Diseño de una colección de bolsos masculinos transformables aplicando técnicas de plegado con reutilización de retazos de cuero

Abstract

The leather goods industry in the province of Tungurahua generates large amounts of leather waste that is rarely reintroduced into the production cycle, posing an environmental problem and representing a missed design opportunity. This project, titled “Design of a Collection of Transformable Men’s Bags Using Folding Techniques and the Reuse of Leather Scraps,” aimed to design a collection of transformable men’s bags for the company Lama Glama, focusing on functionality, adaptability, and contemporary aesthetics through the use of folding techniques and the reuse of leather scraps. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach and an integrative project methodology. The sample consisted of 20 male university professors aged 30 to 60 from the School of Design and Architecture at the Technical University of Ambato, selected through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with designers and master artisans, observation sheets were used to determine the viability of reused leather, and experimentation sheets were used to evaluate the selected folding techniques, employing the Design Thinking methodology as the creative core of the design process. The results showed that users prioritize functionality, durability, and a minimalist aesthetic. Furthermore, the feasibility of reused leather and the effectiveness of modular and structural folding techniques for developing transformable accessories were demonstrated. As a result, a collection of six men’s bags was designed, demonstrating that the reuse of leather scraps constitutes an innovate and sustainable strategy that meets the needs of the professional user and incorporates principles of the circular economy into the contemporary design of men’s accessories.