Small Details, Big Decisions: Designing the Cartelle Companion
From the shape of the leather cover to the placement of every pocket and eyelet, discover the small design decisions that make a Cartelle Companion.
When we started developing the Cartelle Companion, we had a fairly clear idea of what we wanted: a beautifully designed leather cover that could hold several notebooks and keepsakes, be personalised, and travel between work, home and everywhere in between.
Combining traditional craftsmanship and British manufacturing wherever possible, with a contemporary design aesthetic.
We also wanted to simplify the decisions for our customers. No complicated choices of pocket configurations and cover shapes. We'd work out the best options, leaving customers to focus on the fun parts: colour and personalisation.
Getting everything to work together took rather more thought than we initially imagined, and involved a surprising number of decisions!
A place for everything
One of the first decisions was the shape of the cover. We settled on a tri-fold design, giving the Companion its pleasing silhouette while keeping everything neatly together. We made sure the folding flap was generous enough to accommodate several notebooks without feeling strained or leaving an awkward gap.
Inside, we tried different pocket configurations before settling on a large central pocket for loose papers and other bits and pieces, alongside two smaller pockets for tickets and cards you might want to keep visible and display.
We also paid attention to the thickness of the leather used for the pockets, making sure they were practical without adding unnecessary bulk.
Interchangeable notebooks
Rather than permanently binding paper into the leather, we use an elastic cord system to hold the notebook refills in place. This means you can carry different notebooks for different purposes, remove one when you need it and replace it when it's full.
The elastic cord itself became another design decision. It needed to hold everything securely, have sealed ends to prevent fraying, and come in a good range of colours to complement both the different leathers and individual styles.
It's all in the details
Then there were the smaller decisions that all made a difference to how a Companion looks and functions. How rounded should the corners be? What stitch length works best? Where exactly should the brass eyelets be positioned? How much room should we allow for the pockets?
Each detail had to work both practically and visually. Some decisions were straightforward; others involved samples, adjustments and another round of testing.
Designed to be yours
Personalisation was part of the design from the very beginning, rather than something added at the end.
The leather and cord colours, embossing and optional talisman allow you to make the Companion your own. Bold and colourful, or classic and understated, the choice is yours!