ALPAKA x RMIT: NURTURING THE NEXT GENERATION OF AUSTRALIAN DESIGNERS

At ALPAKA, we're always seeking ways to push the boundaries of bag design and foster innovation in our industry. That's why we were thrilled to partner with the Industrial Design program at RMIT University last semester, supporting the next generation of designers as they explore the world of soft-goods design.

SEEDING INNOVATION

RMIT is woven into ALPAKA’s history. Our founders, Jin and Ramiro, are both alumni of the school, and that’s where the dream of ALPAKA first began. It’s also one of the leading technical universities in Australia, and happens to be in the heart of our hometown of Melbourne. So when instructor Ben Tang proposed a collaboration with his first-year industrial design course, we jumped at the opportunity. 

The challenge for the semester was deceptively simple: students had to conceptualize and fabricate a bag – any bag – from scratch. It’s the kind of hands-on blend of creativity and practicality that gets our gears turning, and reminds us of ALPAKA’s own initial design project, the 7ven Messenger. To kickstart their journey, we provided students with some of the tools of the trade, including our custom recycled Axoflux fabric, Maglockz magnetic buckles, straps and zippers. 

FROM SKETCH TO STITCH

To kick off the semester, we hosted an immersive workshop for the students, sharing insights into the design process and the complexity of bag-making. As first-year students in their first semester, most of them had no experience to lean on, and many had never sewn or constructed anything before. So, despite their enthusiasm, there was also a sense of “what have we gotten ourselves into?” We left them to their projects, unsure what we’d see when we came back at semester’s end. 

A SHOWCASE OF INGENUITY

Fast forward to the end of semester, and we had the privilege of attending the final student presentations. What we saw left us awestruck. The creativity, technical skill, and sheer dedication displayed by these first-year students was beyond anything we could have imagined.

The different approaches were fascinating. Some zeroed in on concept-driven designs, like a protest bag that transforms into a rubber bullet-resistant apron – a bold fusion of function and social commentary. Others let their artistic flair run wild, with one student crafting a series of bags with mesmerizing eye motifs.

Several designs were so polished, so market-ready, we could instantly see them sitting alongside ALPAKA's current product line. It was a mic-drop moment that spoke volumes about the students' talent and the future of soft-goods design in our own backyard. 

This student's protest-ready messenger unzips to become a protective apron, in case things get ugly. 

All eyes were on this student, who explored a visual motif across many types of bag.

This sling unfolds in a wearable utility vest, complete with accessory loops.

This student designed a dog backpack / harness that lets Rex carry his own gear.

Some of the designs were so polished, they were nearly production-ready.

CULTIVATING HOMEGROWN TALENT

This experience hits close to home for us. The same RMIT halls where our co-founders dreamed up ALPAKA are now shaping the future of the industry we’re passionate about. And we have the opportunity to be a part of it. 

We're all in on fostering Australian design talent. By mentoring these RMIT students we're not just shaping individual careers, we're stoking the fires of innovation in our local design scene. It's our way of ensuring that the creative pulse that drives ALPAKA keeps beating strong in Australia's design community.

LOOKING AHEAD

As the dust settles on this semester's success, we're already itching for the next round. This isn't a one-and-done deal for us – we're already on board for next semester. Each new batch of students brings fresh ideas and perspectives that keep us on our toes.

This experience has jolted our own creative circuits, reminding us that in design, the possibilities are endless. And who knows? The next game-changing ALPAKA design might just come from one of these RMIT talents.

Keep your eyes peeled for more updates on our community projects and collaborations. At ALPAKA, we're not just stitching bags - we're weaving the fabric of Australia's design future.