Wire No More

The objective of this project was to develop a plastic closet basket concept for IMA Norscan, with a strong emphasis on design language, functionality, and manufacturability. The project originated as a continuation of a study conducted by students from the business school, who investigated whether a plastic alternative could be more sustainable than the metal wire basket that has been part of IMA’s wardrobe systems for over 20 years. Their findings confirmed that a plastic version could indeed offer environmental benefits.

The challenge for the industrial design students was therefore to translate this potential into a tangible product—making the plastic basket feel just as sturdy, reliable, and premium as the metal version it was intended to replace. The basket needed to support a load of 15 kg, be injection-molded in no more than two parts, and ideally require no external assembly.

The design process began with an analysis of IMA’s visual identity and product aesthetics. A mood board was created to establish a design directive, followed by rough sketches to find a form that would align with IMA’s design language while also meeting technical requirements. Three sketches were selected—one for each key part of the basket—and later integrated into the CAD model.

The final concept is built around simplicity and integrated functionality: the basket can be manufactured as a single molded part. Rather than using wheels for the basket to slide on the rollers, the rear of the basket features a smooth, curved form that functionally mimics wheel movement. A subtle chamfer at the base reinforces the structure, providing the necessary support to meet the 15 kg requirement. Additional support was created at the base, around the holes and along the edge. The model was then tested in a simulation to ensure that it could meet the constraints.

The final design concept is a basket with both technical and visual approach, creating a unique and clean-looking product that respects the brand’s design heritage while embracing a more sustainable material direction.