We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Artpeckers about their original and creative Backpack design work. Artpeckers is an award-winning fashion designer, that makes our world a better place with their original backpack works.
Artpeckers ("Artpeckers") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Two in One Backpack. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
Artpeckers : Our philosophy is to create unique objects that can both function at their best and also be adjusted to the contemporary way of living. As a team we are interested to propose alternatives on how accessories can operate based on daily needs and aesthetics. For this reason, we came up with the Two In One backpack, a proposal for a multi functional bag. This design proposes an additional use beside the function of a backpack. More specifically it proposes a backpack with a top that can be detached and used separately as a clutch. The idea came up as a result of modern life in cities that keep people away from their homes from day to night and need to adjust their style during a day. We draw inspiration from Greek mythology and culture, so each graphic represents a symbol or a form from this field. The graphic is being used as unit for a pattern applied on fabrics.
Artpeckers : Designing Two In One backpack was an idea that emerged as a result from seeking a way for a multi functional bag. We proposed a backpack that offers enough space for all the necessary stuff and also an alternative use. By holding this bag you have a backpack and a clutch together. The backpack top functions as a pocket, when it is attached on the body, and as a clutch when it is removed. Keeping the color of the backpack bodies plain and providing with a variety of printed patterns for the top fabrics, we offer the possibility of one or multiple mix and matched combinations. Beside the function of Two In One backpack, any user may change the look of the backpack only by changing the top.
Artpeckers : We use this cut out for our collections by changing the materials depending on the weather conditions and needs of each season. We also try to add new colors and patterns. We will continue developing its potentials and working upon new materials and cut outs focusing on transformability and our general philosophy.
Artpeckers : It is a concept that has started as an idea during summer 2017. The drawing and experimental period had started in September 2017 and completed on January for our summer collection SS18. For the following collections, AW18-19 and SS19, we made some modifications, such as new fabrics, materials and patterns.
Artpeckers : It was something that came up as an idea while we were searching for our new creations. We found very interesting that this multi-functionality, occurred in its simplest way, could work smartly by offering a range of uses and styling matches to a modern female during a day.
Artpeckers : This design is exclusively produced and used by our company.
Artpeckers : We already had on mind to design a multi functional bag. Generally, our architectural background helps us to take under consideration user needs and things that may offer functionality and comfort. Based on the contemporary way of living in cities that sets people's everyday life away from their home from day to night we have sought for an adjustable accessory-bag that may be easily transformed in order to "carry" different styles and make contemporary life comfortable.
Artpeckers : The general idea of transformability has influenced our idea. We love creations, buildings that offer transformation as a means to accommodate and host more than one needs. During our research we came across a numerous of transformable designs, not only in fashion field, that we studied carefully so we could establish our own tools.
Artpeckers : The target customer is any modern female who wants to feel comfort during her day. The colors, fabrics and patterns that we use correspond to a wide age range of women.
Artpeckers : The main idea that sets this design apart from other concepts is the possibility of zipping and unzipping the backpack top. Also, this design despite the transformation from a backpack with a top to a simple backpack and a clutch, is offering to the user the possibility to make his/her own mix and match through a variety of tops. At the same time, each pattern printed on the tops is derived from drawings we have designed drawing inspiration from Greek mythology and culture, so each of them could narrate a story of the symbol it represents.
Artpeckers : The name of this design came up as a result of its function; as a backpack which carries two pieces that can work either separately or as one unit.
Artpeckers : We believe that the most unique aspect in our design is this surprising moment of detaching the top and holding two different pieces. Since the zip is hidden in the back side, the user can see a complete image of a backpack with a top-pocket. So, the moment of detaching is quite surprising, especially, when you hold two pieces that can work separately. The idea of mix and match based on users’ taste, offers an interesting aspect, especially when the printed patterns which have been designed are based on a certain concept.
Artpeckers : This cut out has been designed and produced exclusively by our team. Some technical issues were discussed later on with our technician-tailor during the production.
Artpeckers : As a team we instinctively follow an analytical methodology during design process. Both the design of the patterns and the product have a certain concept behind them and simple geometrical forms. Regarding the Two In One backpack we started our research looking for transformation techniques from a variety of fields. Then we deconstructed a bag in its utilities and started to build a new based on the elements we wanted for our concept. We ended up with a transformation that would support the detachment without any further shape modification on our basic forms.
Artpeckers : One of the main challenges was to design a bag that could offer to its user sufficient space and also an elegant appearance, at the same time. It was difficult to combine these two types of bags in order to have a consistent result and simultaneously suit best in different appearances through day. Furthermore, the mix and match idea added an additional parameter that needed further research on color combination and matching.
Artpeckers : Participating in an international design competition offers you the opportunity to rank your work among other designers’. It is really motivating to pose your work into a competition, as you see how the same aspect is reached by different designers among the world. It is also always truly useful to be judged by professionals as they take aware of multiple criteria that a design have to fulfill. Furthermore, it is a great means to communicate your work to the international audience and get known to a wider range of people. So one of the major reasons we decided to participate in this competition was to find out if our aspect matters and in which degree in the contemporary design standards.
