ACCESSIBILITY, BY DESIGN
A small press.
Greater
independence.
Opening a buckle should not depend on being able to pinch its two release tabs.
FastRelease is a working prototype being developed for people with very limited or no functional finger movement who cannot open a conventional side-release buckle.
Working prototype · Final specification in development
THE EVERYDAY BARRIER
A familiar action.
An overlooked challenge.
Small release tabs demand a coordinated squeeze. For someone who cannot perform that movement, even opening a backpack can become a barrier. FastRelease explores a practical alternative: a broader lever that can be pressed to operate the tabs.
MEET THE PROTOTYPE
See the movement.
Understand the idea.
Real prototype footage. Demonstrates mechanical operation, not a user trial.
- 01
Press the lever
The curved upper lever offers a broader contact surface than the buckle’s small side tabs.
- 02
Release the tabs
The mechanism acts on the release tabs of the compatible buckle used in development.
- 03
Separate the halves
Once released, the two buckle halves can be pulled apart.
SMALL DETAILS. EVERYDAY POSSIBILITIES.
Built around
real life.
A backpack buckle is our starting point. Making this first configuration clear, repeatable and useful comes before expanding to other applications.
Prototype shown. Backpack not included. Background and lighting retouched with AI.
FROM IDEA TO A DEFINED PRODUCT
Working today.
Developing what comes next.
The prototype exists. The next step is making it ready to produce consistently.
The current design is 3D printed and built around a particular buckle configuration. Kickstarter support will help fund refinement, documented testing, user feedback and preparation for a first production batch.
- 01 / DefineConfirm geometry, material and supported buckle configuration.
- 02 / TestAssess activation force, repeated use, fitting and relevant user feedback.
- 03 / PrepareEstablish repeatable production, assembly and quality checks.
- 04 / DeliverProduce the funded batch with fitting instructions and packaging.
HELP BUILD THE NEXT CHAPTER
Support a more
accessible everyday.
Back the development of FastRelease. Explore the physical rewards, current delivery estimates and project updates on Kickstarter.
Explore the campaign ↗Physical rewards are assembled accessories. See Kickstarter for confirmed contents and shipping details.
FOR MANUFACTURERS & COLLABORATORS
Make accessibility
part of the design.
We welcome conversations with buckle, backpack and accessory manufacturers.
Our ambition is to make FastRelease affordable and explore future integration into products people already use. We are interested in production expertise, compatibility development and relevant testing collaborations.
No manufacturing or integration partnership is currently announced.
Let’s discuss a collaboration ↗BEFORE YOU BACK
A few useful answers.
Will it fit every buckle?
No. The prototype is built around a specific configuration. Shape, dimensions and release-tab position matter; strap width alone does not confirm compatibility. Check the campaign’s latest compatibility and reward information before pledging.
Is this a finished retail product?
FastRelease is a functioning prototype in development. Materials, final geometry, assembly and supported buckle configuration remain to be finalized and tested for production.
Do I need a 3D printer?
No. Physical Kickstarter rewards are intended to be delivered as assembled accessories. Please check each reward’s final contents and fitting requirements on Kickstarter.
Who is creating FastRelease?
FastRelease is a project by Giorgio Licitra, the creator behind 3DLabDesign Italia, focused on a practical barrier in opening conventional backpack buckles.
How were the visuals made?
Photographs and demonstration footage originate from the real prototype. Selected photographs have AI-assisted background and lighting retouching. OpenAI tools also assisted with writing and layout. These visuals are not evidence of user testing or validated performance.