Talk about cutting edge!
Here's a clever idea - tote bags and gear for the office that double as cutting surfaces
ARCHITECT-PRODUCT designers Teerapol Akaratiwa and Warunya Nuntasunti have come out with a successful line of lifestyle products inspired by their work routine. Other architects and designers – and in fact any urbanites who are constantly on the move – would do well to check out what’s on offer.
The couple’s tote bag, handbag, document folder, storage tube, sketchbook, pencil case and passport-holder catch the eye with their distinctive material. It looks like the heavy-duty green grid mats used when cutting up items, but it’s soft, smooth and lightweight, while still being sturdy enough to resist cuts.
Tote bag
That’s the neat thing – you can cut stuff up right on the surface of any of these items.
Both 28 and Chulalongkorn University graduates in architecture, Teerapol and Warunya founded Least Studio three years ago. But they spent all of last whole developing this unique material of 100-per-cent para rubber, chemically processed to withstand the slice of a sharp blade. Durable and yet light enough to sew in segments, it’s been duly patented.
Document Folder
The folder made from this stuff to hold A4-size documents and a tablet computer won a Design Excellence Award (DEMark) from the Commerce Ministry’s Department of International Trade Promotion.
“The rubber cutting mat on my desk would be too heavy and hard to use in lifestyle products,” says Teerapol. “But at the Department of Industrial Promotion’s D-Space project for entrepreneurs, we talked about how the material had a lot of limitations. The design gurus encouraged us to develop a new material on our own. They said if we were successful, it would become a strong point for our studio brand.”
“Luckily,” adds Warunya, “we have friends who run a factory that makes rubber components for cars and got to work with their researchers to develop a material that’s non-slip, scratch-proof and waterproof.
“It didn’t scratch or break when we tested it with a doctor’s scalpel. You can cut through 10 layers of A4-size paper at a time without damaging the surface. The grid pattern is coated with a substance so it won’t break when folded. We went through several prototypes to get it light enough to carry, yet be durable and of high quality and durability.”
Clutch
They marked the collection at the middle of this year, both online and at several design shops. Teerapol points out the sewn-binding sketchbooks – there are two, in A5 and A6 sizes.
“The gimmick is in the centrespread, where the words ‘Flip to cut’ are printed. You can open the book out flat and use the front or back cover as a cutting mat.”
The natural rubber material – easily cleaned with silicone wax – meets artificial leather in the tote bag, handbag, clutch and storage tube. Inside the bags is suede as well, along with organiser pockets.
The handbag has a strap to be worn over the shoulder or across the body and the passport-holder has slots for name cards and a boarding pass.
All the items are available in green or black, and grey will be a third option in the next collection.
The Department of Industrial Promotion sent the Least Studio collection to last year’s Hong Kong Gifts Fair as part of a Thai designers’ showcase. And Pinkoi, an Asia-wide e-commerce platform for designer start-ups, lists the products and displayed them at its pop-up store during the recent Tokyo Design Week.
A SLICE OF GENIUS
>> The cutting mat collection by Least Studio is available online via Facebook and Instagram. Just look for “LeastStudio”.
>> They’re also sold at ODS at Siam Discovery, Roomconceptstore at EmQuartier, and ThinkSpace at Central Festival East Ville.
