[New Product Development Series ①] Revealing how a briefcase is planned and developed!

Hello! This is Onda from HushTug.

In fact, HushTug did not release a single new product last year (2020).

However, this year we are planning and developing several new products with the aim of launching them!

In this blog, I would like to reveal the process of developing a new product right up to its release!

Research and new product ideas

This time we will develop a "briefcase" for work.

We already have a product called a "business bag" that can be carried to work, but we wanted to create a bag that had a more formal look, so we decided to develop a briefcase.

First, we decide what kind of briefcase we want to make, but we at HushTug don't actually have a specialized designer.

That's why we decide things like "design (color, shape, etc.)" and "what to do with zippers and pockets."

Our planning staff researches various products online, goes to shopping malls and picks up products from other brands.

"This design looks great!"

"This size is just right!"

"The pocket size is just this!"

That's how I come up with ideas!

Once the idea is solidified, the next step is to create a "sample" to turn it into a product!

Creating the first sample using a common item

A sample is something you can try out before going to production to see what the finished product will look like.

The actual samples are made from processed cowhide, just like the products, but because HushTug's factory is in Mongolia, shipping between Japan and Mongolia takes a very long time.

So in order to quickly create samples in Japan, we are making the first samples using a certain material .

The material is…

Cardboard!

First, draw lines on the cardboard to create a pattern and cut it out with a cutter.

It looks like a craft project for elementary school students and is kind of fun!

Next, tape each part together...

The handle is also recreated by rolling up cardboard.

Finished!

Actually making a bag out of leather is time-consuming, although it produces a high quality finish.

According to a planning employee, cardboard is a good choice at the planning stage because it can be made in about an hour and you can get an idea of ​​the design and size.

After solidifying the image of the design and size with this cardboard sample, we move on to creating an actual sample using cowhide leather, but since this is getting long, we will introduce the rest in [New Product Development Series ②]!

Thank you for reading to the end today!

HushTug Onda