Meet Dan the Designer

What goes into designing bags? Especially bags for a brand that is different, up-and-coming, and stand-alone? Not only do they have to look cool, they need to protect your laptop and keep you organized and comfortable. I thought the best way would be to learn from the master, our senior ful designer, Dan Custer.

C: Welcome Dan
D: Thanks C. Hurry up and ask the questions. I'm working on a new style and you're blocking my flow... kidding.

C: I'll be brief. We thought it would be good to learn a little bit about what goes into designing ful gear. Can you tell us what are some of your inspirations for your most recent collection?
D: Honestly, it's a bunch of things. Big ones are: our culture, architecture, auto design, and music. I'm listening to some mellow stuff right now, like City and Colour, Matt Morris, and Stateless. It depends on my mood. I also get inspiration from random things. Like, my wife, Sharby, and I went to California last week and I found this cool red chair at a mod furniture store. The shape totally lent itself to a sweet day-pack.

C: What do you keep in mind when designing your bags?
D: Convenience, organization, simplicity, comfort... and after I tackle the function, I work on the aesthetics. I really try to keep classic shapes, but modern lines. I want the bags to look relaxed, but put-together. The look and function should complement each other and make sense. I also try to give each new line elements that differentiate them from the previous season, while keeping them so "ful" that you can look at it and know it's ful even if you don't see the logo. An example would be the use of pop-color in the lining with the neutral exterior styles.

C: What are you most proud of with your brand?
D: How it's evolved. Not only the product, but the dedication of the team behind the scenes. We are a really lean team and seriously, we are like a family. It is a fun environment to work in.

C: Any new types of bags (bat bags, diaper bags, etc) plan on designing in the near future?
D: Travel bags, laptop cases, and camera bags for sure. Everyone is asking for camera bags because the ones in the industry are so boring. We're working with a couple of photographers to make sure we're designing to protect the camera and gear as much as possible. Which brings me to a point I forgot. A lot of research and backwork goes into designing bags... hours of research before I even put my pencil to paper.

C: Pencil to paper. I thought most designers go strictly digital when designing nowadays?
D: Some do. I have an Illustration background, so I like to brainstorm on paper and then fine tune on to the computer. Drawing helps me come up with multiple concepts and solutions, that can take much more time to generate when dragging nodes on the computer.

C: Do you have one style of bag that's really close to your heart?
D: Yes, I have a few, some of which we never fully developed. I have to keep in mind that the bags that I think are amazing aren't always those that the public will find amazing.

C: Any words of wisdom for those who may be trying to break into the bag design business?
D: Be different and find inspiration in everything you see, outside of the bag market. Eat a lot of Mexican food. Oh, and eat, breath, and sleep bags.