Students handmade cycle bag to go into production
A student who designed a backpack for cyclists as part of his
degree at Nottingham Trent University is thrilled to learn it is
set to go into production this summer.
Thomas Plummer, 21, will see his handmade bag - the Carleton
Backpack - be produced from mid-June by Carradice, a
Lancashire-based manufacturer which has traded for almost 100
years.
Thomas's design is in response to what he sees as an increasing
trend of people commuting to work by bicycle.
The smart-looking product is designed to improve with age and is aimed at those who would like a bag for life.
Made from real leather and cotton duck, the materials become
more supple and develop character the more the product is
used.
"It's a real buzz to know that something I designed as part of
my degree will be on the open market,"
said Thomas, originally from Harrogate in Yorkshire, who's
studying BA (Hons) Product Design at the School of Architecture,
Design and the Built Environment.
"There's a lot of work that goes into making a product
commercial, rather than just an idea, so I'm really pleased that
Carradice will produce it - it's a real asset to my
portfolio."
"As every consumer will use the bag individually, each product
will wear uniquely over time, making it personalised. In many ways,
people will see it as a personal companion rather than just a
functional item."
Carradice managing director David Chadwick said:
"We were really pleased to collaborate with Thomas on his design project."
"We were able to help with materials, production resource
and some real world advice. Thomas worked really hard and
identified the key elements of the bag design very
quickly."
"The finished design is excellent and fits neatly into our
existing product range. After working up some production samples in
June we can't wait to show it to our various customers around the
world."