I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the insights of hundreds of people with diabetes went into our KYT Collection.
But I haven't really explained what I mean by that, have I?
KYT started with me and my leather sewing machine. I had this hunch that if I made a few bags that looked like cool, contemporary handbags – but redesigned the inside to organise and store diabetes equipment – someone might be interested.
After creating many duds followed by a few prototypes, I took some pics and shared them on social media. I also started connecting with diabetes support groups, associations and community organisations to see if anyone would be interested in giving me feedback on the bags. Turns out, people were very keen to chat!
I met people in person; talked to parents and partners; joined diabetes support groups and community meetups in other cities; and Skyped people (remember Skype?) from all kinds of countries in the wee hours of the morning. Soon enough, I had a bunch of insights, recommendations and requests that gave me enough confidence to develop and launch our first crossbody bag.
Once our first design was out, I launched straight into designing the collection of bags that we have now. This happened through a research roadie, where I visited people all over New Zealand (and kept calling people overseas in the wee hours of the morning), hosting design workshops to understand what kinds of bags people most wanted next, and why.
In many ways, this is the answer to why KYT exists at all (dive deeper into my founder story here). What began as a hunch became a real business because people took the time to share their lived experience of diabetes, their frustrations, and their ideas for doing things better.
This is how a community of generous and clever people created KYT, and I'm eternally grateful for their help, ideas and early belief in me.
I'll leave you with some of the best design suggestions I've heard along the way:
- Loren gets full credit for suggesting that we put a double zip on the diabetes half of SideKYT and SideKYT+ which created the handiest, on-the-go, travel feature ever. More on why I back SideKYT as the best diabetes travel bag here.
- Sam was the genius who suggested a detachable trash pouch. Game changer.
- John told me all he was looking for was a cool accessory small enough to strap to the front of his motorbike, which was the start of StarterKYT, our compact insulin carrying case (get the full tour here).
- And the prize for best story goes to Chris, who said he was sick of wearing cargo pants as the best way to carry his diabetes equipment!
Keen to join our design community and put your suggestions in the mix? Please get in touch.
Bridget xx
Designer & Diabetic
