Who are you: tell us a little backstory about yourself?

My name is Leander Angerer. I was born and raised in the Bavarian Alps. My mom is a master in pottery and my dad an artist. Spending time outdoors, be it mountain biking, hiking or skiing or in my parents’ workshops heavily influenced my life and my interests.

Through studying Design in Dessau (Germany) and at Central Saint Martins in London for an MA I have honed my interest in design. Especially in London where I examined the contrast between urban and rural life for my MA project, as well as for me personally I found my take on design – mostly product design.

After having worked as a designer for hardware at VAUDE GmbH, focusing on backpacks, sleeping mats etc., I have now developed RACING ATELIER as a studio providing Rucksack#1 as my own product and design services as a freelance designer to clients.

What are the origins of Racing Atelier?

RACING ATELIER originates from a history in MTB racing together with my older brother Leonhard. Racing on a professional level meant spending a lot of time in the workshop. At some point we called our workshop the RACING ATELIER. Since then, anything that was created in our workshop, be it for fun, purely for personal interest or commercial is labelled with RACING ATELIER. It only seems natural to use this name for the studio for professional work. Leonhard works as a designer as well and is still heavily involved in the RACING ATELIER, especially developing the more technical things we need like our custom aluminium tension locks or lid closures. Also in regards to prototyping and tooling Leonhard’s experience as an industrial designer plays an important role when we develop our products.

You guys work exclusively in the Bavarian Alps, right? How does ‘place’ influence your work?

Leonhard lives and works in Northern Germany. Yes, I live and work in Oberammergau, a small village of 5000 residents in the Bavarian Alps. These places influence our work on various levels. Most obviously and heavily by the surrounding nature. Whenever possible I spend time outdoors hiking, biking or skiing – this is always inspiring and brings projects forward. Another influence is cost of living: out here in the countryside it is possible to afford my own workshop, which is crucial to how I work. It helps me develop projects and manufacture Rucksack#1 for example. Having less financial pressure also means more freedom for trial and error. On another level, I ask myself whether being ‘out here’ in the mountains hones my personal style rather than being exposed to trends in the city (and following these trends) – an answer is yet to be found.

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“Out here in the countryside it is possible to afford my own workshop, which is crucial to how I work. Having less financial pressure also means more freedom for trial and error.”

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What experiences led up to the design of the Rucksack#1?

Rucksack#1 started purely from a personal interest. We’ve always been interested in making objects and have made our own since 2013, I think. It started off quite crude and simple, but since then has constantly been refined and developed. I learned that with small details such as tension locks, cord stoppers etc., it is possible to create a different, very interesting product. Since then this has always been in focus and is the reason why we make the effort of developing our own hardware.

Traveling between London and the mountains at home informed the idea of the backpack ‘just being a backpack’. Intentionally I did not want to prescribe it to any sort of use or landscape. It is neither urban nor purely functional – it is ‘just a backpack’. In the same way it borrows elements from both worlds: functional aspects like fit and good distribution of weight in its shoulder straps or aesthetic values, which may be seen as more of an urban influence…

Did you consider any other materials before landing on Dyneema and leather?

It was early on that I got interested in the combination of leather and Dyneema, which was called Cuben Fiber back then and very hard to get over here in Germany. Looking for a certain aesthetic, I considered leather and Dyneema to be perfect partners – functionally and due to their quality. Over time I have learned even more what a great material leather is and developed the interest to bring out its functional qualities even more. Leather is very durable – it can be very soft or stiff and hard. This means one material (leather) can be used for various applications. As leather is “grown” and does not have a woven structure (such as most other materials) it can be shaped and folded without creasing. For example our shoulder straps show this construction where the inner layer of leather is wrapped to the outside in an inside and outside curved shape. The result is a comfortable and smooth edge of the strap. Another important functional quality of leather is the way it reacts to the user’s “climate” – given it is vegetable tanned and natural: when sweating the leather does not become hot, itchy or sticky to the body. It rather adopts similar temperatures and being point-blank feels even cooling to the body. These qualities have somewhat been forgotten, but perfectly match what I am looking for.

In regards to the leather work, the backpack took another leap when I got my close friend Jakob Pauli involved. Jakob is a master in saddle making and knows more about leather than anybody else I have met before. This heavily informed the functional aspects of the leather work – this is mostly apparent in the shoulder straps. Envisioning the shoulder strap with the wrapped construction (as explained above), it was Jakob’s experience in sewing and workmanship that brought it to a level that we can manufacture in multiples without compromising on quality and the comfortable fit we wanted to achieve.

What are some of the design and usability challenges you hoped to tackle with this pack?

The major design challenge was to develop the backpack to a state that I can comfortably make more than just a one-off. As a product designer I really wanted it to be a product that is manufactured in numbers – not many obviously, but small batches. That meant a constant revising of the pattern and workmanship and trying to maintain aesthetic and functional qualities I was after.

Another challenge was that I am very particular about how the bag is sold and made. This led to me sitting on the sewing machine and sewing myself…

From a designer’s perspective, what is the relationship between ‘craft’ and ‘innovation’? How does the Rucksack#1 address that?

I guess this relates to my very personal approach to design or my way of working. I need the physical, real experience with the product or project at hand. Only that way I can fully understand the product or project from initial idea to concept and then a final design – if ever a design can be called ‘final’. In that sense craft is a means to help me understand the project/product. In my opinion innovation requires that deep insight and understanding. The products I work on are mostly ‘low-tech’. Rather than ‘designed innovation’ it actually develops/is born within the process when developing. The way I work that maybe means: the less ‘tech’ or functional a product is, the more important it is to fully understand the product and all factors like use, materiality, manufacturing and design. The way Rucksack#1 addresses the relationship between ‘craft’ and ‘innovation’ is mostly the way we use leather relying on its functional qualities – also as a partner to the Dyneema Composite Fabric which is said to be the lightest, yet strongest material out there. Therefore how the two materials complement one another is not only functional but made visible on an aesthetic/design level (rather than Rucksack#1 being a ‘heritage product’).

What are the biggest challenges of working at such a small scale; what are the rewards?

Probably the biggest challenge is making everything ourselves. Not only developing, designing and manufacturing, but then also to market and sell it. It is not easy to find the balance between all the factors and trying to be an expert in all relevant aspects. At the same time that means I really learn a lot in the course of that project.

Also that the industry does not really cater for small-scale businesses. It does not always make it easy to access materials etc. But with having our own hardware and a good tannery we now have a solid small list of suppliers.

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“The major design challenge was to develop the backpack to a state that I can comfortably make more than just a one-off. That meant a constant revising of the pattern and workmanship and trying to maintain aesthetic and functional qualities I was after.”

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Without having to compromise Rucksack#1 is just the way it should be – achieving this is a huge reward – but at the same time sometimes this means going through some pain as well.

Another reason why working at such small scale is possible is that Rucksack#1 and other products in the near future are only one part of RACING ATELIER. The other part is offering design services to clients – especially as the well equipped workshop perfectly caters for prototyping etc.

Who else is making stuff right now that you love?

Difficult to find an answer: so many people and companies make great stuff and I cannot really pick anyone specific. As I am really interested in the materiality, look and feel of a product and how it is made I rather pick up details than products as a whole. Manufacturing products myself, I always try to understand how a specific design is achieved in a process of (mass-)manufacturing. I really react to how a design is made tactile: how material properties, functional requirements and proportions (design: measurements, size, colour, construction) come to use and first draw my eye, then my fingers to touch the product. Small companies and makers catch my interest, not only for their product, but also because it appears there is more scope for individuality in their approach and business. Naturally I really enjoy well made outdoor gear – which besides using it also is always a great source of inspiration. Also art, arts and crafts, and fashion are very important creative inputs and necessary to my life.

To name a few I go back to my first visit to Japan many years ago: companies like and wander, Snow Peak or Hender Scheme were little known over here and were therefore heavily inspiring back then and I got really interested in small Japanese companies. Today my interest is more global – I feel there are small companies or makers everywhere. Currently I am interested in the US: I think there are a lot more small companies and makers left or emerging than over here. I want to visit OR show for companies like CiloGear or others, but also would like to travel around and dive deeper into this aspect of US culture.

What is next for Racing Atelier?

One of the major goals of RACING ATELIER has always been to share our passion and interest in designing and making things with others. It is an ongoing venture to make RACING ATELIER known for a few thoughtfully created products as well as a design studio sharing expertise and experience with others – be it in a product or a design project.

For product in the near future next is to have a few other products besides Rucksack#1 – for example will there be a mountain version of Rucksack#1. Just as with Rucksack#1 any product that comes next has to reflect our interest/take on design and reflect the ethos of RACING ATELIER.

For now thank you very much for your interest and time!

Follow Racing Atelier on Instagram

This interview was conducted by new contributor, Bradley Woody; itinerant illustrator, minimalist, and long-time carry geek. Welcome to the team, Bradley!

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What key insights drive your brand?

Well-made leather products shouldn’t have to cost a fortune.

Luxury brands put crazy-high price tags on their leather bags, in part to cover their enormous costs (think fancy Fifth Ave real estate, elaborate ad campaigns, unprofitable apparel lines), and in part because many consumers are willing to pay for status and exclusivity. 10x and 20x markups are not uncommon in an industry where 4-5x is the norm.

But a lot of people want to buy for design and quality rather than for a feeling of exclusivity. And they don’t want to overpay for it. Those are the people who we are serving.

“Well-made leather products shouldn’t have to cost a fortune.”

We’re trying to upend the traditional luxury model by selling products with the finest materials and craftsmanship, directly to our customers. That allows us to cut out a lot of unnecessary cost, allowing us to sell our products at much more reasonable prices. And we don’t mark up our products just because.

At the end of the day, Linjer is about making fine leather goods more accessible. It’s nearly impossible to find a finely crafted, full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather briefcase for less than $500 anywhere else.

Who else is doing great things in the world of carry and why do you think they’re important?

I love Rimowa, the German suitcase manufacturer. Rimowa suitcases were actually my first big investment as a working adult. I think they’ve found a really nice balance of form and function. The design is distinctive and the suitcases are just a pleasure to use. My Rimowa carry-on (I have a Salsa Deluxe) gets me excited to travel even if I’m dreading whatever awaits me on the other side of the flight. It’s like this raincoat that I have that gets me excited whenever it rains (and I hate the rain!). That feeling is really powerful, and I hope that our products have this effect on others.

Are there any things other brands do that you think are great or could be improved?

“We’re trying to upend the traditional luxury model by selling products with the finest materials and craftsmanship, directly to our customers. That allows us to cut out a lot of unnecessary cost…”

What single product are you most proud of and why?

“Hardware is very under-appreciated; the shape, thickness, and finish have such a huge impact on the personality of the product.”

We have a lot in store! We are launching a new collection in the next couple of weeks, including a highly-requested holdall and bags for women. We’re also preparing to expand into other categories. You’ll have to sign up for our newsletter to learn more.

What do you personally carry daily and how?

I’mpretty low-maintenance. I carry what I need to get through a day of work (every day is a work day as an entrepreneur ) and not much more.

• Linjer tote – bright navy milled
• Linjer name card holder
• Linjer vertical wallet
• Earphones
• Baron Fig notebook
• Uniball pen
• Laptop sleeve handmade by me
• MacBook Air
• Sketch book

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What key insights drive your brand?

There are a few keywords we associate with our brand: unique, masculine, urban lifestyle.

Unique design is very important for us, especially a small brand like ours. There are a lot of bags in the world market, so we have to design unique ones for survival. We don’t have enough budget for marketing, so our marketing is just design. That’s why we show upgraded versions every year. It’s also for survival. We want to continuously evolve so our brand will have durability.

“Unique design is very important for us, especially a small brand like ours. There are a lot of bags in the world market, so we have to design unique ones for survival.”

Second, our concept is masculine. It is the base of our design. Material, shape, color…we alway think about masculine style because basically we are a man’s bag brand so most of our customers are guys.

Lastly, we design our bags for customers who live an urban lifestyle. We want our products to permeate their lifestyle.

Who else is doing great things in the world of backpacks and why do you think they’re important?

I can’t choose just one or two brands. There are many great brands and backpacks. Côte&Ciel is one of my favorites. Their bags are very unique. They are good at making natural forms with fabric that are a really good match with apparel.

I also love BROOKS and Hard Graft. Their bags are true to purpose. Also they handle their material really nicely.

Every single brand has their own concept. I respect it.

Are there any things other brands do that you think are great or could be improved?

YURT, a Korean brand. They use vegetable-tanned leather and their bags are unique and high quality. The bags’ structures are simple but beautiful in shape. When I see those bags, I feel that they know about bag processing, so their design is efficient.

I actually studied handling leather for a while at their studio because I want to use leather more when I design our bags. They combine design and master craftsmanship.

“Every single brand has their own concept. I respect it.“

Most of our bags are for men, so when women want my recommendation I recommend YURT bags or HENRY BEGUELIN.

I think only some brands have their own sensibility of what is great. I think HENRY BEGUELIN and YURT are two of them.

What single product are you most proud of and why?

It’s the HEXA backpack. The HEXA was released in 2011 and this backpack made our style, our design base. Also it’s our flagship model and until now the best-selling model. It doesn’t have special storage or space, but enough to carry your essentials and a laptop.

Basically many people think that a bag is more a functional thing than cloth and they tend to put too much weight on the function. We give weight to the style and we can find another solution. I think a bag isn’t just a functional piece of kit. It is also a style item.

What’s next for RIOKAIRYU?

We are getting ready for rebranding this year. We have a few separate divisions. A more popular and inexpensively priced division, a more unique and reasonably priced divison and the last division for things we want to showcase.

“I think a bag isn’t just a functional piece of kit. It is also a style item.“

Our brand is restarting now. We will reform the real brand and we have to study more.

What do you personally carry daily and how?

Usually I use a small bag…it’s a pouch. I love to drive, so I just need a pouch. It is enough for me. I put big things in the car. Inside the pouch is nothing special, just a schedule note and document with a small pen and pencil, and I carry an iPhone too.

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Can you tell us a little about Helinox and where TERG fits in? 

 

What key insights drive your stuff?

What’s next for you guys?

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1. What key insights drive your stuff?

2. Who else is doing rad things in the world of carry and why do you think they’re important?

3. Are there any things other brands do that you think are great or could be improved?

4. What’s next for you?

5. What do you carry daily and how?

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Carry giveaway

Jonesing for some suave camera carry of your own? Well you’re in luck, as HoldFast is giving away one rad Ruck Strap. The camera strap features a classy combination of duck canvas and leather and carries more than just your camera – cash, cards, film rolls, batteries and pens are just some of the items you can haul with this versatile strap. Visit the competition landing page to find out how to enter.

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What key insights drive your stuff?

Our key insight is an observation of people we see and meet every day who actually use a bag on a daily basis. A bag was invented to make human life simply better and easier to carry things and this is a substantial reason for its being. We strive to find small details to make an improvement with things we use.

Who else is doing rad things in the world of carry and why do you think they’re important?

Trunkster is one of the greatest inventions ever in the carry world. It is strictly designed and invented to be user-centered which provides very necessary functions such as a digital scale so it can weigh itself, a GPS system to indicate the location and zipperless entry which allows access even in the most constricted space. It is important that Trunkster actually opened a new era of carry in internet of things technology.

Are there any things other brands do that you think are great or could be improved?

I think SOOT with their Electropack is a really cool brand that makes their product very practical. Their bag can be separated into units for different purposes of use or combined into one big carry-on to carry more or larger items. And it carries a rechargeable battery which provides power at any place and any time as needed. The Electropack is such a great bag and I can’t wait to see their next step.

What single product are you most proud of and why?

The Carrybag series is what I cherish the most because this bag is what makes Monofold possible today. I wanted to design a practical bag that can be used in different places and in different ways and so the Carrybag series was born.

What’s next for you guys?

We must foresee the future to see today. The world is changing fast and so is our lifestyle. Our mission is to forecast what is to come so we can provide better carrying solutions according to the change in consumer demands today.

What do you carry daily and how?

I carry different prototypes to experience the product. It is absolutely important that the product meets the expectation of consumers not only in design but most importantly in functionality and practicality. A bag must be comfortable to use and safe to carry belongings in under any circumstances, no matter what, and it is our responsibility to complete that task.

Itemised List:

City Carrybag Cool Grey / MacBook 13″/ Wireless Mouse / Monofold Neo Sleeve 13″ Cool Grey / Drawing Note / Bottega Veneta Wallet / Mini Cooper S car key / AIAIAI TMA-1 Headphone / Magazines / Ruler / Leatherman Multi-Tool

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Could you share your brand background with us?

The brand was created by Alex Lehnerer and me on our quest to find the ideal travel companion. We are friends, frequent travelers, product manager and designer and have known each other since our teens in Germany. I did pursue a business career of more than 10 years with adidas living in Germany, Asia and Switzerland before finally moving to Berlin and founding Bagagiste.

Alex, an architect and urban designer, is currently a Professor of Architecture and Urban Design at the ETH University in Zurich, Switzerland. In 2014 he was responsible for the German contribution to the 14th Architecture Biennale: Bungalow Germania.

What key insights drive your stuff?

When you travel you need a perfect companion. One that does not get on your nerves and that you like to look at, speaking in terms of bags, one that unites functionality and design. By combining a suitcase and a bag we are bringing these two worlds together: the suitcase as a bag.

Functional and sophisticated on the inside, while durable and essential on the outside – we developed a new form, defined by minimalistic design. Our design mantra: improve the detail, but keep it simple.

How could we ensure the functionality of a carabiner to attach the shoulder strap, yet improve its design? Most of the shoulder straps and the carabiner on regular bags still look like horse gear from the last century. The bag industry is already far too long stuck with heritage-inspired styles. We created a simple lay flat, yet secure loop-and-buckle solution for all of our bags.

How could we ensure the functionality of a suitcase handle without making the bag look like a bulky, heavy suitcase? We designed a functional leather handle for our bags that disappears completely under the pleat and is only visible when in use. Functionality meets elegance.

Who else is doing rad things in the world of carry and why do you think they’re important?

Back in the 1950s Rimowa came up with their iconic aluminium design. At that time they were very innovative and entered a new level of bag design. Their minimalistic and functional approach is still valid and inspiring today.

Another brand that makes product design exciting these days is Côte & Ciel. I like their functional yet creative designs – very French which makes me feel at home, since my roots are in Paris, too.

What single product are you most proud of and why?

Our 48h-weekender with its “kissing zip style flaps” – as you said – its space and capacity on the inside and its unpretentious elegance on the outside. We love this bag. It is the mother of our brand.

What’s next for you guys?

We have a 48h-bag and 24h-bag, so obviously our next step will be the 12h-bag – to close the circle and eventually give men their handbag. Let’s fight against bulky trouser pockets and heavy jackets.

What do you carry daily?

I carry the Bagagiste 24h-bag – since I want to know where I could possibly improve or change our product. I take it for daily trips around Germany and for long work days in Berlin. The bag always allows you to bring a little extra along that might not fit into a regular office bag or messenger.

– Bagagiste 24h-bag (blue)

– ‘The Western Town’: a book about the architecture of Western towns by Alex Lehnerer

– Original Swiss army knife

– Montblanc fountain pen

– Key ring

– Scarf

– Bagagiste hangtag and flyer

– Highsnobiety magazine

– Baby rattle (always good to have within reach)

– Concert tickets for Chilly Gonzales

– Bagagiste laptop sleeve (part of the 24h-bag)

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What key insights drive your stuff?

Innovation. Trying to fulfill needs and solve problems that we are encountering and/or others haven’t addressed. It’s more fun and exciting for us to try and make something new. We like to invent and problem solve, and coming from a fine art background inventing is the most fun for me.

Who else is doing rad things in the world of carry and why do you think they’re important?

Well it seems like much of the bag game has actually matured a lot in the past few years along with men’s fashion, so most everyone is an ingredient in the steaming pie of radness and part of the evolution. For me, sometimes it’s less about a brand than a particular bag, detail, or design.

Some people might roll their eyes but the recent Louis Vuitton collaboration had some fun and interesting concepts at play. Those pieces are obviously working with different goals than we are. I particularly liked Rei Kawakubo’s cut up tote. And how can you not love Karl Lagerfeld’s punching bags? I am an artist as well, so I like the weird and the critical.

Are there any things other brands do that you think are great or could be improved?

I’ve used the large Ortlieb messenger backpack for a long time, long before I ever had the idea to start a bag brand. That bag is a real workhorse and I’ve put that bag through hell and it’s held up pretty well for all the abuse. I can’t say my shoulders, back, or neck has appreciated it or held up as well though.

Everyone has room to improve, even the great ones. The challenge is always the right mix of craft, material and cost. And there are limits to the materials themselves. There are always trade-offs depending on your goals and audience.

The biggest thing is that everyone has different needs and uses for their bags, so we try to keep ours open and simple and not prescribe how it should be used or what goes where.

I will say that the most elegant and interesting closures can be found in women’s handbags.

What’s next for you guys?

We’re always thinking about how to improve our current products and we have new ideas for bags and accessories in the hopper. Obviously, we can’t reveal anything, but for now we just want to keep trying to make something different, clever, and useful.

What do you carry daily and how?

Muji pen/pencil combo – My favorite writing tool. Not expensive and the mechanical pencil tip can retract so no puncturing bags or flesh. I prefer writing and drawing in pencil. I like the resistance and how it slows down everything. The pen is good for everything else like signing checks.

Muji notepads – They are thin and the right size for your pocket and have a nice durable cover. I prefer the stitched/stapled kinds because they can take more abuse and still open and close unlike spiral bound. The red is for art/writing and the navy is for the brand.

Muji pouch – It’s good for containing all the essentials and easy to transfer to other bags.

Keys and carabiner – Every day before I close my front door I repeat the mantra “cell phone, keys, metro card.” Right now I have three sets of keys: the apartment, the studio, and the Center for Book Arts where I am also an artist in residence.

Winter Check wallet – It is minimal and keeps the wallet as thin as possible. Particularly useful now that pants are so fitted. I wish I had invented this.

Tape measure and multi-tool – I don’t use it that often, but when I need it it’s been very useful. The multi-tool was from my niece, but I think her parents bought it and she just gave it to me. I also knew the actual guy from the film 127 Hours. Knock on wood.

iPhone headphones – I listen to a lot of podcasts. There’s a lot of knowledge and wisdom out there for the taking and easy to listen to while doing other stuff with your hands. The red cord holder was also from my niece, but again I think it was her parents. Another great idea.

White jade necklace – It is the only piece of jewelry I have ever worn. My mother gave it to me when I turned 18. I only ever took it off to replace the necklace, which used to be a red string until I nearly lost it for a second time. Now it is on titanium, simple, easy, and strong.

Leather wallet – It contains my metro card and business cards. My good friend Shu made it for me when I visited her in London while she was studying to be an accessories designer. I love items that have a real story.

Ear plugs – I’ve just recently realized how sensitive I am to noise when I sleep and how much better I sleep with ear plugs. I bring these everywhere so I don’t have to remember them when I don’t sleep at home.

Tack Sling – This is our newest tote that converts to a backpack. People wanted a smaller and more compartmentalized bag. It has a center open sling that’s great for carrying larger packages and other odd-shaped or dirty things that all us city folk have to randomly carry in a day.

Reading material – I always bring something to read on the train, whether it’s a good book, magazine, or the New York Times. It helps calm me and it’s a good use of idle time on the subway, especially when it’s late at night or delayed. I still like paper. It can’t break, it’s easy on the eyes, and no one wants to rob me for it.

Mints – We have all sat down with someone with butt mouth on occasion and I don’t want to be that guy. Bad breath is very distracting.

Tissues – I think the reasons are obvious.

iPhone – It’s the closest thing I’ve had to an assistant. If only it did QuickBooks, mopped, and gave massages…

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Head designer Keunbaik Lee gave us the lowdown…

What key insights drive your stuff?

Structure, purpose and beauty are the three key insights of the BLC brand. From another view, these are essential elements as well. BLC focuses on these three elements. Purpose is for the real-life experience, structure could be another word for Purpose but it is the very basic element of design. Simpler, more comfortable and new structure is approached, and then sometimes new form is found. Beauty is simply beauty; we try to create bags that are stable and beautiful.

Who else is doing rad things in the world of carry and why do you think they’re important?

FREITAG, because of a few things. Firstly, FREITAG’s concept of upcycling. Secondly, simple but very well-structured products. Thirdly, design elements such as fresh material and finally the fact that they have been keeping their identity for a long time. I think these are the factors that make FREITAG great.

They are good because they are doing their own thing, and people love them for it. Nowadays, people tend to copy what other new or famous brands do. But these guys consider their concept and philosophy very important and I think this is crucial for brands.

Are there any things other brands do that you think are great or could be improved?

GEAR3 BY SAEN.

They are a Korean brand and their office is not very far from BLC. I am aware that they are selling internationally too. From the feel that the name gives out, I think GEAR3 BY SAEN considers bags as ‘GEAR’. What I like about them is that whether the item is big or small, I can see their idea and it has simplicity and beauty in it. Also they are great for both female and male users as well. From their material, structure, form and everything else, I can see their effort to show something new. 

Ember Equipment.

I came across Ember Equipment on Kickstarter.com for the first time. The bag’s purpose, structure and their sub materials interested me. Also the fact that the products were easy to divide and all the pieces could adapt into daily life for different uses interested me too. It may seem like a simple idea, but they have pulled it off very well, and I am excited to see more of their work. When they were running the funding on Kickstarter, I couldn’t help out because the funding was over, but I support their start.

What single product are you most proud of and why?

Intellect Bag.

I feel that this product explains the combination of purpose, structure and beauty. It was not exactly the best seller, however I have deep affection for this product. It was one of the designs from the beginning year. I tried to research and thought a lot about this product. When I was designing Intellect, I was really studying the product along with our factory master. As it was a new style for BLC, it was not really easy to pull off a portfolio bag that had BLC’s characteristics in it.

As the product name ‘Intellect’ gives out, the basic concept of the bag was a book. The main function of the bag is that you can carry it horizontally and vertically. If you carry it horizontally, it is hard to feel or see that it is shaped like a book. However, if you carry it vertically this would be more obvious. Of course, it is honestly more comfortable to carry it horizontally.

What’s next for you guys?

We are completely rebranding the brand. From the designs we had for eight years, we are trying to re-develop the current design into new designs. I think these will be ready to show in the beginning of 2015. The big work for us is to really think about how we are going to reinterpret the current identity and design. We are quite excited to share our new work with our customers and potential customers.

Moreover, we are trying to divide BLC’s lines into two targeted towards different audiences with different lifestyles. 

The first lineup will be targeted towards people who have more playful lifestyles. They could be working in the art industry, such as artists, freelancers, dancers, musicians and so on. It includes bags that could be used for daily life too. The bags will carry BLC’s main identity which is style and various functions.

The other lineup will be targeted towards people who are involved in more business-like lifestyles. It would be formal yet stylish. Externally it would be minimal and simple, but the focus would be in the functional interior structure.

What do you carry daily and how?

I draw a lot, so I always carry a tablet PC. There is a laptop space in the bag, so it is really comfortable to carry my tablet PC. Also I carry an eco bag on the side as well, so that I can carry it when I need to go out somewhere nearby.

BLC Civitas Backpack / Vagabond – Manga / Quang Magazine – Manga / BLC Wallet / Britz Bluetooth earphone / Notebook / hand note / Cintiq tablet laptop / BLC pencase / Submarket bag

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To learn more about Forceprotector Gear we went straight to the source, with Ed sharing his insights on the brand’s driving motivations and creating the United States Marine Corps’ official standard issue deployment bag…

What key insights drive your stuff?

My mission has always been to manufacture the best designed products along with providing unparalleled customer services; qualities not commonly found in our industry. Overseas manufacturers have changed the perception of “true quality” (which is constructed with the best materials and craftsmanship) and have transformed the industry to accept cheaply made products in order to rationalize cost savings.

Though there has been a very small resurgence in the interest of American-made products, the consumer still needs to understand the true value of purchasing a quality product. Paying a little more for an item which will last twice as long is as important in factoring one’s return on investment. Our customers know they are getting innovative products which are manufactured to withstand rugged use under harsh conditions.

What single product are you most proud of and why?

The Forceprotector Gear “Deployer” – I designed this bag and it is the official standard issue deployment bag for the United States Marine Corps. The Deployer is an innovative design using today’s technology to combine the form and functionality of the standard issue military “footlocker” and the standard issue military “duffel bag”. Neither of these two legacy items had seen much change over the past three centuries of combined use except for the transition from wood to metal to plastic for the footlocker, and the transition from wool to cotton duck to nylon for the duffel bag. When I designed the Deployer, I wanted to give the end user the ability to “live out of their bag,” while taking away all of the hassle of dumping it out to find something. This bag is fun and such a relief to travel with because it is so multifunctional and keeps your clothes and gear organized.

Who else is doing rad things in the world of carry and why do you think they’re important?

The first company that comes to mind is Patagonia. Though they have moved manufacturing overseas, they try to be socially responsible on how and who makes their products. They do understand the importance of research and development and how they should not cut corners during that process.

Are there any things other brands do that you think are great or could be improved?

All brands can be improved to some degree. Again, it’s the pressure of having to resort to an overseas manufacturer to be competitive and reduce costs, consequently reducing quality.

What’s next for you guys?

Continuing our quest to replace legacy items with new and innovative equipment that can make a difference in the daily lives of military personnel as well as the outdoor enthusiast.

What do you carry daily and how?

Of course, I use my own products to travel with but I do use a Tumi leather attaché case for business use. Tumi emerged as a trendsetter in the 1980’s when they started incorporating black ballistic nylon into their product line.

[1] Tumi wallet – I’m a big fan of the quality of Tumi, [2] car keys and key fob, [3] wood handled pocket knife – always handy to have the ability to fix things, and [4] hand sanitizer – very important to stay healthy when you are running a company and always on the go.

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