The Nightmare Before Christmas Patchwork Tote
As a huge Tim Burton fan, I took great delight in developing a unique handbag that celebrates The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). Below is the process of bringing this tote bag project to life.
Inspiration
Drawing inspiration from a very successful bag template in The Bradford Exchange’s catalog, I thought this patchwork-style tote bag would be perfect for showcasing the variety of beloved characters from the movie.
concept mock-ups
Before determining the final design, I presented several preliminary concepts to my team for review and approval. Below is the journey from the first to the final draft.
Previous Drafts
Final Approved Design
Specs & Quoting
Once my concept was approved both internally and by the licensor, I created a general spec pack to quote the project with various international vendors. Below is a slideshow containing the specs sent to initiate project quoting.
PRoofing Artwork
Once the project’s cost of goods was finalized, I created proofing artwork files for the various character patches based on the final concept mockup.
Bag Sampling
Once the proofing artwork was uploaded to the chosen vendor, it was time to bring the bag to life. Below are photos documenting the bag’s journey from fabric swatch to final production proof.
Fabric Swatches
First, solid swatches of PU leather were reviewed and selected for the trim, handles, and non-character art patches of the bag.
Character patches
Next, several rounds of strike-offs were created to perfect the patches containing character artwork. Fabric texture, print quality, and accurate coloration were each considered to ensure that the final product would exceed customer and licensor expectations.
Initially, poly twill patches were considered. However, our team ultimately decided to switch to PU leather patches instead for a more elevated, high-quality look.
Final Product
After months of dedication and collaboration, The Nightmare Before Christmas Patchwork Tote was approved and ready to hit the market!
