The Spark of Inspiration

In early 2024, our adventure to revamp the Lochby product line began, sparking excitement and electricity through our creative team’s veins. Eager to transform your creative journeys into seamless adventures, we wielded your invaluable feedback like a compass guiding us towards innovation. With a series of lively brainstorming sessions, as dynamic as our vibrant community, we set sail on this creative odyssey.

To steer our ship in the right direction, in June, we embarked on an exploration titled, "What’s Next for LOCHBY?"—a survey that asked you to help us shape your next indispensable tool. We presented a trio of tantalizing options:

• Zippered Field Journal: Visualize an A5-sized journal, equipped with a sleek zipper to keep your notes and accessories snug and secure.
• Slimmer Pocket Journal: A portable, compact design perfect for holding a trusty notebook and a pen or two—never before has portability been so chic!
• Thicker Pocket Journal: Our Pocket Journal evolved, boasting room for more than two notebooks—a spacious dream toolkit for on-the-go creatives!

The survey results rolled in with overwhelming enthusiasm, and our hero emerged: the Zippered Field Journal! Its functionality was a fan favorite, particularly the ability to safely store small items without the fear of fallout. This insight nudged us down the path to design the ultimate Field Folio!

Non-Negotiables: Our Design Decrees

Before we got started, we thought, "There are lots of zippered journals on the market, so why create another one, and how can we make it useful for LOCHBY users?"

After conducting extensive research on existing products, we came to a realization: it's not just about adding a zipper to a journal; it's about incorporating an elastic system that allows you to hold multiple notebooks, providing a new level of convenience and organization. This combination not only protects your pens and other items but also creates an entirely new offering that's unlike any other journal currently available. We didn’t find this combination in any other products out there.

As we embarked on this design journey, a few key elements became our guiding stars:

• User-Friendly Zipper: Ingenious design with longevity in mind, because a finicky zipper is about as useful as a paintbrush with no bristles.
• Elastic System: Ensuring you can use multiple notebooks simultaneously—it’s like having a symphony orchestra in perfect harmony.
• Minimal Unused Space: Lightweight and portable, perfect for those who prefer their creativity on the go.
• Classy Aesthetics: The Field Folio had to look every bit as elegant as other LOCHBY products.

How Hard Can a Zipper Be?

At first, we thought, "How hard can it be to add a zipper to a journal?" As it turns out, designing a functional zipper isn't particularly challenging (since most journals and folios on the market have one), but integrating an elastic system into the journal alongside a user-friendly zipper is like finding the missing piece of a puzzle—it’s trickier than you might think!

Questions swirled like a creative tempest:

• How does a zipper integrate with a journal? Would inside binding or outside binding work best?

• Should we incorporate a zipper garage, and if so, how to make use of the extra space it creates?

• How should the zipper elegantly end—should it have a tail, use a magnet, or be part of the spine?

The Design Journey

Prototype 1: Inside Binding

Our first foray into the world of the Field Folio began with inspiration from our roots—the Bond Travel Gear Escapade Pouch. We opted for an inside binding where the binding would be visible from the interior. Coupled with a button to elegantly conclude the zipper tail, we thought we had a winner on our hands.

However, the addition of our signature elastic system, which allows for multiple notebooks in one place, required a wider frame, leaving us with a prototype that worked but felt a bit too bulky and weighed down. Our aspirations were high, but this was just the start of our zipper odyssey.

Outside Binding & Zippered Garage

Learning from our first attempt, we decided to take the binding to the exterior, influenced by the sleek design of the LOCHBY Pocket Journal. This version introduced a "zipper garage"—a clever parking space for the zipper when fully open.

This innovation created an intriguing opportunity for additional pen loops, cleverly utilizing excess space. Yet, what seemed like a bright idea in theory led to a longer-than-necessary journal, resulting in a few precarious eyeball rolls from perfectionists on our team.

The proportions, especially the length, felt off once the dimensions of the Pocket Journal were increased to accommodate the elastic system. The length was longer than necessary. Additionally, closing the journal while it was laid flat proved to be challenging, particularly because of the zipper transitioning out of its slot.

Tweaking the Zipper Design

Undeterred, we soldiered on with the aim of streamlining the design. We bid adieu to the zipper garage and embraced the concept of a zipper tail—a new frontier. The potential was there: the dimensions felt just right, and it almost had an elegance to it.

Yet, the execution left us wanting more—our folio looked like it had outgrown a zipper tail not quite fit for its stature, leaving us both intrigued and humorously unsatisfied.

Fine-Tuning the Tail

With our creative gears spinning, we set our sights on fine-tuning the tail. Our first attempt involved sewing it directly into the spine—functional, but aesthetically unpleasing.

Next, we experimented with a squared fabric piece complemented by a magnetic attachment to the spine. This seemed stylish in theory, but in practice, it was bulky and unnecessarily thick.

However, amidst this prototyping whirlwind, we stumbled upon a breakthrough: a sloped corner design that artfully shortened the tail, boosting both functionality and our spirits with its handsome silhouette.

How About a Rubber Zipper Tail?

In pursuit of the perfect tail, we broadened our material horizons. Metal was quickly dismissed as it clashed with the harmonious vibe we aimed for. Instead, we found our muse in rubber—a material that perfectly complemented the overall look and feel of the folio. It added a pleasing weight and cohesion, seamlessly marrying function with flair.

The Final Design

This journey, marked by curiosity and persistence, was a testament to marrying design elegance with practical utility. Every prototype brought us closer to the final design, each iteration shaping the Field Folio into your trusted companion for organization and creativity. Here are the Field Folio's triumphs:

• Rubber-capped zipper tab: Sturdy and quiet on contact.
• Elastic System: Holds multiple notebooks in symphonic style.
• Horizontal Pen Loop: Maximizes unused space above the notebook, landing neatly atop when closed.
• Flexible Pockets: Enough room to carry what you need—not what you don’t!

New Color: Bumblebee

We’re thrilled to introduce the Bumblebee Edition, a vibrant new colorway that combines LOCHBY’s iconic yellow interior with a sleek black exterior. This edition is a nod to our creative community's enthusiasm and love for unique designs.

Perfect for those who wish to add a pop of color to their organizational toolkit, the Bumblebee Edition is available in limited stock, so be sure to grab yours while it lasts. Embrace the buzz and make this striking addition to your collection today!

Appreciation

This journey could never have unfolded without our incredible community. Your insights and honesty forged the path to the Field Folio's creation. Thank you for being the heart of our innovation!

Update (February 20, 2025)

Hey everyone! Thanks so much for your feedback on the Field Folio. We truly appreciate your insights and wanted to take a moment to address some of the points you've raised.

Why not a larger pocket journal?

We experimented with a larger version, as explained in the "Outside Binding & Zippered Garage" section. The proportions didn't feel quite right once the dimensions were increased, particularly with the length being too long. Even when we tried to include two horizontal pen loops to leverage unused space, the design didn’t seem balanced.

The purpose of the tail: The tail isn't just an aesthetic choice—it's designed for functionality and ease of use. It's a novel design that might feel different from traditional zipper tails, but we've refined it to ensure it offers the smoothest operation based on our testing. Some of our customers have pointed out issues with closing the Pocket Journal when it's laid flat, particularly with the zipper transitioning out of the garage. The new tail design addresses this concern by allowing a more seamless closure.

Is this the right Folio for you?

What sets the Field Folio apart is its unique blend of an elastic system, designed to hold multiple notebooks in one place, and a zipper that helps protect your pens, notebooks and other items. We understand that not everyone needs these features, so if the elastic system or protective zipper isn't quite what you're looking for, feel free to explore other options that might better suit your preferences. After all, there are plenty of A5 zippered journals available on the market!

We truly value your feedback, as it plays a vital role in helping us refine our products to better meet your needs and preferences. We're all ears and welcome you to reach out to us through email (hello@lochby.com), social media, or any channel you prefer. Thank you for supporting us and being an essential part of our journey! Your input makes all the difference.