TEREZIE KRÍSOVÁ

Ruksak 2.0

Product Design Studio

The original Ruksak was mainly about upcycling advertisement banners while the new collection is more based around the cut and technical solutions. How did you decide on a recognizable brand symbol?
I have always tried to go for minimalist cuts that let the print on banner products stand out. When I started working with single-color technical materials, it opened space for the fine details, which suddenly became much more visible. I decided to avoid prominent elements and focus on achieving the greatest possible simplicity in detail and processing. The collection naturally acquired its recognizable character through this process.

You focus on sustainability, but at the same time work with new technological materials and quality components often made by foreign manufacturers. How do you define responsible design throughout this process?
For me, responsible design is about making compromises and finding a conscious balance. Despite my initial efforts to use local sources, I decided to cooperate with foreign suppliers and I was successful in finding materials with the required properties. Technical parameters and high-quality components are key to the product’s long life and I also emphasized ethics and production transparency. Local production allows me to ensure follow-up service and potential repairs, which I see as an essential part of sustainability.

Techwear aesthetics are very expressive and have been changing rapidly. When creating them, do you consider the timeliness of your collections and the ways they can stay popular when trends change? And what interests you most in the relationship between a person and their product – its lifespan, or the bond that a person creates with it, or both?
I don’t want to be subject to trends, so I work with minimalist, timeless cuts that are universal for diverse environments. I consider this important also because of the complex recycling process of functional materials. I design the product so that it can be used for as long as possible. This also includes educating users about proper care, which further extends its lifespan. At the same time, it shouldn’t be something that people are afraid to use. I chose materials that can handle everyday loads, from school to trips to shopping. I want the bag to be a universal item and suit every situation.

photo: Polina Davydenko