DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
: The design comes from a desire to have a tray for my toiletries while I was traveling. I was unhappy digging through my traditional travel dopp kit which did a poor job of containing my items in an accessible way. Instead of bringing an actual tray with me traveling, we created a design that transformed into one.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
: Our main focus was functionality, but once we were able to figure out a way to construct a shape that folded into a tray and laid completely flat, we focused on a clean geometric exterior that held its shape, as well as materials that would stand up to bathroom use like water, apothecary, etc.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
: We have a glasses case with a built in cleaning cloth that is protective like a hard case but soft enough to fit in purses or pockets. Furthermore, we are expanding into home goods with plans for a knife rack and an espresso tray.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
: This concept was launched in May of 2017 but the original idea came January of that year. We released a second version with an updated zipper, new interior lining folding and edge work that constitutes our current iteration.
DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
: We currently produce all of our designs in house or with the partnership of a small production house in Los Angeles.
DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
: We are major fans of clean, minimal design. We take inspiration from everything from architecture to classic cars to jewelry. Anything that eliminates the unnecessary and focuses on balance and geometry could be something we pull from.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
: The Wanderer is for the design conscious traveler who appreciates the additional functionality of a tray, as well as desiring high quality made in the U.S. construction and materials.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
: Our single zipper that runs diagonally across The Wanderer not only provides the tray conversion functionality, but also gives it the clean, geometric shape and balance. It is the heart of the design.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
: The Wanderer is a travel accessory, and it comes from the way we like to travel. We love visiting new cities abroad and walking, taking local transportation and talking to residents of the city. The idea of "tourism" has never resonated with us. Instead, we like to wander and let the intimate experiences come to us.
DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
: We use a Juki 1541 S industrial sewing machine for all of our design, prototyping and development.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
: An early challenge was placing the zipper so that it could take its current sharp, unconventional turns. We had to upgrade to a very high quality zipper to get the kind of movement that we wanted, both seamless and functional for the user and modern for our aesthetic.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
: Cameron and Lindsey wanted to find new audiences and customers for our design brand and see how we compared to the best in the industry.
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
: It is always the micro-iterations that add up. Techniques for adjusting the pattern to make the lining sit completely flush, edge work to help the zipper turn, and interior padding to help hold the shape are all discoveries that we have carried into future designs.