Several days ago, I received my first order for creating bags. Since I am still a beginner, there are limits to what I can do. I have to focus on a simple product. However, I want to add a special element.
That made me think about my philosophy toward my products. Let’s talk about it.
What is our specialty?
Sometimes, we want to add special elements to our products. That impresses others, even if we are beginners. A beginner with one outstanding strength shows people his potential for the future.
However, we sometimes don’t know which element to add. Every special point appears attractive. It means all of them are unremarkable for us to pick up.
One solution is to eliminate contradictions by examining products philosophically. That could reveal your underlying philosophy toward your products. Today, I will explain it with my recent experience.
Looking at things from a philosophical perspective
Try analyzing many products or skills based on your philosophy and eliminating unnecessary elements from them. In other words, we try to exclude abstract concepts instead of adding something specific. That might show you what to focus on.
To make it easier to understand, let’s look at my recent experience.
I needed to plan three bags for the order. However, I didn’t know what to create. That made me search for bag designs on the internet.
When I looked around at various designs, I realized that the designs of unrefined bags had common elements: they are philosophically contradictory.
In my case, I am sewing remodeled bags from used jeans. The purpose of remodeling is frugality. It values simplicity, functionality, creativity, reusing damaged things, and environmental sustainability.
It is the opposite style of mass consumption, which implies relying on money, pursuing short-term trends, adding new items, disposing of damaged things, and showing off wealth that wastes resources unnecessarily.
Eliminating inconsistency
It means that intricate designs, decorations, and waste of resources that evoke luxury don’t suit remodeling. It denies the essence of frugality.
However, such contradictory products frequently appear in amateur creations. They added ribbons, intricate patchwork, and waste fabric unnecessarily. Those luxury elements often negate the meaning of remodeling.
Interestingly, top-level creators were faithful to that aspect. They eliminated unnecessary decorations and added an aged appearance that looked worn from long use. It makes it appear as if the owner of the bag has cherished it for a long time. Then, the creator finishes geometrically beautifully.
Their products have followed the philosophy of frugality, so they are beautiful even in their simplicity.
That allowed me to let go of unnecessary decorative skills. I like frugality, simplicity, and functionality. I realized that that process integrated my personality into my work.
Our works are reflections of our personalities. That might be the best state to accept and express ourselves.
Conclusion
That is the logic of adding special elements to our products.
Try looking at many products based on your philosophy and eliminate unnecessary elements from them.
In other words, we try to exclude abstract concepts instead of adding something specific.
That might show you what to focus on.
Thank you for reading this article. I hope to see you in the next one.
