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 ExecTech 

Prompt

Each student will be responsible for researching, designing, and constructing their own unique bag design for a specific customer and market of their choice, using designated fabrics and various support materials, findings & trims. Students will document their development process and present both their process and their finished bag to the class in a final presentation at the end of the semester. Each student’s development process will include trend & style research, competitive shopping analysis, inspiration board development, customer profiling, sketching, paper prototype construction, pattern development, muslin prototypes, and final product creation. Students are expected to heavily document in both writing and with photography their complete design & development process. Professional photos of finished bag designs will be taken upon completion.

 Research 

Goal

Create a bag for an executive technician position for my dad. A bag with a better balance between laptop bag style and tool bag style.

Step 1: Identify Trends

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Step 2: Competitive Shopping and Benchmarking

Things Sold/Used with Bag Type

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Key Features

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Step 3: Identifying Aspirational Brands

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Step 4: Customer Research

Lead AV Technician/Designer in his 40s working at an American multinational technology company. He's looking for a new bag to use at work that fits his new leadership role. He wants to carry the necessary tools along with his electronics. He's tried multiple different types of bags and hasn't had luck. Laptop bags don't have the pockets for tools and tool bags are too bulky and have too many pockets.

 Jason Tenny 

Items List

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 Inspiration Board 

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 Ideation 

Stage 1

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Pocket Planning

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Business Cards

Laptop Compartment

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Inside Front Flap

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Tool Panel

Stage 2

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Refined Rendering

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 Paper Prototypes 

Notes after critique:

  • Should the laptop section open differently?

  • Do the tools and laptop get used at the same time?

  • Bag needs to be 1-2” wider so there is room inside for side pockets?

  • Would they be better on the outside?

  • Should the bag be a little shorter? Can it be?

  • What is the best method for tool pockets?

  • Add luggage sleeve

  • Figure out exact measurements

  • Figure out how panel attaches and how it is removed

  • Round the corners?

  • Figure out placement of everything

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Paper Prototype 1

Paper Prototype 2

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Notes after critique:

  • Bag was too large (too wide)

  • Maybe inside side pockets is a bad idea

  • I prefer how the back compartment opens

 Muslin Prototypes 

Muslin Prototype 1

Notes after critique:

  • Learned a lot about the order of sewing

  • Sewing bag shut was not easy 

  • Decided that straps could be sewn right to the back of the bag

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Muslin Prototype 2

Notes after critique:

  • Left all spots with zippers unsewn (bag has no structure at all)

  • Sewed tool panel pockets wrong

    • Figured out a new method for the next prototype

  • Figure out a neater method to sew the back padding on

 Felt Prototypes 

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Felt Prototype 1

Notes after critique:

  • Need to get zippers that are the right length

  • Figure out a better way to sew in the center panel

  • Pay attention to the order everything is sewn together

  • Make changes to patterns

    • Lengthen handle

    • Make back padding .5” smaller

    • Make side panel one piece and cut strips into it to add zippers (gusset concept)

    • Add seam allowance for zippers

    • Make side pocket with gusset

    • Add panel with computer slot

    • Add patches to connect panel to bag

    • Make strap triangles

    • Get snaps and plan location

    • Measure a water bottle and redo pocket

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Felt Prototype 2

Notes after critique:

  • Need to figure out a way to sew cleaner seams

  • Side pocket is too large and mistakenly has an infinity zipper

  • Top row of tool pockets is too short

  • Make front one piece and create welt pockets

  • Try hand sewing center panel on

  • Sew center panel to the cardboard bottom (center panel pulls forward with the fabric)
     

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 Final 

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Notes while making bag:

  • Added a top welt pocket with a division to the side panel for airpods and computer mouse

  • Refined edges (folded edges over to sew clean edges)

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Notes for the Future:

  • Figure out a better way to attach bottom to front and back flaps

  • Figure out a better way to sew in the center panel

  • Change division in top side pocket

  • Sew top buckles further back under the handle

  • Make bag out of a material like duck cloth

  • Figure out connection between center panel and tool panel (flush mount brackets?)

 Orthographic 

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ET-AV

ET-Electric

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Front

Back

Left

Right

Inside Flaps

Tool Panel

Laptop Compartment

Tool side of Center Panel

Tool Panel Back

 Tech Pack 

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Click Image to Access Full Tech Pack PDF

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