The project
Al Sac! is a project that arises from the desire to highlight the motifs of jute sacks commonly used by Valencian farmers in the countryside. The aim was to create an object based on the principles of circular economy, environmentally committed and that was related with local tradition and culture.
Circularity based on the reuse of jute sacks used in the field by farmers to harvest. These, coming from coffee exporting countries, once in the Valencia countryside, are filled with products grown in the countryside. This is a very important aspect in this project as it is not the first recycling cycle that the bag goes through, but it is the end of a long process of reuse in the field.
In order to give a modern and youthful touch that brings modernity and aesthetics to such a rustic-looking base product, jute fabric is combined with recycled seat belts (scrapping cars) and industrially machined aluminum pins.
The design
Once the idea was set up, I started sketching different possibilities and functionalities, so I could set Al Sac! apart from other similar shoulder bags. These aspects are the manufacturing materials and its dual functionality designed for an urban air.
The prototype
During the hole development and prototyping project phase, I worked together with the craftsman Josué Giménez Giménez, from Arpillera. Its workshop is located in a small town next to the Valencia city, Benifairo de les Valls.
We built a good and long-lasting relationship based in an excellent communication and understanding of the project. I was able to learn about artisanal manufacturing, and realize about the possibilities and constraints in terms of design.
We built a good and long-lasting relationship based in an excellent communication and understanding of the project. I was able to learn about artisanal manufacturing, and realize about the possibilities and constraints in terms of design.
The communication
As part of the whole project, I did a one minute video product presentation where I tried to take the spectator through the entire life cycle of the jute sack, and its transformation into the final product. To figure out what scene I wanted to record, I first sketched some clips to build a storyboard that will be the guide for the later recording session.
The expo
RDS 9.0 is an arts and crafts design exhibition of 25 different products designed by Industrial Design students from the Polytechnic University of Valencia. These have been developed working together with craftsmen of the Valencian Community.
I was designated the general coordinator of the exhibition. I worked on financial support and its relation with different companies, supervising the development of the graphic elements involved in the exhibition and the space design.
The prize
Al Sac! was awarded with the New Talents prize issued by Generalitat Valenciana, Centre d'Artesania de la Comunitat Valenciana in December 2020.
The seventh edition of the Comunitat Valenciana Crafts Awards, organized by the Crafts Center of the Comunitat Valenciana, had more than 90 candidates in the seven categories: Comunitat Valenciana Crafts; Tradition; Vanguard; Innovation; Image; New Talents and Craftswomen.
