DA18 Sling Mála Crochta

Press Kit

Unique Properties

A casual sling bag designed for urban travel. The unisex DA18 Sling features self-closing magnetic enclosure that that can be opened with one finger. Its compact size is designed to accommodate increased mobility. The over-sized adjustable leather strap hugs close to the body, ensures sturdiness and carrying comfort. User can carry the bag at the back or the front for security.

Dimensions & Packaging

Dimensions: 25 x 16 x 6cm
Weight: 400g
Materials: Leather

Tags

DA18 Sling, Sling Bag, Leather, dash

Production Technology

DA18 Sling uses traditional leather craft combined with modern cutting & sewing machinery for its production, its unique, formed curve and edge finishing relies heavily on the expertise of skilled artisans to achieve a refined and consistent result.

Design Challenge

For DA18 Sling, the challenge lies in 2 key areas: Practicality and Security.

Unlike other form factors, the sling bag can be carried in both vertical and horizontal orientations. This versatility provides the designer with unique set of practical challenge: enabling safe storage and easy access of items in multiple use orientation.
The close quarter of the sling bag when carried also present a unique challenge for user accessing the bag. To address both practical issues outlined above, the designer elected to create the widest access for the bag as possible. This not only aids getting to the belonging in close quarters, but also enable it to be used in multiple orientation.

The internal space have also been consciously designed to accommodate typical items that user may need to carry from phone & wallet to glasses and keys.
The curve enclosure also had to be carefully refined to create a pleasing curve as well as retaining as much internal capacity as possible when closed.

To address security concerns that accompany larger access, the designer integrates powerful magnets to create a self-closing enclosure, ensuring that the bag will always stay closed when not in use, allaying any concerns that belongings may fall out.

Research

The research approach towards designing the DA18 Sling is centered around studying the lifestyle specific users. By accompanying and observing 5 carefully select users on their day-off (mixed gender, age between 18-28, living in the city and minimalist style) the designer was able to obtain an understanding of the user's lifestyle, as well as the items this particular group of users typically carry with them. The end form factor was directly derived from users requirement for a bag that can better cater for their more mobile and active movement as well as the items they require to carry with them.

A series of prototypes were then built and road-tested to help designer fine-tune the design, ensuring that the product is practical to use in the real world.

Inspiration

The DA18 Sling is a minimal take on the functional sling bag. By eliminating excess details, the DA18 Sling distill the bag into the purest functional form that is both pleasing to use and complementary to user's style.
The minimalistic styling, its designed to cut out distracting details and make the bag as straightforward to use as possible.

Project Duration

The project began in late November 2019 and was subsequently completed in March 2020 with the product being subsequently launched for online & offline sale in July 2020.

Operation Flow

The bag can be opened with just one finger by simply sliding your finger along the top edge to open, starting from the side. The bag will close itself once you let go of the enclosure. The carry strap can be easily adjusted via the twin pin snaps which locks the strap into a desire length. The bag can be worn on the back or across the chest for added security. Rear Zipper pouch provides quick access to frequency used item. Meanwhile, the "Stilt" base provides the bag with increased stability and help raise the bag's bottom off the surface when putting down on surfaces, keeping the bag clean and easy to maintain.

Patents

Trademark (2019) dash. / Aeskimo Co., Ltd.