Learning Outcomes: 3. Act autonomously in the research and synthesis of visual materials to support and inform the creation of original concepts.

The magnetic climbing gear I designed for the Excelsior brief, best demonstrates use of research in support of original concepts.

Firstly I checked if there is an already existing magnetic climbing gear invented - since most similar equipment I've seen uses vacuum not magnetism. Turned out there is a brand called SpiderClimbing that does exactly that. It is designed to simulate the way Spider-Man looks when he climbs - this is why the magnets on the boots are located on the inner part of the ankles:

The explanatory video below assures that when magnet is stuck to the metallic surface it is actually quite easy to control it unsticking - simply depends on the angle of pressure:

After having found out that element of plausibility, I looked at understanding the way primitive magnets look and how they can be made, since the society I am envisioning is not advanced enough to have equipment that looks as sophisticated as the SpiderClimbing set.

This short video explains the basics of magnetism clearly:

Magnets can be found in nature or made by casting wrought iron.

Iron ore is relatively dark with a rocky texture:

Since magnetism is most often found in iron, I decided my city would be build on an exhausted iron mine. That would explain the use of material on the stilts supporting where the rich live. The thieves would climb them. This initial speed-painting communicates the idea of the interaction:

Thief climbing up the metal pillars of the city:

I made a series of sketches to explore what climbing equipment would be necessary and how it would look. Additionally to magnetic 'gloves' and 'boots', there is a safety rope with a hook cast of magnetic ore. This could also help if they climb in tandem attached together - like mountaineers. There is also a single magnet attached to the knee, as extra support in case the climber would need a break: