Category: Form and Visualization – G5

Bagbagbag

My initial idea was to basically make a sling bag. I have always been a fan of bags that allowed me to display parts of my interests so I wanted to make a version that was more sleek, rather than cutesy. The closest I could find to something less cutesy was this black bag:

Retrieved from: https://sanshee.com/products/galaxy-ita-bag

It’s called an itabag, which basically means pain bag, because everyone puts things that are relevant to their interest that some people might not particularly like.

I basically wanted a sling bag version of that.

I looked into vertical messengers, crossbody bags and barrel messengers for reference, often looking at those that were made of leather.

Retrieved from http://www.bagswish.com/544-mens-leather-messenger-bag-vertical-messenger-bags.html

I then began looking into types of bags I could make.

I had several requirements when making my bag: I wanted it to fit my A5 notebook, and have some pens that were easily reached. I also wanted to display my plushies and stuff, basically create a vinyl segment that represented me as a person (or basically because I love cute things).

And the general aesthetic of a leather bag was what I wanted to go for, something more structured and sleek that could contrast with the cute.


I planned out the various parts I needed, just like a leather bag. and tried to make the base. This was based on my knowledge of watching video after video of leather bag making.

My first attempt was then done using thick-ish yellow paper, double sided tape and UHU stick glue. The vinyl bag was done with book protector plastic.

I referenced a box pouch for the initial vinyl pouch, but realised it was very hard to flip it over with just double sided tape holding its sides (it had to be sewn). It also looked really awkward since it was a compartment that stuck out.

I also made the base way too big, and when placed along my hip, looked really funny.

 

The inside looked like this, to fit the notebook.

I realised it was a pretty tight fit, and tried to adjust it accordingly in later attempts.

Failed box pouch is failed box pouch.

My second attempt: I used a harder artcard for my material, which were leftovers from the previous semester. I stapled the sides, to represent the sewing done on a leather bag.

It ended up really boxy, but it was holding together and becoming what I wanted it to look like.

Next up was my 3rd attempt with soft black felt (1.5mm), which I sewed together using a sewing machine. Using the same methods with staplers, I used a cross-stitch and created this effect.

It looked alright, but it could not hold its form. I tried using cardboard at the bottom and was given the suggestion to glue cardboard at the back. I wanted to use foam along the sides as a decorative and safety measure so that the whole gusset would not lose its shape and stretch out too much.

I also realised that the black inside pockets could not be seen at all. I then learnt that lining was important, so that you could properly put your things into the pockets, and easily find them to take them out.

And thus, my final attempt. I used black felt again, but managed to find moulding/craft felt that was 3mm thick. I also used cardboard for the back of the bag for sturdier support, which is sandwiched between white felt that was my lining. This allowed people to easily see where the pockets were.

I sewed this piece together using the sewing machine, but also used superglue and fabric latex glue.

As the felt was sturdy enough, I was able to create a structured flap and added magnets instead of clasps like I originally wanted to. This made it oddly convenient as you only had to pull the flap in order to easily access to your notebook.

The strap was catered to a specific measurement – where on my body it as most convenient to reach for my pens and books. If it were made into a real bag, it would probably have the adjustable strap.

The white felt helped a lot: I could now see my pockets. And look my A5 notebook fits well!

The vinyl pocket was something I regretted doing last, as it was hard to sew it on on a sewing machine when the bag was so structured and hard (it did not allow space for me to bend and manipulate to fit the small area that the sewing machine had). To combine the vinyl pocket, I ended up hand-sewing the plastic on.

I also changed it into a simple shape that fit nicely against the bag, as the box pouch was too awkward.

Since the form was way sturdier than before, I decided not to add the foam since nothing stretched as much. The felt could handle the weight and maintain its own form as it is.

form & visualization // mobile phone dock

I started out unsure with what I wanted to achieve from a mobile phone dock, so I went straight into sketching. My only idea then was to use geometrical shapes, as I was into the idea of creating a look that was more pop-sy.

Initial design sketches

I asked a friend for their opinion on which designs were their favourite, ticking several which were preferred, and developed them further.

Further development

I decided to go with the organic shaped one that was based off an ocarina.

Retrieved from https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61IMhZi6noL._SL1500_.jpg

But many people also mentioned that the design was like either a lamp or a space ship. To be really honest, I agree with them, I just went with the aesthetic of an ocarina and moved from there, which I thought was interesting. I liked the way ocarinas were coloured, and that they were mostly made using ceramics, although some were made of plastics or woods, or even bone, which creates a different acoustic sound with each variation of material.

Possible dimensions to fit phone, frontal orthographic view

Orthographic top view and side view

After creating very rough sketches of my final design, I was asked to do a mini-prototype. Through this process, I wanted to try manipulating it to see how the weight would fair with such an asymmetrical design.

Created paper templates to help with cutting foam, using the designs to help determine the proportions

Next step: created base shape after much sanding. Made it very curvy, as shown in the initial design.

Some parts were not as accurate to initial design, but I decided to go with the flow because an important thing in my design was to make sure that everything was proportioned to weigh evenly.

Proceed to create markings for where I might want to cut into (for the phone to sit in, or for buttons to be placed in)

Accidentally shaved off too much at the bottom, but basically made a concave platform for phone to sit in!

Top view, as imagined from initial design.

Noted as well, some parts of original design were taken away (legs for example) because I found them not as relevant since I could make it balance with a flat bottom.

Also created some extra edges along the bottom for a not so all-rounded look.

By this point, I had a clearer idea of what I wanted to achieve for the final product. I had to make sure that the phone stand would not break off when I cut the top, and after consultation, was able to do that by cutting a whole piece off, and then sticking it back again.

A problem I encountered doing this was that after sanding, the bottom right area ended up chipping off, creating an awkward space that did not connect the two pieces together. I had to sand it down until it was an even gradient. One thing I would have changed about this was to have been more careful with cutting and sanding things. But as a first try with foam, I was rather satisfied with my product.

Colour wise, I would have chosen bright, saturated colours to those of the pop age, and use contrasting colours for the buttons.