A backpack designed in the Cotopaxi brand language.
project brief
The objective of this project was to select a brand and create a sewn good that reflects its characteristics and design language. I chose Cotopaxi as my focus. Over five weeks, I used laser cutters to rapidly prototype patterns in paper, muslin, and canvas. From the finalized canvas pattern, I created a bag that embodies Cotopaxi’s visual and physical characteristics, featuring bright blocks of color and a hook closure system for easy access to the bag’s contents.
tools
PROCREATE
RHINO
ILLUSTRATOR
FDM 3D PRINTER
CO2 LASER
Brand Analysis
To fully understand the design language of the Cotopaxi brand, a brand analysis was conducted. This process revealed distinctive elements of Cotopaxi products that differentiate them from others. Notable features included randomized color schemes on specific parts of the pattern and the utilization of a simple hook system for bag closure.
PATTERN DEVELOPMENT
After completing several ideation sketches that captured Cotopaxi’s form language, I progressed to developing paper patterns and then moved on to muslin. I also 3D printed a version of the closure system used on Cotopaxi’s Tarak 20 backpack, as detailed in the brand analysis.
final model
Although Cotopaxi bags are typically made from nylon ripstop, this final model was constructed using duck canvas due to time constraints and the capabilities of the laser cutter used for pattern production. Future versions could employ different materials depending on user needs.
