I. INTRODUCTION: INSPIRATION

This report will look at the design process of an upcycled product, made up of re-purposed materials. My Upcycled vinly billboard wallet project first began when I looked through one of Peter McKinnon’s videos, “The Best Minimalistic EDC Wallet” [¹], after discovering it from a recent aesthetic exploration blog post that Christopher Lehr, a fellow colleague in our course, observed [²]. This aesthetic: “The Peter McKinnon Aesthetic” centers around the photographer Peter McKinnon, one of minimalism, simplicity, rusticity, yet modern, which gave me inspiration to make my own carry-on that I would be proud of, for my upcycle project. McKinnon also talked about patina, the surface appearance of something grown beautiful especially with age or use, which really spoke to me in finding an potentially aesthetic material. The intrigue and motivation came from making something that I’d carry with me everyday, aesthetically pleasing, and had a great use.

II. MATERIAL SELECTION

The main material I looked at and used was re-purposed vinyl billboard, taking the strengths we see from duck tape in its flexibility and the strengths of cardboard in its texture and specific aesthetic, while not appearing dull and stiff.

Figure 1: Material selection, recycled and re-purposed vinyl billboard, image source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/92534967313929824/?lp=true]

I first required the vinyl billboard from RepurposedMATERIALS, I went to their location in brighton instead of ordering from their website (https://www.repurposedmaterialsinc.com/). Their address was 13505 E 112th Ave, Brighton, CO 80603, and I got to view several of their vinyl billboards. I decided on a green texture as it caught my eye the most.

Figure 2: This is the vinyl billboard. Cut from the darker green texture for the body and the left pocket. I used the lighter green side for the right pocket of my wallet .

III. DESIGN PROCESS

Some designs that I observed for wallets was both minimalist, but still highly functional. The design for my specific wallet can be seen in the image below at the bottom right corner, a simple fold-wallet that would have plenty of space for my cards and ample area for cash within the inner pockets. I chose this over the others as it had the second most pockets without looking like a standard wallet like the one seen next to it, and requiring plenty of stitching for a very aesthetic look.

Figure 3: Some Bexar Goods Wallets, very simple designs but very functional and very nice hand stitching that I like, in terms of an aesthetic. Image Source: https://www.bexargoods.com/products/simple-card-wallet-woodland

Initial hand sketching was done to visualize the design of the wallet and what dimensions I wanted the wallet to be, to get a feel for size and function. Did not do CAD sketching as the wallet is very minimalist, as intended.

Figure 4: Hand sketching of the main piece of vinyl fabric of the wallet.

Figure 5: Added pockets onto fig. 4.

IV. MANUFACTURING PROCESS

To be able to stitch, I had to learn how to sew. The ITLL as well as the Idea forge both have very nice sewing machines that students can use. I followed the instruction book at the sewing station and learned how to sew.

Figure 6: A preview to the instructional steps of the Instruction Book, this is page 13.

The workstation provided all necessary equipment for my initial progress as well.

Figure 7: Various measuring devices, thread colors (different shades of green and white), needles, and cutting devices are at the work station.

Figure 8: ITLL sewing machine used.

I first began creating the wallet by cutting a 4.5″ x 6″ rectangle out of the dark green side of the vinyl billboard, this formed the main external fold of the wallet. I then cut out  4.5″ x 3″ rectangles for the back of the large pocket, 0.75″ x 3″ rectangles for the middle divider, and 3.5″ x 3″ rectangles for the top side of the smaller pocket. The following are the steps I took to make assemble the wallet:

1. I stacked these rectangles on top of each other, starting with the largest (4.5″ x 6″) rectangle, the divider, and the small front pocket.
2. Placed one pocket on the right side of the wallet, lipped over a little bit of the edge of the main fold over the pocket, and used gorilla glue for initial structure of the pocket.
3. Sewed the glued connection with an ITLL sewing machine.
4. Repeated steps 1-3 for the left side of the wallet.

Figure 9: Vinyl billboard wallet isometric

Figure 10: Vinyl billboard wallet isometric (back)

Figure 11: Vinyl billboard wallet isometric (side)

Figure 12: Vinyl billboard wallet top view

Figure 13: Vinyl billboard wallet front view

V. CONCLUSION

I have used the wallet for about a week now. I accidentally left it in one of my pockets of one of my pants that I placed in the laundry, but the wallet held up quite well, it even added some texture to the wallet itself. The only slight damage can be seen on the bottom side of the right pocket, which I intend to restitch. Overall, I am very happy in what I have made, and I intend make more wallets, maybe of different color if I find the material, such as black, gold, or red. In terms of lessons learned, I should have bought a few more vinyl billboards of different colors, it was quite a long drive, and I should have cut the left pocket rectangle a little finer so it wouldn’t jut out as it is currently, after being washed in the washing machine.

VI. REFERENCES

¹McKinnon, Peter, director. The Best Minimalist EDC Wallets. YouTube, YouTube, 17 Dec. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sPtKl00iDc.

²Lehr, Christopher. “The Peter Mckinnon Aesthetic.” Aesthetics of Design, Jean Hertzberg, 28 Jan. 2020, www.aesdes.org/2020/01/22/the-peter-mckinnon-aesthetic/.