The Supereflective Backpack

It all started with a fabric swatch I received from a supplier my senior year of college. I had the idea to make retroreflective running socks—an entirely flawed concept—but that was why I was trying to get my hands on all the reflective materials I could find. The sample that caught my eye was this fully retro-reflective polyurethane. This fabric was significantly thicker, more substantial, and more durable than any reflective fabric I had felt before. I knew almost immediately it would be perfect for bags. Thus started my year long journey of bringing the Supereflective backpack to market.

2018 - 2019

SKILLS UTILIZED

  • adobe creative suite

  • fabric and hardware specification

  • factory selection/sourcing

  • concept and brand design

  • product photography

This project was my introduction to CMF. I had to critically consider the material choices I made in order to produce a product that was functional, beautiful, and—most importantly—long lasting. Reflective materials are incredible for increasing prominence at night, but the cost is that the bonded coating is fragile. Reflective coated materials will wear out prematurely if laundered frequently, or regularly interfaced with abrasive materials. For this reason a reflective backpack is a much more logical form factor than textiles that require regular cleaning, like a jacket or pants. All of this is to say, particular considerations were necessary in the development of this product, and I’m incredibly proud of the result.