Casper Dog Bed
User Research, Design, & Development
This was a super fun project that had two distinct users to consider; the dog and the human owner. Working nearly entirely by myself, I researched, designed, sourced, and developed this cozy sleep environment for canines and their homes.
Research
Over several months of desk and field research, speaking with users, dogs, an animal behaviorist, as well as working with a university scanning electron microscope, I identified key insights and design principles that shaped the requirements needed for the perfect sleep environment.
Design
Wild dogs seek protected places to sleep, usually up against a wall of trees. A bolstered bed provides a raised perimeter providing a safe and secure place for a dog to tuck into.
Since most dog beds look ragged after minimal use, I developed a multi-zippered concept that allows the outer cover to be easily removed for machine washing. Shaped foam inserts provide a durable and tailored look that provide physical comfort to dogs and visual comfort to their owners.
Development & Testing
Over the course of six months, hundreds of vignettes, samples, patterns, and prototypes were made. Extra attention was focused on dog friendly features while still ensuring a tidy overall form. Both dog and human user testing was conducted in a variety of formats.
Foam Core
Dual foams are used in both the bolsters and mattress to provide a soft top with an underlying supportive base. Memory foam and poly foam compositions provide ideal comfort for aging joints and bones.
Fabric Cover
Two fabric qualities create a sophisticated tone-on-tone cover that looks great as well as sheds dog hair easily. Dual zippers combined with strategically placed seams, encase the foam elements and provide easy maintenance.
Launched
The Casper dog bed was introduced in 2016 in three sizes and colors. Sold in both the USA and Europe with a 30 night free trial, the dog bed generates around $6 million in annual sales.
