3D Printed Camp Kitchen: Design Process

14th January 2026 • News

This example design is not intended as a finished answer or a template to copy. Instead, it serves as inspiration and shows one possible way of interpreting the brief, identifying real-world problems, and developing a solution through observation, prototyping, and iteration. Our design process included:

• using a self observation method to identify genuine user needs
• generating early ideas using a sketch overlay technique
• narrowing down opportunities through online research and an importance/difficulty matrix
• iterating through CAD and test prints
• refining the design through practical, real-world testing

Rather than starting with a predefined product idea, the design emerged gradually through observation and iteration. This reflects the kind of thinking and decision-making we encourage learners to develop through the challenge. Check out the whole design process in the video below:

We hope you enjoyed learning about our process. The Outdoor Adventures Challenge is available to PrintLab subscribers and is designed for classroom, makerspace, and independent learning contexts. Learners are free to decide what type of product to design, who it is for, and how they approach the process, supported by optional tips, tools, and resources across the platform.

As we previously mentioned, our example design is just one interpretation of the brief. The real value of the challenge comes from seeing how differently learners respond when given the same open-ended context. If you would like to explore the Outdoor Adventures Challenge, along with our growing library of resources, you can start a free PrintLab trial below.