One Year in the Making: The LOCHBY Mini Field Journal
In early 2024, our team embarked on an exciting journey to innovate our product line. We gathered invaluable feedback from our customers, conducting extensive research on new product ideas that would truly serve your needs. After numerous brainstorming sessions, we decided it was time to involve you directly—our community—to tell us what you really wanted.
Fans of our flagship Field Journal love its versatility and rugged durability, but some wanted something smaller for everyday carry. Many asked for a journal that was as portable as our Pocket Journal, but with more room for creativity and planning. The Mini Field Journal bridges that gap—compact yet capable, it’s designed for those who want the best of both worlds.
The Survey: What’s Next for LOCHBY?
In June, we launched a survey to determine which new LOCHBY product you wanted to see next. Here were the options:
- Zippered Field Journal: An A5-sized journal with a convenient zipper to secure your notes and accessories.
- Slimmer Pocket Journal: A compact version designed to hold a notebook and a couple of pens for effortless portability.
- Thicker Pocket Journal: An upgraded version of the Pocket Journal with ample storage for more than two notebooks, perfect for those who need extra space on the go.
With fantastic interest in all three options, our team got to work on bringing them to life. The thicker pocket journal ultimately inspired the creation of the Mini Field Journal!
The Design Process: Crafting the Perfect Journal
Our design principles centered around three key elements:
- Size: Keeping the dimensions similar to the Pocket Journal for maximum portability.
- Increased Capacity: Allowing room for more notebooks to accommodate your busy life.
- Integrated Features: Responding to user feedback, we added an integrated pen loop and adopted an elastic system like the one in our Field Journal, allowing you to easily insert multiple notebooks and swap out old ones.
After several design iterations, we arrived at two intriguing options, differentiated primarily by their hook design: one rugged and iconic, the other elegantly flatter.
Another Survey: Your Opinion Matters!
Next, we conducted another survey to determine which clasp resonated more with our community. We asked:
Which clasp do you prefer for the Mini Field Journal? 🤔
- Option 1: 15mm Band
- Option 2: 20mm Band
To our surprise, the elegant clasp received more votes, revealing a clear preference among our community for a refined design over the rugged aesthetic.
The Benefits of the Mini Field Journal
We’re thrilled to maintain the practicality of the Field Journal while introducing several key benefits:
- Compact and Versatile: Pocket-sized design that fits effortlessly in any bag—perfect for journaling, sketching, or even acting as a wallet.
- Durable and Stylish: Crafted from water-resistant waxed canvas and featuring a chic aluminum hook for an elegant touch.
- Organized and Functional: Designed with an elastic system that accommodates up to four pocket-sized notebooks, alongside storage for cards and stickers to keep your essentials neatly organized.
What’s Next?
Exciting times are ahead! To stay up-to-date on the LOCHBY Mini Field Journal, visit our Mini Field Journal page for the latest updates. We can't wait to share more about this innovative product with you—stay tuned!
