FrunkFlex
“SECURE YOUR CARGO, SIMPLIFY YOUR DRIVE”
What if the storage in your car was as innovative as the vehicle itself? For my senior capstone project, I partnered with Honda Research and Development to reimagine the electric vehicle’s front trunk, or “frunk,” as a space that’s both functional and seamlessly integrated. My final concept, FrunkFlex, is a modular storage solution featuring flexible, cushioned straps designed to adapt to a variety of items and storage needs. With FrunkFlex, the frunk becomes just as innovative and functional as the rest of the EV. Simple, secure, and protected from the elements, FrunkFlex is built for the future of driving and is ready to revolutionize trunk transport.
15-week project | Role: Designer, Project Manager
Individual project within a team collaboration with Honda Research & Development
This project received an honors research distinction and completed my thesis project requirements for graduation from The Ohio State University.
About the Project
The senior capstone serves as the culmination of The Ohio State University’s Industrial Design curriculum, bringing together the multitude of skills and knowledge gained throughout our undergraduate studies. This semester-long, sponsor-driven project challenges students to tackle real-world design problems with innovative solutions. In partnership with Honda Research and Development, my team was tasked with envisioning the future of the front trunk, or “frunk,” space in electric vehicles. Our objective was to explore how this emerging feature could enhance the functionality, convenience, and user experience of electric vehicles in meaningful ways.
Project Video
Process Book
A key component of this project’s final deliverables was a comprehensive process documentation book. This book compiles the project’s goals and expectations, and provides a detailed account of each stage in the product development journey. From initial research and ideation to prototyping, testing, and refinement, the documentation serves as both a record of progress and a reflection of my design thinking.
Beyond simply outlining steps, the book highlights important insights, challenges, and decisions that shaped the final outcome. It functions as a resource for both the client and collaborators, offering transparency into the workflow while showcasing the rigor and creativity behind the project. By thoughtfully curating this documentation, I ensured that the development process could be understood, referenced, and built upon in the future.
Final Product
During the early stages of concept ideation I reflected on how many existing car storage solutions feel like an afterthought. They tend to be bulky, visually unappealing, and often require buyers to turn to third-party retailers for options that don’t always integrate well with the vehicle. The frunk, on the other hand, offers a fresh opportunity to rethink storage. Its unique location and potential for customization make it an ideal space for creating solutions that are both functional and seamlessly integrated into the vehicle’s design. This opened the door to exploring how storage could be better tailored to meet the needs of modern drivers.
I was encouraged to consider innovative materials that I could bring into my final design. The Apple Vision Pro served as inspiration for the FrunkFlex strap. Its clean form, cushioned structure, and flexibility became key references as I imagined how the strap could function within the frunk space. This approach allowed me to prioritize both aesthetics and functionality, creating a solution that felt modern, durable, and adaptable to various storage needs.
Denman Undergraduate Research Forum
As part of my curriculum to graduate with research distinction, I presented this project at the Denman Undergraduate Research Forum, where I shared my process, findings, and outcomes through a research poster. Participating in the Denman allowed me to communicate my work to faculty, peers, and professionals, while also highlighting the depth of research and design exploration behind the project.
