Pixel Sandbox Process
Our team was brought in to contribute to the design and development of a mock-up space for a refresh of the Pixel Sandbox room at the Google Store in Chelsea.
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At the time, the room featured several projectors casting video onto each wall, allowing visitors to take photos within the space. Because this was a full refresh, we started from a blank slate—exploring themes and creating mood boards to visualize what the room could become.
The Parameters
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​Our initial task was to spotlight the latest camera features—Auto Best Take, Macro Focus, Super Res Zoom, and, of course, Camera Coaching.
Beyond the camera features, we also had to consider the spatial constraints of the room, particularly when accommodating groups of two to three people at a time.
The Opportunity
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With these considerations in mind, we set out to design a foldable insert made from a thick, cardstock-like material that initially sits neatly at the bottom of the bag.
Ideation + Form Study
With only three weeks to execute, I began by quickly sketching a range of concepts—some exploring more playful, Google-forward forms and others staying closely aligned with the project constraints.
![[Edit]GSR-Bag-Insert_1.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64c2bd_856396ea0f774f1eb27db9e15eae5269~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_651,h_366,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/%5BEdit%5DGSR-Bag-Insert_1.jpg)
Form
Once I had a solid direction I moved quickly into making cardstock mock-ups to experiment with how this might fold up securely into a cord organizer. Through team feedback, the Toblerone form consistently stood out as the preferred direction.
Form
Once we received a material sample closer to the final insert thickness, I began refining the mock-up to fine-tune tolerances. Given that the material was matte board, I used a laser cutter to achieve greater precision in the details.
We evaluated how the graphics and instructions translated across both the flat and fully assembled states of the insert. After narrowing down the strongest options, the team reviewed them together to determine the final design.
After reviewing all design iterations, a final direction was selected and prepared for production.
GSR Shopping Bag Insert
A multifunctional Google Store bag insert that folds into a cord holder, turning packaging into a useful object.
While working as a Production Designer with the GSR team at Google, I collaborated with two designers to create an origami-inspired cord organizer derived from the insert of the newest Google Store shopping bag.
The aim was to transform a simple element into a functional, reusable accessory that captured Google’s playful yet practical design ethos.
Collaborators:
GSR Team
(Judy Minn + Anastasia Laksmi)
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Year:
2024
Working within a fixed dimensional footprint, the design needed to be easy to fold while securely holding cords in place. We explored various forms and eventually drew inspiration from the Toblerone candy bar, finding its triangular structure both fun and practical. Through sketches and physical mock-ups, we refined the concept into a foldable, functional piece that carried a distinctly “Googley” feel.
Once we defined the user journey for assembling the foldable cord organizer, we incorporated the graphics and instructions directly onto the insert. The final design came together beautifully—playful, functional, and perfectly complemented by the signature Google blue of the new bag.
If you ever drop by a Google Store and purchase something, ask for the blue shopping bag—you’ll find the insert we created inside.
