Kickstarter Watch: Packswell
The Project: Cotton canvas backpack focused on clean design and ease of use.
The Timeline: 14 days to go (Ends April 19, 2013)
The Funds: $4,768 to go ($5,232 pledged of $10,000 goal).
The Goods: $30 for a tablet sleeve, $200 for a backpack.
The Delivery: Projected delivery is in June of 2013.
When I was in Japan, there was a shop called Muji. It was mostly a personal goods store (clocks, pencils, soap, dishes) - vaguely similar to what you'd imagine an Ikea/Crate & Barrell hybrid would look like, but from a Japanese perspective. This store was amazing - everything they sold was elegant and cleverly designed.
Packswell clearly takes its design seriously as well. The brainchild of Dustin Driver, Packswell is a design-heavy take on the every day carry. Aesthetically, the Packswell backpack is meant to be simple. I'd say it succeeds in this. The lines are simple, there are very few breaks in the silhouette, not much in the way of visible external controls.
Despite its simplicity, however, the The Freelance is intended for daily use. It includes:
A padded laptop compartment
Side-zipper access
Magnet fasteners for front pockets
Heavyweight, water-resistant cotton canvas exterior
Super-bright corduroy interior
At 17″ x 12″ x 6″, it should be able to fit most 13-15" laptops. Dustin has indicated that the magnets for the front pockets are shielded to protect electronics (although who worries about that anymore?). My concern is the water-resistance. According to the Kickstarter page, "The Freelance is made of heavyweight, water-resistant cotton canvas woven by Fairfield Textile in the USA." Until I see some tests, I would be hesitant to recommend the bag for anyone who needs environmental protection for their stuff. The potential for disaster is simply too high.
The iPad sleeve is apparently made out of the same materials and designed for the 10" iPad, although I have not seen an actual produced prototype yet. It will also include a set of D-rings for an attachable strap, which is a great idea.
The Freelance and iPad Sleeve will be manufactured in the US by The Last US Bag Company (literally the name of the company), which is in Vancouver, Washington. Nice to see a bag that's made domestically.
There you have it! With just under two weeks to go, jump on this soon to make sure the project hits its goal and you get a bag!