The gap I've chosen is a way to store my umbrella in my purse while absorbing excess water from it so that I can take it out again and use it without dripping too much.

 I've personally experienced this. The Philippines has only two seasons: the summer season and the rainy season. During the rainy season, it's really such a hassle to keep opening my umbrella, folding it, wet and disorganized, and stuffing it into my purse when I get into a train and then opening it again, wet and dripping, when I get off the train. I'm sure I'm not the only person who feels this way in the Philippines. I can easily find five people whom I can meet face-to-face, friends or office mates, who have the same problem...particularly women. I can definitely imagine creating/ designing an artifact for this in the next eight weeks. This gap can be addressed by an artifact in a domain that interests me personally: physical product as well as accessory. 

This physical product, the iPad Mini (photographed in black & white using one of my favorite apps on iOs, Snapseed) is one of the best things that I use every day. It's a joy to use. I can do a lot of things with it: plan my life, take gorgeous photos, read books, create posters for my daily affirmations and teach my kids (using fun apps or the browser). The size is just right for reading books and for mobility (I can stuff it in my purse and take it anywhere). It's aesthetically pleasing and extremely useful for both recreation and productivity.