Aekae collaborated with typographer Fabian Leuenberger from EuropaType to explore ways in which QWSTION could subtly apply branding to their products in a more integrated and functional way.

The designers transformed the brand's logo into various patterns, which were then laser-cut into the outer fabric of QWSTION's Oyster Grey Special Edition bags, increasing the stretch of the products through the typographic cuts.

The QWSTION brand was co-founded by Fabrice Aeberhard and Christian Kaegi of Aekae studio, who act as creative directors and industrial designers for the brand.

The bags were made by textile laboratory DevelopmentNeverStops as an experiment in branding and are not intended for sale.

Earlier this year we featured these handbags carried by clamping fingers in woven tubes, similar to Chinese finger trap puzzle.

See all our stories about bag design ».

Here's some more information from QWSTION:

A few thousand years ago, artisans were the first to place distinctive marks on their fabrications as signs of quality. At QWSTION, we believe that a product should speak in great terms for itself and a subtle statement of origin is all the branding it really needs. That's why we came up with the concept of functional branding, only placing our name on parts of the product that serve a functional purpose (such as buckles, twist locks, zipper pullers, and rivets).

In correspondence, choosing a typeface that's simple and timeless was crucial. We discovered it in EuropaType’s modern sans serif typeface EUROPA. Run by graphic designer and typographer Fabian Leuenberger, EuropaType is based in Zurich and London. Their approach of developing typeface turned out to be very similar to our approach of designing functional bags: Questioning, refining, and maybe even redefining the shapes of our heritage.

The goal of this collaboration was to push the boundaries of the functionality of branding. Using a laser cutter and bags of the current Oyster Grey Special Edition, we created various patterns based on our logotype. Branding becomes subtle and abstract, and the otherwise stiff material as a result became expandable and enhanced in its utility through the typographical cuts. The products are not intended for sale.

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for QWSTION appeared first on Dezeen.

The weight of the leather bags creates the pull needed to tighten the weave and secure fingers in the tubes.

Finger traps are often used as practical jokes, involving the wearer struggling to remove their digits from either end of the tube, which is usually woven from bamboo.

Both ends of the trap have to be pushed inward to relax the mesh and release the fingers. "The finger trap is often used as a metaphor for a problem that can be overcome by relaxing," says Piatt.

Piatt's small purse comes with one fastening, whereas the larger bag has three finger traps but can also be carried over the shoulder using a removable strap.

Laser-cut tabs interlock along the seams instead of stitching to create joints that look similar to the tubes.

Other handbags on Dezeen include a set made from old binocular cases and some made from folded recycled paper. See all our stories about bag design »

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by James Piatt appeared first on Dezeen.

Dutch designers Waarmakers have created sustainable rubbish sacks for discarding unwanted items in good condition, in the hope that they'll be picked up by a new owner instead of ending up at a landfill site.

Once full, the bags with transparent panels are left in the street along with normal refuse so passers-by can pick them up and make use of their contents. The items are kept clean and dry but still visible, and if they remain in place when the refuse collection truck passes then they will be taken away with the rest of the rubbish.

The project aims to introduce a more sustainable method of waste disposal along with a benevolent attitude towards providing potentially useful items for others.

"We started out by trying to make a product that would require the least bit of effort for all involved, so lowering the threshold to act altruistically for the user as much as possible by making it the same act as taking out the trash," Simon Akkaya of Waarmakers told Dezeen.

The word goedzak means "do-gooder" in the Netherlands, and also combines the Dutch words for "good" and "bag". The designers plan to collaborate with a chain of second-hand shops in Amsterdam called Kringloop Het Goed whereby the bags are picked up and taken to their stores, and the items are sorted and resold or recycled from there.

Waarmakers comprises Maarten Heijltjes and Simon Akkaya, two graduates of TUDelft in the Netherlands. The Goedzak idea was part of Akkaya's graduation project entitled Design for Altruism, which aimed to "design products that stimulate people to act to benefit others, preferably complete strangers."

Waarmakers sent us the following text:

Goedzak is a special garbage bag for items that are still useable. It’s a friendly way to offer products a second chance and stimulate sustainable behavior.

Whether it’s that purple vase your sister-in-law got you, or that particular coffee-pad-loving coffeemachine (you know the one) that’s been lying in the basement for ages; everybody owns items that are no longer of value to them.

Every now and then we throw out these items, while they still might be of value and/or useful to others. These items disappear in grey garbage bags and end up on trash piles. Goedzak offers these items a second chance. Goedzak stimulates people to dispose of their products in a more conscious and sustainable way. Goedzak can extend the products’ lifetime.

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Waarmakers appeared first on Dezeen.

Priced at £18 each, the bags and t-shirts sport artwork in a style similar to the much-ridiculed London 2012 graphics, with mocking phrases printed on brightly coloured angular shapes.

Dezeen readers can get 10% off any Dezeen Super Store purchase (excluding sale stock and Jambox) and enter our competition to win a designer watch worth £150 by downloading this flyer and presenting it at the shop.

See more products currently for sale at the store here.

Images are by Mark Cocksedge.

The bags are available to buy in the store now, and the T-shirts will arrive next week.

Dezeen Super Store
38 Monmouth Street, London WC2
1 July – 30 September 2012

The products were created by Hackney-based designer Tobatron. Scroll down to see a map of all the Hackney creatives we've featured as part of Designed in Hackney and click here for more details about Designed in Hackney Day on 1 August.

Here is some more information from Tobatron:

While “that big event in London” is taking place, inject some reality into the proceedings with these limited edition souvenirs.

They are designed by Tobatron in Hackney- a mere javelin’s throw away from the “big event” itself.

All ranges are ethically produced and are made in conjunction with accessories designer Elaine Burke and www.khama.co.uk - a network of women’s community groups in Malawi.

By purchasing these products you are helping to offer support and sustainable employment for women in one of Africa’s poorest regions.

Tobatron is the alter- ego of artist and designer Toby Leigh, his clients include The Guardian, FHM, Sony, Playstation and Channel Four.

His work can be viewed at www.tobatron.com and other products designed by Tobatron can be viewed and purchased here.

Elaine Burke is a London based accessories designer specializing in ethical fashion production in Africa. She has worked as a design consultant for ethical brands and developed ranges for ASOS, House of Fraser and Whistles.

Her company Khama is a network of womens community groups in Malawi making accessories and collaborating with micro-finance charities to help women in one of Africa's poorest regions.

Designed in Hackney map:

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Key:

Blue = designers
Red = architects
Yellow = brands
Green = street art

See a larger version of this map

Designed in Hackney is a Dezeen initiative to showcase world-class architecture and design created in the borough, which is one of the five host boroughs for the London 2012 Olympic Games as well as being home to Dezeen’s offices. We’ll publish buildings, interiors and objects that have been designed in Hackney until the games this summer.

More information and details of how to get involved can be found at www.designedinhackney.com.

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at Dezeen Super Store appeared first on Dezeen.

A puppet pops out from the pocket of this tote bag by Japanese designers Nendo.

The Roopuppet bag comes with a kangaroo, bear, human or dinosaur hand puppet, revealed by turning the pocket lining inside out with the wearer's hand inside the bag.

Nendo created the bag for Japanese brand Rootote, known for simple canvas bags with single pockets in the sides.

The bags are usually customised by artists with a surface print but Nendo left the canvas plain and altered the pocket instead.

See all our stories about Nendo »
See all our stories about bags »

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