The Bag Project – Soft Goods Assignment

For this assignment, we are to create an object out of soft material, like fabrics, but make the prototype using paper. So I had the idea of creating something that would be useful for my profession as a designer.

Deciding on the product

Before actually getting into the technicality and the actual making and sketching, I would have to decide on what to make first. I would want to make a bag, but there are many types and for different purposes.

I thought of making a box-shaped bag as that is a common type of bag that I see being carried by designers.

Another common bag that I see is the tote bag, which is convenient for designers, but when it comes to weight, it gets a little heavy on the tote bag for one shoulder or one arm to carry.

There was also an idea of making a form of the bandolier, which is something that the military would use to carry bullets and ammo, but instead of carrying those, this bandolier would be carrying designer or artist tools, like drawing pens or pencils, and a compartment for the smaller stuff. But then I would think that it could be a bit over the top and unnecessary.

So I decided to stick to the first idea which is the box-shaped bag as I think that would be the most practical to make.

Getting started

Now that I have the idea of the bag in my mind, I would then start to list the things that could be featured in the bag design. These things would be useful for the user of the bag – useful for the designer using the bag.

Parts of the bag:
  • laptop slot
  • EZlink card holder/slot
  • thumbdrive slot
  • A4/A4 sketchbook size
  • A2/A3 roll holder
  • penknife/cutter slot
  • pen holder
  • bottle slot
  • ruler slot

(These are just initial ideas. Some of these ideas get scrapped over time)

I also started to play around and reconfirming the main shape of the bag. How it is closed and how it is going to open up. So I decided to make the main body of the bag able to open up bigger for easier accessibility of the user.

Exploring the different parts

After listing down the different compartments needed, I start working on them.

Laptop slot

The biggest and main slot would be the laptop slot. Here I try to list down and sketch out the different ways the compartment or the laptop could be kept in the bag.

I chose to stick with the inner laptop slot compartment as it would be safer for the laptop.

Bag flap and closure

With the box-shaped bag in mind, it comes with the flap. So here I try to explore the different types of closure for the flap, like magnetic snaps and hook & eye.

I decided to use the hook & eye method as I would think that the magnetic snaps would wear off after a while and it would be hard to connect the snaps together under the flap.

Straps

Here I was exploring the bag straps, with my horrible sketches. But it is mainly to see how it would look like.

A2/A3 holder

Here I try to see which is the better way to place the A3/A2 paper holder. I was taking into consideration the fact that the bag’s main body can be opened wider. So when that happens, the sides are affected, so the material of the holder would need to be stretchable.

Re-finalising the final look

Now with most of the different compartments and parts finalised, I would redraw the final look so that anything that I was to add on from there is based on this look.

More compartments and parts

With the final look refreshed, I added in more compartments and parts

Additional slot & EZlink card holder

These ideas didn’t make it to the final look, but it was some of the initial ideas I sketched out.

Stationaries slot

Some other slots that I included are sketched out.

Final look

With all the compartments checked off the list, I finally came up with the final look for the bag.

I do keep in mind that the look of the bag might change as I am making the bag.


Making the bag

With the final look sketched out, I can finally start making the bag.

Smaller-scale prototype

Before I make the prototype out of the real intended material, I made a simple paper prototype of a smaller scale to see how I am to make the bag if it is in a fuller scale, see if the different parts of the bag can actually work when put together and also to have a physical feel of the model in my hands.

The “real” prototype

I would finally get to start making the prototype using the intended materials, which is black recycled paper. I chose this material as it has a similar matte look to the REAL material that would have been used which is black leather.

I would start off by making the main body of the bag. However, the paper material is still much thinner than the synthetic leather so I had to double up the paper so that it will be much stiffer and stronger.

I would cut out the main shape of the bag first. As the bag can be opened wider at the top for easier access of the contents, the sides of the bag are cut slanted where it gets wider towards the top.

For the width of the bag, I just used the measurements of a 15 inch MacBook and added a few centimetres to it so that I would know that it could fit such a device and also that there is no problem when it comes putting in a 13-inch version.

Initially, the bag was too thick when I put all 4 sides together and it looked like those bags carried by the food deliverymen. So I disassembled the bag and trimmed a few centimetres off for the sides.

With the main body of the bag confirmed, I would start adding the different compartments of the bags inside before I seal off all 4 sides of the bag. There was also trial and error for this as the first compartments that I made were too tight for the objects so I had to make the compartments thicker or wider. Some compartments also have a similar method with the bag itself where it can be opened wider at the top so to have easy access to the contents.

As for the straps, I find this the most challenging as the straps have to be easily wearable compared and at the same time won’t look too floppy or long when being worn. Since it is only a prototype, the mechanism of the bag is not implemented yet.

For the hook and eye method, I double up the hook and eye so that it will be stronger. but the read material for the hook would be using metal.

Final Outcome

Even though the final bag looks a little different from the sketches and has its minor flaws here and there, I am still pretty happy with it. I actually had the intention of making into a real bag with real materials, but I think I would just ruin it as I don’t think I have the right skills for making a bag. Would be cool though!

Types of Bag Fastening and Closure

Zippers

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Types of standard zippers

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Invisible zipper

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Difference between open and closed end zippers

  • Open-end can have the two sides separated (eg, jackets)
  • Closed-end still attached at the bottom (eg, jeans)
Image result for 2-way zipper

Two-way zippers

  • Two-way open zippers can be opened from the bottom and top, and can also be separated. The function of both open and closed zippers
  • ‘O’ type zippers split in the middle
  • ‘X’ type zippers split at the ends
  • ‘R’ type zippers have functions of ‘O’ and ‘X’ just that it cant be separated

Image result for bag zippers

Normally placed at the top part of the bag where you want it to close.


Magnetic Snaps

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Magnetic snap

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Normally place on a flap, with one on each side.


Hook and Loop

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Standard hook and loop, also called hook and loop

Usage
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Hook and loop for clutches

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Hook and loop strap, to hold something together or join a flap together.


Twist & Lock

Image result for twist and lock bag

Standard metal twist and lock

Usage of twist and lock

Image result for twist and lock bag


Side Release Buckle

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Standard side release buckle

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Modern side release buckle

Usage of side release buckles
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Over the bag flap

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Under the bag flap


Drawstring

Image result for drawstring bag

Standard drawstring bag


Buckles

Image result for bag buckles

Normally comes with a magnetic snap

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‘Hidden’ buckle style

Usage
Image result for buckle bags

Double buckle style with a magnetic snap


Hook & Eye

Image result for hook and eye

Standard hook and eye

 

Image result for hook and eye bags

Mechanism style

 

Image result for hook and eye bags

Normally seen in pants


Buttons

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Flat buttons

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Toggle buttons

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Shank buttons

Usage
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Usage of flat buttons

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Usage of flat buttons


Tuck lock

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Usage
Image result for tucklock bags

Sometimes comes with a locking system

Mobile Phone Dock and Speaker

The assignment is to create a phone dock that also has a speaker function. So as usual, before I start on the model itself, I went to look for inspiration and ideas.

Some ideas and inspirations

A dock with a clock element added to it (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/72409506488637032/)

Amplifier style

I was leaning towards making an amplifier instead of a speaker as I think that it would be more practical and I could see myself making it, rather than a speaker which is more technical with all the wiring.

A wooden phone dock that also acts as an amplifier (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/134052526387512858/)

An amplifier where the sound goes to the side instead of the front (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/450641506447976288/)

Early Sketches

So I started sketching my first ideas, for both the normal speakers and the amplifier kind.

These are some of my early sketches, but they basically look like some random basic shapes that just functions as a speaker and dock. They look very normal and probably already been mass produced before.

My idea of all these early sketches is to get these out of my mind first. Normally these ideas are very normal and what first comes to mind when approaching a brief. Most of the ideas are probably average and not much thought comes into it.

Sketches Development

I have decided to go with the last amplifier idea but I was still configuring the shape and size of the object. I have also decided to make it more angular instead of rounded as I think that it is more interesting.

I think that my first development looks good however I think that the model is too wide and short, and at the same time is it too low in my own opinion. So I decided to make those improvements in my next development.

The Process