty Preston: Problem Research, Strategy, Prototyping, Photography
Haosen Zhang: Prototyping, Materials Research, Logo Design
As designers who all have connections to traumatic fire related events, we were moved to explore the experience of children in wildfire emergencies.
As designers who all have connections to traumatic fire related events, we were moved to explore the experience of children in wildfire emergencies.
It’s not easy being a kid today.
With climate disasters on the rise, children are forced to deal with dramatic life changes, including loss of home, possessions, and displacement from community. Studies show that “young survivors of weather-related disasters report high rates of PTSD, depression, sleep deficits, and learning issues.” (Harvard Medicine).
Fig. 1: Article 1, 2, 3. Image source | Fig. 2: Source. Image source.
Wildfires will continue to be an increasing threat, with projections putting global wildfire growth upwards of 30% by 2050. Traveling and burning a football field per second, wildfires creates challenges for government warning systems which aren't always timely or effective.
Fig. 3: Source. Image source.
Fig. 4: Source. Image source 1, 2, 3.
How might we hide emergency preparedness solutions inside
daily-use items to make them commonplace?
Knowing the speed at which wildfires arrive, we wanted a solution that would be readily accessible, and useful even in everyday, non-emergency situations. We decided to create a tranforming blanket that could be used daily in its basic form at home, taken camping, or stored in the car.
We moved between sketches on paper and prototypes in fabric, which allowed us to explore different forms, patterns, and functions for the SNUFFY.
Designed with the Journey in Mind
SNUFFY is made from wool: naturally fire retardant and thermoregulating. A large hood with a securable face cover protects the head and neck from flying embers and smoke inhalation.
SNUFFY has 4 utility pockets, for (1) an N95 mask, (2) ID and medical info cards, (3) a tile locator device, and (4) a keepsake item. Retro-reflective patches increase visibility in heavy smoke.
Drawstrings at the wrist secure the sleeves in place accommodating a range of arm lengths.
The Ultimate Security Blanket
SNUFFY transforms between blanket-state and jacket state in an efficient and straightforward process, guided by color-coded snaps (buttons seen here are representative of snaps only). Sewn-in magnets help secure flaps together and reduce the need for excessive snaps.
Top row: SNUFFY prototype front and back. Bottom rows: SNUFFY transformation process: unfold, remove panels, attach like-colored snaps, pull on overhead. Pockets store an N95, keepsake item, and medical information or ID cards.
Open-Source by Design
Sew your own SNUFFY jacket. Download the open-source blanket-to-jacket pattern, and start talking to your children about emergency preparedness today (pattern coming soon).