5 Minutes With Monofold

Imagine with one fold you could change the look and functionality of your bag. Brandon Hong took this idea and made it reality with Monofold. This South Korean carry brand finds the balance between style and functionality, with a clever and sophisticated take on urban-friendly designs. We caught up with Brandon to dig down into the driving motivations and future plans for Monofold…

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