SkyPack

The Skypack is an everyday bag designed to suit the needs of an average student. It features a spacious main pouch with built-in padded laptop sleeve, as well as an outside pocket for storage of small items. The external shape of the bag is simple, a subtle twist on a classic schoolbag through the use of asymmetry. The bag is navy blue with bright red accents, an abstract take on the first rays of sun piercing a night sky; fading stars are represented by silver accessories such as buckles and rings. All outer features like pockets and water bottle holders seamlessly transition into one another, as the bag’s exterior is made from a single fabric strip wrapping around itself in a spiral.

Dark blue backpack with red zippers and a white water bottle in side pocket, on a light background.

Inspiration and Ideation

I took inspiration from backpack designs such as the Hershel Classic Backpack XL (top left), STM Goods Myth Backpack (top right), and the LL Bean Mountain Classic Cordura Backpack (bottom left).

Person wearing a navy blue backpack outdoors.
L.L.Bean backpack, two-tone with yellow top and blue bottom, front pocket, and adjustable straps.
White and gray backpack with maroon accents and zippers.
Sixteen sketched backpack designs with varied patterns, labeled 1 through 16.
Diagram of a multi-compartment backpack; front view shows a large front pouch and small front pouch, left side has a side pocket and water bottle pocket, back view features padded straps and key clips, and the right side displays the main pocket and laptop pouch.
Dark blue backpack with red accents and multiple compartments

After many iterations of initial sketch ideation, I narrowed down my design to a wrap-around model, mostly fabricated from a single piece of wrapped cloth. I chose navy blue and red as the color palette to create a bag that was neutral with a contrast to add interest and excitement to the piece.

Design and Fabrication

Initially, I created a simple prototype bag out of linen to test the proportions. Though this bag did not follow my desired design, the mockup allowed me to adjust the overall dimensions and practice using a sewing machine before beginning construction of my final form. The final prototype was made from navy duck cloth and a red nylon lining fabric, created in two parts: Straps first, then overall construction and implementation.

Person holding a fabric piece with stitched patterns in a sewing area.
Person holding a partially sewn harness under construction, with a sewing machine and crafting materials in the background.
Sketch of a bag prototype with labeled dimensions and sections, including front, back, and pockets. Includes notes on seam allowances and design features like straps and zippers.
Diagram of fabric pattern pieces labeled as duck cloth, nylon, and foam for a crafting project. Includes labels for outer frame, top strip, back panel, bottom, inner and outer pockets, and straps.
Fabric pattern for a backpack on wooden floor

Final Prototype and Critique

Person putting a laptop with stickers into a blue backpack with red zippers and a water bottle side pocket.
Backpack with red accents and a water bottle
A hand opening the red zipper of a dark blue backpack with a white water bottle in its side pocket.

Though the overall form is solid and purposeful, the external decorative aspects seem a bit thrown together. Having silver accenting pieces on only one side of the bag feels overwhelming and unbalanced. Instead, omitting such a stand-out material contrast in favor of a plastic or anodized metal might make the piece more cohesive. Alternatively, silver accessories could be added to the front of the bag (perhaps in the form of zipper pulls) to even out the bag’s appearance. Another critique is the inconsistency of seam types, with hand-sewn and well-hidden seams juxtaposing one another.