Mission Workshop Messenger Bag
Create a bag that meets the needs of a young professional who is on the go and utilizes transportation that limits space, like cycling or public transport.
User.
Andrew is a 23 year old Engineering grad student at Stanford University. Andrew has a life full of movement as he navigates between class and part-time work.
He carries with him all of the essentials to get him through the day and supplies he needs for class. This results in him not only needing a compact bag that he can safely rely on to carry his belongings, but also a bag that reflects who he is professionally.
Benchmarking.
When benchmarking existing messenger bags on the market, price was compared with features. More features did not necessarily equate to a higher price. Price was more closely associated with materiality and the brand attached to the bag. Using this information, the most durable material at the lowest cost was chosen. Choosing college students as the user allowed for a smaller range of functions needed. The grey circle represents the product area of the bag, being both mid-range in price and in features.
Moodboard.
Branding.
Started in 1994 under the name Chrome, Mission Workshop was born 2009 in San Francisco. In their own words they, “desire to build gear as tough as it is beautiful.”
From their genesis onward, Mission Workshop has focused on the lifestyle-driven technical apparel and bags market. This focus has allowed them to hone in on what it takes to make a functional, beautiful, and durable bag for that environment.
Using Mission Workshop’s brand language and vision, it inspired a bag that would meet the needs of a college student, and secure their belongings no matter how they choose to commute.
Materials.
3D Printed Parts.
The final model of the bag features plastic parts that were designed and 3D printed by me. The bag features two loops, that connect the strap to the bag, a single bar slide, to increase and decrease the length of the strap, and a handle for carrying the bag like a briefcase, rather than around the shoulder. The parachute buckles were sourced from Thingiverse from another designer.
Process.
The process began by cutting out the net of the bag and sewing on the straps. I then went on to sew the liner onto the other side of the bag and sew strips of nylon onto the edges. I then sewed the pocket into the bag. The pockets were created using a thin sheet of foam sewn into the liner material. The plastic parts, handle, strap, and front clips, were then sewn on. The final step was sewing the bag into the final form.
Final Messenger Bag.
The final bag features two internal pockets, one for your laptop, and the other for miscellaneous items. The bag has two external pockets, large enough to fit things such as your phone or a water bottle. Items are safely protected from the elements by the front flap and can be adjusted using the 3D printed front clips. All edges of the bag are wrapped with nylon strapping so it can withstand all that a daily commute can throw at it.
