A prototype is a preliminary model of something. Projects that offer physical products need to show backers documentation of a working prototype. This gallery features photos, videos, and other visual documentation that will give backers a sense of what’s been accomplished so far and what’s left to do. Though the development process can vary for each project, these are the stages we typically see:
Proof of Concept
Explorations that test ideas and functionality.
Functional Prototype
Demonstrates the functionality of the final product, but looks different.
Appearance Prototype
Looks like the final product, but is not functional.
Design Prototype
Appearance and function match the final product, but is made with different manufacturing methods.
Production Prototype
Appearance, function, and manufacturing methods match the final product.
Prototype Gallery
These photos and videos provide a detailed look at this project’s development.
We self-funded the development and limited introduction of the Renaissance Backpack in cognac. Customers absolutely love it and we have already sold out of the initial inventory. We are engaging with potential sponsors like you to provide the cashflow needed to bring the backpack out in larger quantities and in additional colors so that everybody who wants one can get one.
How do you carry weighty items (like books or a laptop or a couple of bottles of wine) in a way that is functional and stylish, a pleasure to interact with, and distributes the weight across both shoulders and back?
"I've searched pretty much my whole adult life for the perfect backpack and just couldn't find it," said Embrazio Co-founder Stephanie Boyles.
A backpack that can be adjusted to fit your body. A backpack that looks great when worn or carried. A backpack that has the right pockets in the right places. A backpack that is made of ultra supple leather that gets better with age.
DESIGN FOR TIMELESS STYLE
FORM WITH LUSCIOUS LEATHER
Strap Leather - Strong but Supple
Lid Leather - an Ultra Natural Textured Leather
Body Leather - a Soft Tumbled Leather
REINFORCE WITH HAND STITCHED DETAILS
BUILD TO SLIM DOWN OR TO EXPAND UP
EQUIPE WITH ESSENTIAL POCKETS
ENABLE TO CARRY FOR WORK & PLAY
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SUPPLY WITH FULL ADJUSTABILITY
TOP OFF WITH EXTRA TOUCHES
Interleaved Leather
Sam Brown Rivet Closure
Tuck Lock
We both decided to leave the corporate world after nearly 30 years of working in tech, telecom, and consulting. A mid-life career change seemed both daunting and refreshingly exciting! In 2012, we started Embrazio, a leather accessories company in Boulder, CO, after Stephanie came up with the idea for a curved belt and cell phone holster that would fit great, feel great, and give her safe and easy access to her smartphone when riding her beloved dressage horse Kyra.
Since then we've created over 100 different leather accessory products and our line is now carried by over 180 retail boutiques and sold online. One item Steph has been dying to create from the get go was the perfect all leather backpack. After traveling around the world for decades on business and pleasure, she'd never found a backpack that combined equal measures of style and utility. Enter our new Renaissance Backpack from Embrazio.
Largely due to our backgrounds in software and services, we literally prototype the hell out of everything we bring to market. Our backpack started with a cardboard mock up, then a scrap leather prototype, then 6 more rounds of prototyping and testing. We wore each version, gave it to our friends to wear, sent versions on business trips, vacations, and many, many coffee shops visits (Steph's a coffee shop addict). All the time we kept asking "what's wrong, what could we improve, how could it function better with an active lifestyle?"
PROTOTYPING LIKE CRAZY!
WORKING CROSS-BORDER ... IF NOT TRAVEL THEN VIDEOS
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We brought out the first color, cognac, with a soft launch in August. We only had 25 units coming in and had already sold a few sight unseen to people who'd seen our early prototypes. Well, the rest went out the door so fast we had to immediately reorder. Now folks are stopping us on the street, in cafes, and airports asking where they can get one and for different colors. We're ready, willing, and able, with your support, to bring 'em out!
We both carry the Renaissance Backpack every day and feel kinda lost without this leather treasure. We think you'll love it too!
Stephanie & Scott
How can you pick your color if you fund a particular reward that has multiple color options? When the campaign is over on December 1, we get a list of who has funded what. At that point we reach out to you and ask you what color you would like to select. You can click through to the Embrazio website to see what colors are available.
Below please find raw footage of the different stages of the backpack being made. This is actual video of the work being done ... we love the music in the background. We are awed and inspired by the artisanship and the care taken in every piece of this handmade item. These backpacks are being made by Candido Lopez and his two sons Javier and Ivan.
Steph with Candido and his two sons - Javier and Ivan
We've set our reward limits so that we can deliver from existing stock by December 15th and then have given ourselves until April 15th to do more production to fulfill rewards beyond the initial limit. While we believe that gives us plenty of time, things can happen in Mexico beyond our control that could extend that second delivery time period. For example, one of our key suppliers or fabricators could get a huge order from someone else in the meantime causing us to have to shift to alternative suppliers/fabricators. Fortunately, we have alternatives in place but this is still a time to delivery risk.
Other than that, there really aren't too many risks other than natural disasters and death (which is a natural disaster I guess if it happens to you!).
Perfect for travel or just around town. This zippered all leather bag is the perfect size to keep your ear buds from tangling with other cords. Light weight and easily assessable within your bag, pocket, or backpack.
Embrazio's patented Lato curved leather belt fits like no other belt you've ever worn. More comfortable, more slimming, and no gapping in the back results from our unique curved shape that follows the natural contours of your body. These belts are all handmade using a solid premium leather strap finished with beeswax. Beautiful interchangeable buckles and hand stitched keepers add to the amazing comfort and quality of these fine leather belts.
The first 100 sponsors can have their belt shipped by December 15, 2017. Remaining sponsors will have their belt shipped during 1st Quarter 2018.
With this perfectly styled small cross body you'll love the soft feel, external phone sleeve, and detachable tassel. It carries much more than you'd imagine due to side gussets and two zippered pockets. Need to go hands free? Just unclip the cross body strap and feed any belt through the hidden leather channel in the back and you've got the most stylish hip bag on the market.
The first 75 sponsors can have their bag shipped by December 15, 2017. Remaining sponsors will have their bag shipped by April 15, 2018.
The beautifully handmade Media leather cross body bag is lightweight and designed to carry so much more than one would think. It just gets better looking and softer to the touch with age and wear. The Media secures your contents with zippered closures on the big compartment and on the smaller front pocket. For easy access to even the largest smart phones there is an external leather phone sleeve.
The first 60 sponsors can have their bag shipped by December 15, 2017. Remaining sponsors will have their bag shipped by April 15, 2018.
A beautiful blend of top quality leathers form the basis for this classically styled handmade mid-sized messenger. Beyond the soft touch and sumptuous fragrance of this eye catching bag, there is a clear attention to detail and an understanding of the functionality needed in an everyday work companion. Front panel cross stitching accents, a solid brass clip closure, and an easily accessible front zippered pocket are just a few examples supporting this claim. Inside you'll find another deep zippered pocket, room for a 13" lap top or tablet plus papers/notebooks, etc., and solid canvas sleeves for pen, passport, glasses and more. The leather shoulder strap is extra long extending to 50."
The first 20 sponsors can have their messenger shipped by December 15, 2017. Remaining sponsors will have their messenger shipped by April 15, 2018.
Be among the first to experience this luscious all leather backpack from our first full production run. Great for men or women and as timelessly stylish as it is ultimatetly functional.
The first 60 sponsors can have their backpack shipped by December 15, 2017. Remaining sponsors will have their backpack shipped by April 15, 2018.
As a top level sponsor you'll get one of each - Backpack in Cognac, Messenger (Cognac), Mid-size Crossbody (choose your color), Small-size Crossbody (choose your color), Clutch (choose your color), Lato Curved Belt (choose your style & color), Perforata Curved Belt (choose your color), Earbud Case (choose your color).
The first 10 sponsors can have all items shipped by December 15, 2017. Remaining sponsors will have their items shipped by April 15, 2018.
