When the prototype arrived back, Horn immediately saw that changes were needed. The front flap was too plain, and he wasn’t happy with some pocket sizes. To make the changes, he photographed the bag from all angles. Then he imported the photos into Adobe Photoshop and used the clone stamp tool to modify the pocket sizes and even “stitch” a pattern across the front. From there, he opened the file in Illustrator and made notations explaining the changes. Finally, he e-mailed the file back to the factory.
“At this point in the process, software improves communication and helps remove guesswork on the manufacturing side,” Horn says, “If a pocket is too big, you select it and make it smaller. That way, the person at the factory can see exactly how it should look.”
From there, it took only a few rounds of iterations until the final prototype was born. Every time the factory sent a prototype, the designers at MEDIUM and their counterparts at Adobe reviewed it and suggested changes. By the time the bag had reached its fourth revision, everyone was satisfied, and production began in earnest.
So far, the results have been positive. Fashion blogs and publications have shown plenty of interest, and raves have also come from the few lucky designers who have tested out the bags.
“I can finally have a messenger bag and enter a client building without being asked to use the delivery entrance,” says Matteo Bologna, president of Mucca Design.
Roberto de Vicq de Cumptich, senior art director and vice president at HarperCollins, agrees. “[It’s a] perfect bag for this bionic age,” he says. “It has more pockets than I have electronic devices and cables. Now if I only had the back to carry it.”
Of course, Mr. Cumptich, it’s not the bag that’s heavy; it’s all the things that creative pros like you want to put in it. Then again, that was the idea in the first place.
The Adobe Messenger Bag is now available online and at all Barneys New York stores.
Find out more at the Adobe Store.