GEOMETRIC POLYGON BACKPACK

• A backpack folded like origami.
• Geometric construction for a strong and lightweight backpack.
• Stealthy looks that follow function.

A FACETED GEOMETRIC BACKPACK

How is the iconic, geometric shaped backpack by SOLID GRAY® created? And why does it have such a stealthy and faceted look? These are questions we get a lot, so we’ll tell you a little bit more about the origin of this unique backpack.

The information in this article applies to all backpacks: the Polymer series, the Aluminium series and the Baby Polymer

HIGH TECH MATERIALS

Creating a new product can have multiple starting points. Essentially it’s a real “form follows function” story. Starting from a design exercise. Where we’ve played around with a material not commonly used to create a consumer product. As we discovered new possibilities for this material, we realized we could create something original and totally new.

We’re always very critical towards our ideas. For example, we keep asking ourselves “does that make sense”, is this a viable product from a functional point of view? These are questions we ask ourselves every step of the process as creating something just for the looks, just doesn’t cut it for us.

The custom polymer plastic we work with has the ability to form “living hinges”. (You can read more about living hinges here).

Using these material features, we were able to create with an origami-like approach. From there our goal was to use a bare minimum of material to create a backpack with maximum strength and functionality.

A GEOMETRIC BACKPACK OUT OF PAPER MODELS!

We love to work with physical models, rather than going digital right away. For example, we love to work with paper in the first steps of the process. With this in mind, this project proved to be perfectly suited to such an approach!

We’ve made hundreds of geometrical shaped paper models to find the right form. Those models give direct tactile and visual feedback. Specifically, they tell us how to cut the sheet and what forms will emerge.

The polygon look that logically followed, fitted really well. We therefore kept steering towards the stealthy geometric look for the backpack. Also making sure that features like the locks, the attachments of the straps, the hidden handle and many even smaller details made sense.

OVERWHELMING RESPONSE

Once we finalized all the details, the first run of prototypes were launched online. The following ensuing response we got from design, fashion and tech enthusiasts alike confirmed we had crafted something truly special.

From there, we’ve kept developing and fine-tuning the geometric backpack. It took more than a 100 small tweaks and 3-4 mayor updates were needed to take our original idea to where it is today!