meeting with construction expert, brief brief

CONSTRUCTION: JOHN VENAFRO, VENAFROJ@philau.edu, office hours: monday 10-6 & wednesday 11-5:30

-ultrasonic seams, provide waterproof stitch, can be expensive due to factory ability and secondary processes (adhesive,seam tape)

-zippers are most often sewn and bound : gives clean inside seam,durability,prevents catching on other fabric

-zipper shape important when developing easy to access pockets – look at EMS bags

-box stitch used to join parts that get a lot of use / stress
(straps,handles) - also use bar tap pin or rivet to join

-shaped strap adds comfort and cost (curve helps stay on shoulder)
-handles usually "tubing wrapped in foam tape topstitched or topstiched w.foam insert and box stitch connection)

-the way patterns sewn together can provide structure, need a post machine (not at school)

-fabric utilization vs labor of seams , usually smaller pieces better because it allows for more pieces to fit maximizing use of material(use existing patterns mark in dead space to fill, really usefull in large scale productions)
-usually in china/asia cost of labor is cheaper than cost of material, so cheaper to make a larger piece two smaller pieces with extra stiches

- rolling luggage pulls II II not II, prevents bags from swinging around front

-General Steps of process
1.design bag through sketches/concepts
2.mach up a sample (canvas muslin ect)
3. layout patterns from mach ups, marker in different color according to material (outer shell,mesh, ect)
4. alter patterns to maximize use of fabric, thinking of dead space/large scale production
*****identify small parts like pockets with multiple processes (zipper,piping,embroidery) assemble them first then assemble the bag****

components, features, & areas of interest:
-color indicators for use (ex. Red zipper on laptop comp)
-more pockets & accessible
-telescoping / accordian pockets
-a bag for bags
-reflective materials
-key chain pull out (ex lighter leash)
-zip in / zip off compartments
-luggage stowage width & height
-strap adjustments
-look at garments/garment design
-type of thread increase strength
-hiking back packs
-columbia,burton
-closures (mag toggle snap clip zipper)
-pull cord covers
-stuff falling out when opened
-materials to optimize usage


BRIEFLY BRIEF ABOUT BRIEF

1.use marketing analysis tools to find niche in market, aide in selection of materials, determine price
-consumer behavior,SWOT, 5 p’s, PEST, CEG
2.Keep Good Traits
-durability,ruggedness,versatility
3.Change/Propose new solutions/ new opportunities
-cut down bulk,minimal option,womens design,add increased functionality, comparative analysis
4.Provide travel friendly options
-quick access PC /luggage attach /wheels
5.Investigate User Interaction
-7,14,28 ,observations, surveys
6.Make more ergonomic
-strap design, how naturally held, ask mike/research
7.Utilize expert consultants
-have specific examples/questions

There are two major factors I need from a gadget bag– smallest size possible to carry everything I need (and nothing more) and light weight. The latter condition is no joke, I have tried bags that weight a couple of pounds or more empty, which doesn’t make sense when you are trying to go lean and mean.

A company that has garnered quite a reputation for awesome computer bags is the Booq company. Booq is a company that makes practical bags to fit all types of mobile devices such as iPods, PDAs and notebook computers. They have a complete line of bags, backpacks and laptop sleeves to fit just about any gadget you might be carrying around. I did a lot of research and gathered a lot of user comments that indicated how good these bags are viewed by consumers so I decided recently to pick one up for myself.


Construction

The Boa.XS is nice and small yet will carry everything I need to make it through my work day and even for short trips. The dimensions of the XS are:

14.5 x 12.0 x 3.5”

This makes the bag perfect for carrying my stuff, and even those trying to carry a Tablet PC or notebook computer with a 12” screen will find the XS to be of adequate size. The laptop pocket of the XS has the following dimensions:

12.5 x 9.75 x 1.6”

The outer construction of the Boa is first rate with ballistic nylon used throughout the bag and all stitching is extremely durable. I would think it would be very hard to rip or abuse this bag. The attention to detail in the design of the Boa.XS extends to the back panel and backpack straps which together make this one of the most comfortable backpacks I have ever used. The back panel is molded with a slight curve to fit the owner’s back and the straps are wide and padded for comfort. The way the straps are designed make this bag very comfortable to wear draped over one shoulder, my preferred method to wear it during the day. I can carry the Boa over my shoulder for extended periods with no discomfort or fatigue of the shoulder at all. It is apparent Booq put a lot of thoughtful design into the usability of the Boa.

Virtual Tour of the Boa.XS

When you first take a good look at the outside of the Boa it is readily apparent the level of detail that Booq put into the design and construction of the bag. The large front pocket on the bag is covered in a nicely patterned nylon that is smooth to the touch and embellished with the tasteful silver “booq” nameplate. There is a small orange rubber tag with the Booq logo on the left side and all the various zippers have the same logo in silver on the pull tabs. All pockets on the Boa have two zippers which allows easy access to most of them without having to completely open the zipper.

The front pocket also has a black plastic loop for attaching other accessories to hang on the front of the bag. This pocket is a large area to store those items you need quick access to during the day and is nicely outfitted. The upper back of this pocket when opened has the same patterned nylon as the front of the bag except it is a tasteful orange that is only visible when the pocket is open. It is quite stylish and this pocket is the one I use all day long. The back of this pocket has a flat zippered pocket within a pocket where you can put flat items securely. There are two other smaller pockets on the back of varying sizes for business cards and the like. Two of the pockets are mesh so you can see what is in them without digging around, a nice touch. Hanging from the top of the open pocket is a clip for keys.

The next pocket you encounter as you move to the back of the bag is a very small pocket designed for an MP3 player. There is a grommet pass-through to feed the player headphone cord through the front of the bag and if you have a player with a remote control you can clip that to the loop I mentioned earlier and run your player without taking it out of the Boa. This is very useful for listening to podcasts like techADDICTION or The Tablet PC Show with your player of choice. The zipper for this little pocket is covered by a flap of durable nylon to prevent the player from accidentally falling out of the pocket.

The next pocket back is a large pocket that has more of the orange nylon on the back and is big enough to carry a small file or some magazines. There are two additional pockets on the front of this pocket to accommodate various sized items, with the front most pocket constructed of mesh so you can see what’s inside.

The last (or rear-most) pocket is the laptop compartment which in addition to the same double zippers that all the outer pockets use also has a durable nylon flap with two velcro enclosures. This has a dual purpose of keeping the two zippers from accidentally opening plus making it impossible for someone to snatch your laptop off your back without alerting you. The big pocket is completely made out of a soft velour type material that pads and protects your mobile computer from scratches. Tablet PC owners who are concerned about the exposed screen of the computer can rest assured it will not be scratched in the Boa computer compartment. The pocket keeps the notebook from flopping around while still remaining easy to take it out of the bag when you need it. The back of the pocket rests opposite the padded back molding I mentioned providing even more cushion for your expensive gadget.

The top of the Boa.XS is where the wide shoulder straps are attached to the bag with a handle bridging the two straps for stability. The handle is a padded sure-grip rubber and is easy to use to carry the bag around if needed. The shoulder straps have another orange Booq logo tag and are completely adjustable for length. There is a small strap that can connect the two shoulder straps across the chest for additional comfort if the back is loaded very heavily, but I find I don’t need that much. There is another removable waist strap which can be used to further distribute the weight evenly along the back and prevent the bag from moving around while it is being worn. I have removed this strap completely and do not find I need it but I can see a use for it for long walks.

The bottom of the Boa shows the same level of construction as the rest of the bag, from the rubberised non-slip bottom to the two “feet” that sport the Booq name in black and silver. You can safely stand the bag up to root around in the pockets without worry the bag will slip away from you. The aforementioned padded back has a large molded Booq logo that is quite clever and stylish, like everything else on the Boa.

Conclusion

It is probably apparent by now that I am quite happy with the Booq Boa.XS, and find it perfect for carrying all the stuff I need every day while still remaining light and with a low profile. The entire bag tapers narrower toward the top of the bag making it very low profile which I really like. I find the Boa to be stylish and tasteful enough to carry into any meeting without attracting undue notice from the other attendees.

Here are a couple of photos that shows how flat the bag is both empty and loaded with all my stuff:



You can barely tell the difference which suits me just fine. Here is a photo of the bag with all the stuff I carry in it piled in front of it for your reference:


The Boa.XS is available from the Booq Bags site for $109.95 and while that is normally more than I would pay for a bag such as this the construction and utility of the Boa makes that price worth paying. When I purchased my Boa a few weeks ago Booq had an online discount of $30 making this bag a real steal so check their site before buying elsewhere to make sure you’re not missing a special. If you need a bag that is larger Booq has bags that accommodate laptops with screens up to 17” so you are sure to find the perfect bag in the right size for your needs.

At first glance I thought this bag probably wouldn’t work for me. Aside from my aforementioned concern about having only one back, this bag looked too small to house all the stuff I carry with me on a daily basis. When I took it out of the box it was compressed flat. This was misleading.

The bag/backpack actually has three full length vertical pockets – each with considerable space. The center pocket comes with a variably sized laptop sleeve. You select one of eight boot sizes to fit your laptop when you order the Torq.


I typically carry two laptops and I found that both fit easily into the center pocket. I put the Toshiba I own inside the laptop sleeve and slide the Dell machine provided by my employer right in there next to it.


In the front-most vertical pocket I carry the two laptop power bricks and a mouse. There is plenty of room in there for more stuff!


The front vertical compartment also has a nice selection of mesh, nylon, and zippered pockets to help you organize your equipment.

In the rear-most vertical pocket, I carry my 6×8 Wacom tablet, a mouse pad, and a fair stack of papers, CDROMs, etc. Again, there is room for a lot more stuff here.


There is also a roomy front pocket which will expand to carry smaller items like card readers, office supplies, etc.


After you get everything packed into this expandable pack, you can bind everything together with the dual sets of straps on the sides. Each side has a permanent adjustable strap located about a third of the way up.


Each side also has another set of adjustable straps with quick disconnects located about a third of the way down from the top.

Spire has done a good job creating a flexible design which allows you to expand to contain your gear while still keeping everything tight inside so it doesn’t shift around when you are moving. I think I could reasonably double the amount of gear I am currently carrying, but this is not necessarily a good thing.


Let us talk about straps. The Torq comes with four different strap systems. You can choose which way you prefer carry the bag and stow away the unneeded straps in the pockets provided for this purpose.

The removable laptop sleeve is held in place inside the Torq by a Velcro pad on the back of the sleeve mating to the solid Velcro backside of the center vertical pocket. You can just pull it out and attach the included nylon strap to the two D-rings located at the top of the sleeve.


Of course the Torq comes with standard padded backpack straps. These straps are fastened at the bottom with quick disconnects. This allows you to quickly stow the straps away inside the gap between the bag and the rear padding.


The standard backpack straps are easily adjustable. They also come with a sternum strap which is adjustable vertically as well as for tension. Each has a small horizontal nylon strap and one has a medium sized D-ring where you could hang small items.


Spire has also included a padded waist strap with a large quick disconnect buckle which can be used to take some of the load off of your shoulders. This strap can also be stowed in the gap between the pack and the rear padding when not in use.


Finally, the Torq comes with a fairly wide, padded shoulder strap which can be connected to the bag in a number of ways. The bag has metal O-rings located at all four corners. I prefer to connect my shoulder strap to the two O-rings at the top of the bag. You could carry the bag on its side – or even upside down if you are feeling wild and crazy!

Note – carrying a fully loaded Torq backpack upside down is not recommended by either the author of this review or The Gadgeteer. Please do so at your own risk.

This shoulder strap allows me to carry my Crumpler Karachi Outpost backpack simultaneously with the Torq with minimal discomfort – said discomfort having more to do with the overall weight of my gear than any design issue with either bag. The amount of gear I carry around with me is really ridiculous and seems to grow over time. I am like the old woman in the Labyrinth who has accumulated a lifetime of junk on her back.

This is not your problem and I apologize for bringing it up.

The bag also includes two nylon mesh side pockets with synch straps. These are suitable for water bottles, cell phones, etc. I use one of mine for my PDA. At the top you will also find a round, hard rubber, nylon covered grab handle.

Now it is time for specifications. The backpack’s external material is primarily 1680 Denier Ballistic Nylon. The interior pockets are lined primarily with 210 Denier light gray nylon. The bag weighs appx. 2.9 pounds and has overall dimensions of 19.5″ x 14.5″ x 9″ unexpanded (49.5cm x 37cm x 23cm). As mentioned earlier, the laptop sleeve, included in the price of the bag, is variable — based on the size of your laptop.

The Incase Nylon Slim Laptop Backpack will keep your MacBook safe and sound as you jet around town. A reinforced laptop compartment cradles your precious cargo comfortably, while the backpack’s ergonomic straps ensure your comfort as well. The Nylon Slim Laptop Backpack features a nylon weather-resistant exterior, so rain or shine, your laptop will be nice and dry. The Nylon Slim Laptop Backpack retails for $100. Incase via Be Sportier

For the professional laptopper on the go, the Logitech Kinetik 15.4 Briefcase offers a professional look with all the laptop protection you want in a laptop bag. The Kinetik 15.4 laptop briefcase cushions your laptop from bumps and bangs with its lightweight exterior case and padded sleeve. Inside, organization is the name of the game, with expandable compartments, additional cargo bays and copious convenient pockets. Buy the Kinetik 15.4 laptop briefcase for $99.99. Logitech.



The Spire Mojo laptop bag works double duty for your professional and casual laptop needs. Designed to fit your 17-inch laptop, your books, your files, supplies and all your accessories, the only thing the Mojo laptop bag can’t fit is the kitchen sink. Multiple internal and external pockets ensure there’s a place for everything – even a convenient mesh pocket for your water bottle. The Mojo laptop bag features a durable 1680D Ballistic nylon exterior, and a TripleShock padding system absorbs all shocks. A symmetrical shoulder strap pad, a removable waist strap and padded handle add comfort to carrying. Alternately, when travelling by plane or train, a pass-through luggage handle is handy. An MP3 pocket and headphone grommet is an appreciated added feature. The Mojo laptop bag retails for $100. Spire.

Case is made of Durable, water-resistant Polyester.
Removable, cooling laptop platform doubles as protection for laptop during travel.
Internal neoprene sleeve supports laptop and keeps it safe from other accessories.
Adjustable strap with swivel buckles allow the bag to move with users, rather than against.
Platform puts the user's hands in a healthier position when typing.

research

The SealLine Black Canyon Dry Packs are not only ultra-lightweight, but they will also keep your gear dry if you ever drop it in a lake.. Oh and it will also float, which is a bonus if you ever really do drop your pack in a lake. This type of pack is great for everything from kayaking & hiking to fishing, but is also the perfect gear to carry on planes, trains and buses. You never know what will happen to your pack, so it’s better to be well equipped. These lightweight packs are made of urethane coated nylon, meaning it hasn’t sacrificed weight for durability. The Boundary Pack is available in 35, 70 & 115-liter sizes, it’s PVC-free and proudly eco-friendly. The 115L and 70L sizes close with side-cinch buckles, while the daypack-size 35L includes a top buckle closure.
Features include:
• Lightweight Design so you can carry large heavy loads without fatigue.
• Durability: RF-welded, 300D urethane double-coated nylon body with 400D HD urethane- coated nylon bottom.Reliable Protection: Roll-down Dry Seal closure. Starts at$89

Backpack Facts
It seems as though more and more students are using backpacks to carry their books, food, sporting gear, and any other items they may need throughout the school day. Using a backpack is an excellent way to tote these items. However, if the backpack is too heavy or improperly worn, it can lead to injuries to the back and shoulders. The Virginia Beach City Public Schools School Health Advisory Board offers some guidelines on how to properly wear a backpack and avoid injury. 

A backpack may be your best choice for carrying your school items especially compared to a briefcase or shoulder bag. If the backpack is properly worn, it is supported by the body’s strongest muscles. These muscles stabilize the body and keep it in good alignment, and are best used for carrying heavy loads. They are stronger and have better endurance than the muscles in the arms.
If the backpack is improperly worn, it can cause chronic pain and bad posture in students, especially those who are still growing.
Perhaps the pictures and descriptions here will help you wear your backpack properly, and avoid injury.


Wear Both Straps
Wearing a backpack on one shoulder can cause a person to lean to one side in order to handle the uneven weight. Over time, this can cause excessive stress on upper and lower back, neck, shoulders and even functional scoliosis.
Proper Weight 
Students seem to be carrying heavier loads. Books, after school clothing, and laptops are heavy contents. Even when worn properly with both straps, leaning forward to compensate for the weight can affect the natural curve of the spine. A good rule to follow is keep the weight at 15 to 20 percent (or less) of the person’s body weight. 

Backpack Style or Type
Make sure the backpack has wide straps. Narrow straps can be painful on the shoulder and press on nerves and blood vessels. Backpacks with waist belts are preferred. This helps to distribute the weight of the backpack more evenly. Backpacks with only one strap are not recommended. The weight of the backpack when empty is also to be considered. Ex. Canvas is lighter that leather.
For more information, visit the American Physical Therapy Association website at www.apta.org
Backpack Helpful Reminders
• Use both straps
• Make frequent locker stops
• Avoid carrying all books at one time
• Leave unnecessary items at home
• Lift backpack correctly by bending at the knees and lifting with your legs
• Inform your parents or nurse of any pain or discomfort.

Protective, make sure any laptop computer bags that you choose would be able to protect your laptop properly. So your laptop will be safe for any scratches or breaks that usually occur when you are carrying it from place to place.
Stay organized, it would be nice to choose any laptop computer bags that have great compartments. So it will allow you to bring other important things such as charger and extra batteries.
Stylish, there are many styles and colors of it. Choose any laptop computer bags that suit with your style. So it will help you make a great fashion statement.
Known best for their indestructible messenger bags, Chrome designed the sleeves with the same utilitarian aesthetic and durability. Features include an abrasion resistant neoprene and vinyl shell construction with a fleece-lining interior. The sleeve consists of a full wrap around zipper opening and haul handle. Laptop-hugging inner elastic clips were incorporated to keep the laptop protected.

This bag has a padded shoulder strap which is comfortable and light, it has a separate pouch for accompanying power adaptors and cables. For emergency there is a quick release clip which makes it easy and quick to remove the bag, there is a also a breathable mesh and extra padding at the backside and shoulder straps which provides support and comfort. The mesh is specially design to dispel its heat.

Combining eco-conscienceness with function, the Patagonia Book Case for 2nd Generation Kindle provides great protection in a 100% recycled polyester shell. The screen can be viewed while in the water-resistant case, so you can read and protect at the same time. A poly-mesh handle makes carrying a breeze, and the plastic zipper means that...More

I haven't carried a Boy Scout backpack in years, but the laptop feature in Timbuk2's latest sounds great: The sleeve is sideloading, meaning you can pull out your laptop without busting open your whole bag and spilling crap everywhere.
You'll actually notice that all of the bags have laptop compartments—that's because going forward, laptop bags won't be a separate category for Timbuk2, but a "function" of all of their bags. All of them hold 15 or 17-inch laptops, depending on the size bag you get. Up top, respectively, is Hemlock, Q and Swig. Swig doesn't have the sideloading awesomeness that Hemlock and Q do, but it's the first backpack of Timbuk2's that you can personalize the colors on. They come out later this month. Here's all the details:
Hemlock
Made for the urbanite that needs a pack to schlep around town in style – from the office, to the rock climbing gym, to courtside at the game, the pack features a rolled, expandable top, Swing Around Access™, a side-access compartment designed to fit a 17-inch laptop (15-inch in the small) and signature Timbuk2 D-ring bottle opener. Available in solid, color block and the official camo of the Navy Special Ops and the retail price is $90 for Small and $100 for Medium.
Design features include:
* Durable Ballistic nylon
* Waterproof flap liner
* Compression straps
* Accessory attachment loops
* Quick access pockets under front flap
* Padded back panel
* Lightweight Ergonomic Shoulder Straps
* And stash pocket hidden in the back
"Q" Computer Backpack
Appropriately named after the gadget inventor of the Bond movies, the "Q" has a place for everything. This pack is designed to fit a 15-inch laptop with multiple grab handles for convenience and Swing Around Access™. Available in dark brown/black, army/spinach, rev red/gun metal, and black and the retail price is $100.
Design features include:
* Durable Ballistic nylon
* Swing Around™ access
* Padded laptop compartment
* Multiple grab handles
* Lightweight Ergonomic Shoulder Straps
* Pocket for cords and peripherals with outside access
H.A.L.
H.A.L. (Heuristically programmed Algorithmic Computer) is the "Q's" older brother, named after HAL 9000 of the Space Odyssey saga, which was capable of speech recognition, lip reading, art appreciation as well as maintaining all systems on the ship. Similarly, the H.A.L. almost thinks for its owner and easily runs a mobile office. Designed to fit a 17-inch laptop, the backpack has multiple grab handles and plenty of capacity as well as Swing Around Access™. Available in dark brown and black and the retail price is $120.
Design features include:
* Durable Ballistic nylon
* Swing Around™ access
* Padded laptop compartment
* Multiple grab handles
* Lightweight Ergonomic Shoulder Straps
* Pocket for cords and peripherals with outside access
Swig
A messenger-inspired carry-all pack built for dudes AND ladies (Hallelujah!). Two large internal compartments accommodate loads of stuff and the organization panel makes it easy to find your keys. This sleek pack features a front-flap closure that comes in two sizes to fit a 15- or 17-inch laptop with a dedicated padded laptop compartment and the signature Timbuk2 bottle opener. Available in black/gun metal, moss/camo, gun metal/blue, and dark brown/orange and the retail price is $80 for Small and $90 for Medium.
Other features include:
• Accessory attachment loops
* Waterproof flap liner
* Quick access pockets under front flap
* Padded back panel
* Lightweight Ergonomic Shoulder Straps
* And stash pocket hidden in the back

MOLDED FOAM & BALLISTIC FABRIC

You’re seeing them here first, photos of our new Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags that are TSA compliant. They meet all current standards from the Transportation Security Administration to be Checkpoint Friendly, which allows airport security screeners full access to the laptop while it is still in the laptop bag. These new innovative laptop bag designs are sure to help travelers pass through security checkpoints quicker and easier.
Take a look for yourself and let me know which one you personally like. We will offer a Laptop Messenger Bag, a Briefcase and a Backpack. The Backpack will actually accommodate a laptop with a screen up to 17″. Both the Briefcase and Messenger Bag will accommodate laptops with screens up to 15.4″. Visit our website for updates when you can buy your very own Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag.

The Cocoon Grid-it system Laptop Bags are ingenious! Instead of struggling to get everything into the case and in a semi decent manner for 10 minutes each time you pack up your laptop, now you can just grid it! The Cocoon Laptop bag also has various pockets and areas for cables, cameras, phones etc.
The Grid It laptop bag is:
• Airport friendly
• Shock absorbent molded case
• Proprietary GRID-IT!™ organization system – a rubberized woven elastic object retention system for gadget organization
• Ideal for organizing iPod, iPhone, BlackBerry and other digital devices
• Non-slip design keeps your laptop in place
• Convenient padded handles
• Detachable/Adjustable padded shoulder strap
• Accommodates up to a 15.4″ laptop