Lucas Barnes

Circular Product Designer

About Me

ProfileDesign EthosDesign Process

Highlight Work

'UniPrep' Portable Meal SystemCactus-Skin Wallets'Treevas' Sustainable ClothingCrafting & Materials ExplorationVisual Storytelling Practice

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Cactus-Skin Wallets

B

orn from a newfound love for leathercraft and plant-based materials, I researched, designed, and sold these cactus-skin wallets under my LLC, titled "Treevas Goods Co." via Etsy. Originally an extension of my clothing line, these wallets are of original, sustainable design. I handcrafted each one using a plant-based leather alternative, Desserto.

Contribution: All My Work
Timeline: ~1.5 Years (On and Off)
Material: Desserto Cactus Skin, Waxed Thread
Date Completed: July 2022
Association: Personal Project under Treevas LLC

A Grant-Funded Project

After releasing my first clothing line in 2020, I connected with someone who invited me to join the international youth climate action group "Earth Uprising."

The organization informed me of their new microgrant program—partnered with the popular search engine Ecosia, titled Earth Uprising x Ecosia—through which I was awarded the funds to afford the tools and materials for this project.

Developing Form and Personality

1 — Prototypes

I thoroughly considered color, tactility, ease of use, and manufacturing turnover time (because I would be handcrafting each one), with feedback from friends and family.

Arranged chronologically from left to right, then top to bottom, with the final in the bottom right.

2 — Workshop

My wallets' production process was unique, and my home workshop setup reflected this.

3 — Craft

Watch me handcraft my flagship wallet.

After my first year selling, I was able to craft a wallet in under 45 minutes.

4 — Packaging

Each customer received these packaging inserts with a credit card-sized slip inserted into each wallets' card pocket that detailed when and how it was made.

Packaging was 100% recycled and 100% recyclable with a "vintage" style aesthetic attributed to the timeless quality and feel of my wallets.

Sustainability — Renewable Materials and Quality Craft

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rom the outset, I wanted a leather alternative that retained the high-quality, luxurious feel of animal leather. Desserto, a 90% bio-based material, emits ~1,864% less carbon-equivalent emissions during production. It is not perfect as

some of their products have polyester backing, so end-of-life is challenging. However, it is a promising material that could become fully circular. I also curated a highly personalized customer experience that goes a long way to foster emotional value with our possessions.