All design thinking, and technicalities aside, here is something fun...
Iv'e always been interested in doing soft and leather goods. Back at Element Case, during after hours when everyone was gone and I was the last one in the office, I would make my own wallets just for fun - pick my leathers, pleathers and liners, make 2D vector drawings on AI, send it to the laser cutter, then off to Joanne's Fabrics for the essential sewing supplies and voila! - I would have my very own wallet in a couple of hours...actually, more like 2-3 hours of excruciating hand sewing. This process went on several times until I made a wallet that I really liked, and used it to the death! Geez I must have a wallet grave yard somewhere in my house...
The types of products that you just do out of your own will are those that are made out of passion. Its because you REALLY want to solve something or like me, you just simply want to rock a bad ass wallet. When you have the motivation and drive to make something cool, it is your nature's calling...so own it and take it all the way if you really believe in it! That was the case with me on this project. I always had a weird obsession with wallets, but it was so hard for me to find the perfect one that fit my lifestyle. I would use one for a short while and then swap it out for one that I thought was better...until I found one that was better than that one. Come to think of it, for wallet users, your wallet is one of your daily best friends - it carries your money, identity, your business and more. Yes, there are several iPhone apps that slim the bulk in your pocket. With Apple Pay available, many people have even stopped carrying wallets all together! But the way I see it, like a pen/pencil drawings vs. Sketchbook Pro, I believe there is a tangible nostalgia about a wallet that an app can never beat. Maybe it's the smell or texture of the leather. For some it might be the feel of crisp dollar bills that are pulled out of it that makes a man feel like a baller. For me, a wallet is an essential everyday carry and one of man's most basic tools that is an extension of himself - his identity, his style and his money.
This project technically started 2 years ago when I started making my wallets at Element Case. Since then, wallets have gained so much popularity in the design world. Up until now, with several iterations of my own wallet designs, the evolution has come to a wallet that I think is on the top of the food chain. So now that I have my own company (Dango Products), might as well launch the most over the top wallet that I call a block of "BAD ASS" in my pockets! I don't want to say too much now...but here are some teasers. stay tuned and learn more! Dango Wallets will be launching off on Kickstarter soon(some where between July and August)
