Inspiration

ESSENTIALS – Curating Personal Items Each Creative Can’t Live Without

by . November 14th, 2013

Ever wondered what are the essential things inside a designer’s bag? You might expect some pens and coloring tools inside the personal bag of an illustrator or some make-up kit and accessories in a fashion blogger’s bag. But you’ll be surprised that some creatives of the same professions have some personal things very unusual that speak with their personality and style.

A recent project by Daniel Eckler, an Interactive Strategist from Canada, explored this concept. Taking a peek at some of the personal items creative people can’t live without is a rare opportunity. Daniel reached out to 100 global creatives to take photos of their essential items, compile and curate them in a visually stunning website called ESSENTIALS. From photographers and architects to designers and bloggers, the collection showcases a diverse view of a small piece from the lifestyle of these creatives through a peek at their personal items mostly found in their bags.

 

ESSENTIALS - Jiani Lu

Jiani Lu | Artist

 

Art directors, photographers, design bloggers and artists like Levi Van Veluw, Amy Woodside, Sarah Magwood, Ellen Van Der Laan, Dave Gorum, David Hertz, Tom Blachford and yours truly have contributed in the project. We got the chance to talk to Daniel about some background notes about this amazing idea. Check out the short interview below and some of our favorites from the collection.

 

Daniel EcklerYTD: Tell us some background of this project. When did the idea came and how it was realized?

DANIEL: We’ve been working on a brand called MIJLO this past year, focused on simple solutions + timeless products for small spaces. Small spaces need small closets, and it’s our belief that a backpack is one of the most essential pieces of clothing that someone can own.

We started with a Kickstarter campaign, A Better Backpack which is founded on the principles of timeless, minimal, sustainable, durable, etc. design.

We were looking at unique ways to promote the campaign, as well as do something fun with our creative friends, and the “Essentials” site made perfect sense.

YTD: What is the main goal of this project?

DANIEL: Our goal with both Essentials and A Better Backpack is primarily to start a discussion about sustainable design. Fast fashion is a big problem (debt, waste, social pressures, etc.) and we’re big believers in only buying what you need. Hence, “Essentials“!

YTD: Of all the submissions, which of them do you find most unusual yet very interesting?

DANIEL: I have lots of different favorites for lots of different reasons…as far as the most unusual, I think Matt Barnes from Westside Studio. There are lot of unique objects, that don’t feel like “essentials” intuitively, but looking at them all together, they really do feel like they’re essentials for Matt.

YTD: One thing you always have in your bag.

DANIEL: I keep everything I need in my pockets!

 ESSENTIALS - Joe Perez

Joe Perez | Art Director

ESSENTIALS - Matt Barnes

Matt Barnes | Photographer

ESSENTIALS - Justin Broadbent

Justin Broadbent | Artist

ESSENTIALS - Jin Kang

Jin Kang | Designer

ESSENTIALS - Tom Blachford

Tom Blachford | Photographer

ESSENTIALS - Levi Van Veluw

Levi Van Veluw | Artist

ESSENTIALS - Bryan Espiritu

Bryan Espiritu | Founder @ The Legends League

ESSENTIALS - Daniel Brokstad

Daniel Brokstad | Designer

ESSENTIALS - Thibault Zimmermann

Thibault Zimmermann | Art Director

ESSENTIALS - Nathalie Kapagiannidi

Nathalie Kapagiannidi | Owner @ Say What Studio

ESSENTIALS - Anja Verdugo

Anja Verdugo | Photographer

ESSENTIALS - Zagreus Bowery

Zagreus Bowery | Founder @ Public Illumination

ESSENTIALS - David Basulto

David Basulto | Founder @ Arch Daily

ESSENTIALS - Mike @ Gear Hungry

Mike @ Gear Hungry | Editor

Yours truly is honored to be a part of this project and below is the photo of my “essentials”.

ESSENTIALS - Cadence Wu

Cadence Wu | Blogger

SEE ALSO: Still Life Photography by Jim Golden

Now it’s your turn! What are your “essentials” or things you always have in your bags? Share it to us by leaving a comment below!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

YouTheDesigner is a graphic design blog under the UCreative Network. We do features; give away brushes, icons, wallpapers, and other freebies; and bring you the latest news in the world of graphic design.