In our last podcast, we reviewed the entire design process of Valley, the backpack for digital nomads that we designed for our friends at Barner Brand, which was recently recognized with a Red Dot Design Award. It was a very interesting conversation, from which we have gathered some key learnings that we want to share with all of you.
1. Never underestimate a design award
Edu and Rai, co-founders of Barner Brand, admit that until they won the Red Dot Design Award, they didn't realize the prestige of the award. Seeing their backpacks share recognition with designs from Google and Phillips made them realize that their product, in terms of design, was up there with the best.
"Sometimes these kinds of recognitions provide the confidence boost we need to truly appreciate our products."
2. Know your target audience and grow your business.
We all know that Barner is a brand famous for its eyewear and that its target audience is digital nomads. Their deep understanding of their target audience allowed Edu and Rai to conceive this backpack designed to meet the multiple needs of a digital nomad of a digital nomad in their daily life.
"Investing in understanding your users will allow you to generate information that, over time, can be turned into great products for them. For a company, this translates into growth."
3. Crowdfunding as a validation tool
For them, crowdfunding was a validation tool that allowed them to test their product with their customers. While they recognize that crowdfunding has become increasingly difficult, they consider it a great tool that helps predict the reception of a product from day one.
"A well-detailed campaign that perfectly explains the product, its attributes and its history is essential to generate the trust that users need on these platforms."
4. The importance of creating patterns to save time and resources.
Edu and Rai agree on the importance of pattern making in textile product design. A well-executed pattern-making process guarantees a real, viable and final prototype. They explain that since they decided to work with Lúcid, the first prototype was almost final, thanks to excellent pattern making.
"Bringing a concept to reality requires extensive knowledge in pattern creation, so that anyone involved in the process can understand how to create an effective prototype."
5. Costs: the critical factor that can change everything
Both Lúcid and Barner explain that their initial product idea had many features. Prioritization was key to achieving an attractive, functional and cost-effective product.
Edu and Rai describe the process of streamlining and prioritizing features as the least rewarding part of the project, but recognize that finding a balance between features and costs is crucial to making an affordable, manufacturable product.
6. Choose the right partners
In the podcast, the Barner team explains that they initially tried to carry out the project on their own, but soon realized that it was an impossible task. They therefore decided to contact Lúcid, who redesigned the concept and provided them with a near-final prototype that immediately convinced them. As Edu and Rai explain in the podcast, designing glasses is not the same as designing backpacks. Working together was the key to materialize and make their idea a reality.
.webp)
