Sissi Lu Inc
Do Not X Ray Pouch
Designed a sleek travel pouch that empowers film photographers to navigate airport security with confidence - now stocked in 300+ stores across North America after a sold out launch.
Project type: UX-Led Physical Product
Role: Lead Designer
Stakeholders: Company founder, manufacturer
Duration: 3 months
The Problem
For photographers traveling with film, airport security can feel daunting. Built for laptops and phones, not light sensitives rolls of film.
Photographers need a clear, credible way to request film hand checks without delays, language barriers or risking damage to their work.
The Goal
Design a sleek, credible tool that empowers photographers to request hand checks quickly and confidently - across languages and airport protocols - without compromising their film.
User Research & Insights
To understand the challenges photographers face while traveling with film, I leveraged Sissi Lu’s Instagram platform. With an audience of over 100,000 people - a large portion of those being analog photographers around the world - I conducted polls and collected qualitative insights that explore how photographers currently travel with film and the challenges they face.
Instagram Poll Results
I received responses from 800+ participants globally, the majority of whom identified as active analog photographers.
The majority of people use basic ziplock bags or keep film loose when traveling.
Half of the respondents said worrying about x-ray damage was their top concern.
The majority of photographers experienced communication or credibility issues.
Most photographers travel with between 6-10 rolls of film.
In Their Own Words
Based on my research, I identified three Jobs to Be Done that guided the design direction:
“I need a quick and effective way to ask airport security for a hand check, so I can protect my film from the x ray machine without holding up the queue.”
“I need a professional and credible way to alert airport security that my film requires a hand check, so I’m taken seriously and not pressured into risking damage to my work.”
“I need a simple way to request a hand check in multiple languages when traveling abroad, since technical requests like this are difficult to translate even with apps.”
Design Exploration
I explored a number of possible solutions, evaluating each using an Impact/Effort Matrix.
I landed on the pouch as my design solution because it’s…
Professional
Communicates seriousness and legitimacy.
All-in-one
Keeps film organised and easily accessible.
Lightweight
Doesn’t add bulk or weight to carry-ons.
Complementary
Can house info cards and stickers.
Designing the “Do Not X-Ray” Pouch
To ensure the final product directly responded to real user behaviour and pain points, I used the Jobs To Be Done framework to bridge insights and design choices. Each core job from my research became a foundation for the pouch’s design.
“I need a quick and effective way to ask airport security for a hand check, so I can protect my film without holding up the queue.”
What I Heard
Photographers needed a way to advocate for themselves without delay or disruption
“I need a professional and credible way to alert airport security that my film requires a hand check, so I’m taken seriously and not pressured into risking damage to my work.”
What I Heard
Travellers are worried about being dismissed or seen as difficult when asking for hand checks, especially if they don’t appear credible or prepared.
“I need a simple way to request a hand check in multiple languages when traveling abroad, since technical requests like this are difficult to translate even in apps.”
What I Heard
Language barriers add stress for travellers, especially when trying to explain terms like, “ISO,” “light-sensitive,” or “x-ray damage” on the spot.
After sketching out a few ideas, I landed on a final sketch which I used as the basis for the film pouch mockups:
Front
Back
Physical Prototype
Front
Back
Testing & Feedback
Size Limitations
Users wanted multiple sized pouches to accommodate different film quantities and formats.
I conducted a usability study with five analog photographers who regularly travel with film. Each participant used the pouch during actual air travel and shared feedback based on their in-the-moment experiences at airport security checkpoints.
Material Feel and Perception
The initial plastic material felt disposable. Users wanted a more sustainable fabric with a premium feel.
Confident Communication
While users couldn’t confirm whether airport staff treated them differently, they felt more confident and prepared to ask for a hand check with the pouch.
Refining the Design
I moved the translations on the back of the pouch to an info card that neatly slots into the pouch. This was done to retain the sleek, minimal feel of the pouch and reduce clutter:
I added a tag that attaches on the zipper of the pouch for increased clarity and credibility:
Front
Back
Changed flat zipper to looped zipper end for increased accessibility and customisation (adding charms etc):
Final Design
Impact
Sold out the first drop, with 1,000+ units purchased.
Generated $16K+ in revenue within the first three months.
Secured retail presence in 300+ camera stores across the US and Canada via a major distributor.