Tag: Design (page 2 of 9)
Those of you that frequent my blog on a regular basis will know that I am a big fan of Bellroy’s lovely wallets and leather goods.
I was chatting with the lovely Nashata from Bellroy about their new range of bags – the Duo Work Bag is on my Christmas list – and was delighted to be offered the opportunity to check out their Passport Sleeve.
I’m not due to fly for a couple of weeks, which makes it sound like I fly far more than I do, so in advance of a full review I thought I’d do one of those new fangled unboxing so beloved of YouTubers.
Here goes…
I always enjoy the understated elegance of Bellroy’s packaging – the outside belying the delights within.
Classic Bellroy attention to detail; the refill for the mini pen has its own slot within the packaging, most other manufacturers would have either not included one or just tucked it inside.
The Bellroy Passport Sleeve in all its glory.
Loaded and ready to fly.
Next stop Pixel Pioneers in Belfast
I’ve tried a number of keyboards and keyboard cases for the iPad, and my favourite by far is the Logitech Keys to Go keyboard. I’m typing this very sentence on it now.
So what makes the Keys to Go so good?
I prefer a keyboard that is separate from the iPad, as it gives me more flexibility when I’m typing. I can raise the iPad up closer to eye level for example, and keep the keyboard where it needs to be for typing.
A separate keyboard allows me to use the Smart Cover on the iPad, keeping it light and easy to hold when I’m not typing.
These two things alone make the Apple Smart Keyboard a non-starter.
The Keys to Go has another significant advantage over the Smart Keyboard – an extra row of control keys including media and volume controls, a home button, even a screenshot button.
It’s beyond me why the Apple Smart Keyboard doesn’t have these.
Which just leaves the all important feel of the keyboard.
Everyone has personal preferences when it comes to keyboards, and I really like the Keys to Go. I find I type more accurately on my Keys to Go than on my Magic Keyboard.
The keys have a surprising amount of travel given the very flat design; there’s a very positive feel on pressing the keys, not a click, but reassuring tactile feedback.
Oh and did I mention it’s splash-proof? Handy should you spill your Flat White.
The Logitech Keys to Go makes the iPad a genuine laptop alternative for when I’m away from my desk.
And it appears to be on offer on the Logitech site – order one now, thank me later.
Most people make the mistake of thinking design is what it looks like. People think it’s this veneer – that the designers are handed this box and told, “Make it look good!” That’s not what we think design is. It’s not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.
The lovely people at Bellroy recently asked me if I’d like to take a look at their new Micro Sleeve wallet. Now as you know I have a minimal wallet habit and having been intrigued by the Micro Sleeve since it’s release I happily said yes.
I’ve been using the Bellroy Micro Sleeve as my “daily carry” and thought I’d share my thoughts on this great little wallet.
Design and Construction
The Bellroy Micro Sleeve is designed to hold between two to four cards plus a few folded bank notes. At the moment I’m not travelling much, and only need to carry my bank card and my Drivers Licence for ID, which makes the Micro Sleeve just about perfect.
The Micro Sleeve has two slots on the outside for your cards and a single pocket in between for your cash – squeezing the ends of the Micro Sleeve opens up the cash pocket allowing easy access to your cash.
This design made me think of the simple coin pockets we had as kids back in the 70s day, made from plastic, and generally covered with pictures of the Smurfs or Snoopy. The top was kept closed by two flat steel springs, you squeezed the ends to open the pocket, which would close with a snap somewhere between satisfying and terrifying.
I had initially assumed that the Micro Sleeve used a stiffener of some sort to create the spring loading of the cash slot, but after a couple of weeks in a moment of idle examination I noticed that it is in fact just leather.
The whole wallet is two sheets of leather folded and glued and sewn together, the springiness comes from the leather itself and the opening is controlled by a cleverly placed slit on each side of the inside of the wallet.
The only issue I have with the design isn’t really an issue with the design… It’s an issue I’ve mentioned before, it’s the comedically large bank notes we have here in the UK requiring each note has to be folded three times for it to fit the Micro Sleeve cash slot. So when carrying more than a few notes the slim profile of the Micro Sleeve can be affected and we wouldn’t want that would we?
The Micro Sleeve is made from some of the nicest leather I’ve seen, I wonder if the quality and inherent stiffness of the leather is needed to facilitate the spring design and ensure it’s longevity.
I’ve been using the Micro Sleeve for four weeks or so and it’s wearing beautifully. I fully expect the outside to take on a lovely patina as it wears over time – a future candidate for Aged to Perfection.
The Colour
I usually buy black accessories, but you may remember I was really adventurous with the Bellroy Elements Phone Pocket and chose grey.
Bellroy have a lovely range of colours for the Micro Sleeve and so this time I went “full disco” and chose the frankly gorgeous Caramel.
Caramel is a beautiful colour and is twinned with a darker chocolate brown on the front of the wallet for a very stylish and classic combination. I chose Caramel as I hoped it would age nicely, adding depth of colour and based on the first few weeks it looks as though it will.
Final Thoughts
I have tried a number of slim or minimal wallets over the last few years and the Bellroy Micro Sleeve is without doubt the best designed, best constructed and frankly nicest of them all.
The simplicity, cleverness and elegance of the design of the Micro Sleeve make me love it even more.
If you are looking to slim your wallet I highly recommend the Bellroy Micro Sleeve, it’s a real beauty.
