FV ASSIGNMENT 2B: UNTRASHED BAG

Bag Research

During the research, I am focusing on looking out for bags that gives a mood for spring/ summer playfulness. I am inspired by this bag as it has some interesting elements.

Interesting Element:

1. Racetrack shape sides
2. The bag is only connected to its left and right sides, and the centre part where the main body is wrapped around the racetrack-shaped sides
3. The patterns and texture feels like the picnic basket and is giving out a spring/ summer feel

 

Material Research

I tried to create interesting patterns from materials such as aluminium cans, jute yarn and chopsticks. The patterns are not exactly following the bag inspiration above but instead to test if the patterns could be repeated to make an interesting “fabric” for the centre body.

 

Preparation

Bag Prototype

This prototype is made with a smaller measurement:

22cm (Width) x 24cm (Height) x 10cm (wide)

Thinking about spring and summer, I actually thought about a picnic in the park or field. However, for me, a picnic means a bigger bag as there are many things to prepare or bring along. Thus I wanted to design a bag with a volume enough to fit an umbrella, lunch boxes or drinks and even an iPad. 

I created this prototype with 3 parts. 2 x racetrack-shaped cardboard and long rectangular cardboard as the central body. The 2 racetrack-shaped cardboard acted as the left and right sides of the bag. The long cardboard will wrap around three-quarters of the two sides.

Sketches

From the prototype, I realised the dimension I used is creating a long silhouette and giving the bag a more sleek feels, which is not what I am looking for. Thus I increase the width of the bag and decrease the height. In this way, the bag will turn out to be a wider rectangle and shorter, forming a more ‘cute’ aesthetics. 

Isometric, Viewpoint (measurement)

 

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Making In Process

To create a long fabric for the central body part: Crochet

After research and experimenting with material and patterns, I feel like crochet pattern form a more interesting texture. It is interesting to see the cardboard colour in between the spaces, creating a contrast between the large white colour block, making it less heavy visually. I also replace jute with plastic as it is more flexible and elastic.

1. Making plastic yarn 

Plastic yarn tutorial here

Cut the plastic bags into loop strips and tie the strips one after another to form a string. Roll the string up into yarn to use for crochet later

2. Crochet – Single crochet stitch

Crochet tutorial here 

While crocheting, the yarn may finish off and thus I have to continue making more yarn and connecting to the crocheting yarn.

3. Preparing two racetrack cardboard as a supporting frame for the bag at the sides. Holes are cut along the border to make it easier for the needle to pass through when sewing it to the central long body later.

4. Connecting the crochet plastic ‘fabric’ to cardboard. This allows the bag to stay in shape as the plastic crochet fabric is too soft to hold the shape of the bag.

5. Connecting the side to the central body. I choose to use jute to sew as it corresponds with the yellow sides and also creates an interesting contrast with the plastic texture. I double layer the jute to form a thick seamline so it adds on a more childlike aesthetic to the bag, giving it a younger aesthetic.

6. Attaching the strap and top handle, also making a button to close the bag. 

Final Bag