Project Overview

The "Bags of Art & Design" project represents a pioneering collaboration between Bags of Ethics, Pentagram, and Cass Art, launched during the London Design Festival. The collection features twelve uniquely designed tote bags made from deadstock cotton, each blending form and function. Designed with bespoke pocket systems and screen-printed artwork, these bags cater to the needs of artists transporting supplies such as notebooks, A1 folios, palettes, and brushes. In response to the growing rejection of plastic bags, the tote has become a versatile accessory, offering individuals a way to express their personal identity, whether through slogans, affiliations, or practical purposes like carrying art materials.

A limited-edition Cass Art tote bag was also introduced at the event, priced at £14.95, reinforcing the commitment to both sustainability and innovation. Crafted by an 80%+ female workforce, these bags exemplify the integration of ethical production and functional design. "It was important to create something attractive, practical, and durable—something that people will use repeatedly," said Angus Hyland, partner at Pentagram. "These bags are an evolution of the artist's colour totes I first designed for Cass Art nearly 20 years ago, based on the idea of creating specific bags for specific tasks, blending the joy of a sweet shop with the practicality of a hardware store."

This collection not only serves the artistic community but also champions sustainable design and ethical manufacturing, making it a meaningful contribution to both art and environmental responsibility.

Project Commissioner

Cass Art

Project Creator

Pentagram and Bags of Ethics

Project Brief

The project focuses on the innovative use of upcycled materials and deadstock fabric to create eco-conscious tote bags that seamlessly combine sustainability with practical design - crafted to serve both as practical accessories and artistic pieces. In response to the growing demand for both environmentally friendly and functional products, these totes are made from repurposed textiles that would otherwise contribute to waste in landfills.

The resulting collection features unique textures and hues, demonstrating how upcycling can play a key role in contemporary design. This collection represents a significant evolution of Cass Art’s previous efforts to integrate artistic expression into everyday items. What began with monochrome statement bags has now expanded into a celebration of colour, inspired by the rich history of artists’ pigments and the tradition of pigment naming. These accessories blend design, culture, and sustainability. The Cass Art bag features popular artists’ shades: Prussian Blue, Cerulean Blue, and French Ultramarine.

The project highlights the importance of ethical production in design by combining creativity with responsible manufacturing. These totes not only provide a functional solution for carrying essentials but also promote awareness of sustainable practices in the art and design industries.

Project Innovation/Need

The "Bags of Art & Design" project presents an innovative fusion of sustainable design and functional utility, specifically crafted for artists. The collection of tote bags provides tailored storage solutions for essential art supplies, such as brushes, paint tubes, and sketchpads, combining practicality with aesthetic value. By incorporating upcycled materials into the production process, this project not only addresses the growing demand for eco-conscious products but also celebrates the individuality and uniqueness of each bag. The integration of deadstock fabrics ensures that no two bags are alike, reinforcing the value of sustainable design while reducing waste.

Each tote is a functional work of art, designed to reflect the history and heritage of pigment naming. Inspired by the rich tradition of artists' colours, the bags feature distinct hues, with names rooted in centuries of artistic and alchemical legacy. This deliberate connection to art history elevates the bags from mere accessories to cultural expressions, offering both a practical solution for artists and a homage to the world of art and design.

Through this collaboration, we demonstrate the power of design in shaping both a product's functionality and its environmental impact. The "Bags of Art & Design" project is a clear example of how upcycling and thoughtful material sourcing can transform everyday items into meaningful, eco-conscious statements. This project not only meets the needs of the modern artist but also sets a precedent for how art, design, and sustainability can coexist in harmony.

Design Challenge

A significant challenge in the development of these tote bags was sourcing and working with limited quantities of deadstock fabric. Deadstock refers to leftover materials from previous production runs, often in irregular sizes and colours. This created a unique challenge in both meeting the aesthetic goals and fulfilling the practical requirements of the bags. Each bag needed to combine functionality—providing adequate storage for art supplies such as brushes, paint tubes, and sketchpads—with a distinctive design that showcased the vibrancy of upcycled materials.

The colours available in the deadstock materials—such as Prussian Blue, Cerulean Blue, and French Ultramarine—were both rich and varied, which posed a challenge in ensuring a cohesive colour scheme throughout the collection. Achieving harmony between these unique colours, each with its own texture, was key to maintaining the visual appeal while ensuring the bags remained practical. As Jon Marshall noted, “Artists' pigments are not just colours—they are stories of history and technique, which we wanted to bring to life in each bag.”

Additionally, the bags required precise engineering to accommodate a variety of art supplies, with pocket sizes ranging from A7 to A3. The complexity of integrating these different pocket sizes while maintaining a functional and organised structure added another layer of difficulty. The collaboration between the Pentagram London-based team and the technical experts in Pondicherry, India, was essential in overcoming these challenges. Their combined expertise ensured that each detail—from fabric alignment to pocket placement—was executed, resulting in a final product that balanced beauty, practicality, and sustainability.

Sustainability

Sustainability guides every aspect of the "Bags of Art & Design" project. The totes are made from responsibly sourced cotton, with designs printed using environmentally friendly inks to minimize environmental impact. A key focus is the use of repurposed deadstock fabric, which reduces textile waste, reuses materials, and breathes new life into resources that would otherwise be discarded, further lowering the overall carbon footprint. Local sourcing strengthens sustainability by minimising transportation-related emissions and supporting ethical production practices.

The project creates a positive social impact, particularly through job creation for women in India. Approximately 80% of the workforce consists of women, many of whom are the primary breadwinners for their families. By providing an independent source of income, the project enables these women to improve their lives, contribute to economic sustainability, and create a better future for the next generation. Bags of Art & Design also offers training, encouraging employees to learn new skills and grow both personally and professionally. This focus on skill-building and empowerment helps create a brighter future for their communities.

The bags are designed for durability and reuse, promoting a circular economy where products are made to last rather than contributing to landfill waste. The project embodies a holistic approach to sustainability, integrating environmental, social, and economic factors. By prioritising responsible material sourcing, ethical production, and community empowerment, the project fosters social equity while addressing the need for sustainable design. This project offers eco-friendly products while also contributing to positive social change.