ariane c design, a communication design studio specializing in art direction, graphic design, logo identity, copy editing, proofreading and web design

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  • Jan16

    BUILT: Cargo Camera Bag

    Posted in: Electronic Accessories, Photography, Product Design, Reviews

    BUILT Cargo Camera Bag

    Together with BUILT’S Cargo Travel Organizer, I was on the go with their Cargo Camera Bag last week. I’ve seen a lot of BUILT’s popular neoprene laptop sleeves around town, but their camera bags haven’t (yet!) taken off in Vancouver.

    BUILT Cargo Camera Bag
    [The Cargo Camera Bag, just out of the package]

    Both are made by BUILT NY, a company specializing in colourful, functional neoprene bags, cases, and totes for a wide range of products and accessories.

    BUILT Cargo Camera Bag

    I tried fitting various gear into many configurations, but the best set up for me was my Nikon D90 DSLR body with a 35mm prime lens attached, an 18-200mm zoom lens, a Nikon SB-700 speed light plus a point and shoot Canon and its charger. This should give readers an idea as to how much will comfortably fit inside the camera bag.

    BUILT Cargo Camera Bag

    With the above collection of gear, fitting a DSLR charger and cord made it just a wee bit too tight to zip up. I imagine that packing in a smaller zoom lens would solve the problem. There’s also a large version of this bag available, with an extra compartment for carrying one more lens.

    BUILT Cargo Camera Bag

    The padded shoulder strap is adjustable and clips to the bag on alternate sides, helping to better distribute the weight of the gear. I also like the bag’s carry handle that makes grabbing it a cinch.

    BUILT Cargo Camera Bag

    As with BUILT products, the material is neoprene, stain resistant, and easy to hand wash and drip dry. The Cargo Camera Bag also contains semi-firm EVA in its construction. The removable compartments have velcro sewn onto their edges, allowing them to fit different camera body sizes and gear. There’s also padding in the base of the bag to provide an additional layer of protection.

    BUILT Cargo Camera Bag

    The four interior pockets can hold anything from an iPhone to a Pixel Pocket Rocket digital card holder, small wallet, etc. I’m pretty pleased with these pockets located just inside both sides of the bag, making it an easy grab for anything small that I need to access.

    BUILT Cargo Camera Bag

    The Cargo Camera Bag’s dimensions are 13.5″ (34.3 cm) wide, 11″ (28 cm) high, and 5.5″ (14 cm) deep and retails for $69.99 US. It’s available online in Canada from Macinbag for $79.99 CDN.

    Disclosure note for review: I was sent the Cargo Camera Bag for the purpose of writing this review: cmply.2

  • Jan13

    BUILT: Cargo Travel Organizer

    Posted in: Electronic Accessories, Product Design, Reviews

    BUILT collection of bags

    BUILT is a New York based company best known for its line of neoprene laptop sleeves, bags, and bottle totes. I’ve been a fan of their products for years, and was recently reacquainted with their unique goods via this year’s Meshwest Conference. Mesh, BUILT (and promotional agency Rightsleeve) worked together in branding the Slim Neoprene Messenger Bag for the 2011 conference.

    BUILT Cargo Travel Organizer

    While on the (continual) hunt for well-designed ways to transport gadgets and accessories, I came across another popular item in the collection: the Cargo Travel Organizer. Being out and about with laptops, cameras, and smart phone chargers, I’ve grown accustomed to packing these necessities into my various laptop bags. BUILT has taken this one step further with a slim-profiled zippered case.

    BUILT Cargo Travel Organizer

    BUILT Cargo Travel Organizer

    I received the Organizer in black (with powder blue interior accents inside the pockets); the case also comes in City Grid/Orange, Navy Blue, and Scatter Dot. I like the curvy shape typical of many of their laptop products. As well, the carrying strap features the logo on a plastic shape that mimics the bag, another cool, well thought out design addition.

    BUILT Cargo Travel Organizer

    The bag can be bulked up with your cables, chargers, USB drives, etc. and still maintain a thin profile once zipped up.

    BUILT Cargo Travel Organizer

    It will stretch to accommodate a variety of stuff. It’s easy to maintain (via hand washing and drip drying) and is stain-resistant. The carrying strap is also easy to remove.

    BUILT Cargo Travel Organizer

    I own a messenger bag that the Cargo Travel Organizer can fit inside of, and the best use of the organizer would be in a suitcase, backpack, or other carrier/tote that will also accommodate your portable electronics. I was even able to tuck in a portable hard drive, as the photo below shows.

    BUILT Cargo Travel Organizer

    The organizer measures 11.4″ (29 cm) wide, 6″ (15.2 cm) high, and .9″ (2.3 cm) deep. I’m sure I’ll be getting a lot of use out of this, and plan to take it travelling in order to further road test it.

    BUILT Cargo Travel Organizer

    The Cargo Travel Organizer retails for $24.99 US and is available online in Canada via Macinbag for $29.99 CDN.

    Disclosure note for review: I was sent the Cargo Travel Organizer for the purpose of writing this review: cmply.2

  • Mar23

    Icebreaker TouchLab Kitsilano Launch

    Posted in: Branding, Events, Product Design, Vancouver

    Last night, I attended Icebreaker’s TouchLab store launch in Kitsilano. I’d been curious enough to visit the store last weekend as it’s in my neck of the woods, but it was at the event that I learned about the Icebreaker brand (and its products) in detail from CEO Jeremy Moon.

    Icebreaker NZ CEO Jeremy Moon
    [Icebreaker NZ CEO Jeremy Moon]

    Ramotaur and Nature Girl
    [Ramotaur and Nature Girl]
    Read the rest of the post »

  • Sep1

    Griffin Outfit Ice for iPhone4

    Posted in: Reviews, Technology

    I just received the new Griffin Outfit Ice case for the iPhone4 and thought I’d take it for a spin.

    Compared to a bumper case I’d recently used on the phone, this one is a winner right out the box: It’s lighter and all of the ports remain exposed for ease of use.


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  • Aug10

    Speck TuckPack Laptop Sleeve + Contest

    Posted in: Contests, Product Design, Reviews

    Speck Notebook Carrying Sleeve

    While the tech world waits for third party iPhone4 case vendors to catch up with Apple’s latest must-have product, I thought in the meantime I’d review a lovely and functional laptop sleeve. Speck Products‘ TuckPack is available in 13″ and 15″ sizes to fit most laptops.

    Speck TuckPack exterior

    What first drew me in was the soft, fuzzy microfleece interior. The lining is really plush and hugs the laptop. The bag is lightweight and available in both a checkerboard (Restart Greyscale Pixel) and pinstripe (Speakeasy Grey Pinstripe) pattern design. The TuckPack is a great way to pack just your laptop when a larger bag isn’t needed.
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  • Jul19

    The Knog Dry Dog

    Posted in: Illustration, Product Design, Reviews

    A new pannier has recently caught my eye: Knog’s Dry Dog. The Dry Dog is part of Knog’s new line of cleverly-named panniers including the Dutch Dog, Saddle Dog, Leading Dog, and Big Dog.


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  • Jul6

    Sawako Furuno: Urban Bike Chic

    Posted in: Cycling, Product Design, Reviews

    As summer continues on in Vancouver (now complete with sunshine), I continually seek out well-designed and useful accessories to get me around town in style and promote cycling as a daily event rather than a workout.

    I was recently sent a beautiful Sawako Furuno Hanabi style helmet to road test and review. Sawako Furuno is a UK-based cycle accessory and clothing label for women. Furuno, originally from Tokyo, is a trained architect who has always been passionate about design. As a regular London cyclist, she was keen to design products that would stand out from the typical range of unattractive cycling accessories and apparel. “The brand is about being feminine, stylish and having fun on your bike”, according to Cycle Fashion.


    Read the rest of the post »

  • Jun14

    The Very Portable iHome iPod Dock

    Posted in: Gadgets, Product Design, Reviews, Technology

    Just back from our Maui trip, where I had the chance to test-drive the iHome iH16G portable iPod dock/alarm clock/stereo system. Made to hold either 4 “AA” batteries or use the supplied universal voltage adaptor, I was blown away by how a tiny unit like this (7 1/2″ high x 2 1/2″ wide) could deliver good sound on the go. We’re not big TV watchers on a vacation, but having your own tunes to come home to after a day spent snorkeling in the water is well appreciated.


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  • May25

    Axiom’s New Mercato Shopper

    Posted in: Cycling, Product Design, Reviews

    Thought I’d get a new pannier/shopping bag in time to kick off both the Farmer’s Market season and June Bike Month in Vancouver.

    Axiom Mercato shopper
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  • Apr30

    The Crumpler Hee-Goer

    Posted in: Product Design, Reviews

    In Vancouver, BC, trying to hunt down a laptop sleeve for my new 13″ Macbook Pro wasn’t as easy as I’d imagined it was going to be. Many stores carry sleeves that accommodate 15″ and 17″ models, but for some reason don’t offer a wealth of choice when it comes to the more portable 13″ flavour. I opted for a laptop bag instead, and got my hands on the fashionably red Crumpler Hee-Goer.

    Crumpler Hee-Goer
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