If you’re going to be thinking, you may as well think big.

Over the summer I thought a lot about my honours project and I formed a clear idea of what I would love to work on this year.

I want to design a limited edition collection of products in collaboration with young Scottish designers. These could be sold for summer 2017 on my own platform 5STYLE which now boast over 100k followers. The products will focus around the theme of ’travels’ including a travel bag, a watch, a pair of sunglasses and a summery outfit. Each of them will be unique as its design will be aligned with the minimal and luxurious aesthetics of the products featured on 5STYLE.com.

I knew from the start this would have a been a very brave project to embark on. It wasn’t just about designing a limited edition product for one company, but for three. I have chosen to reach out three Scottish designers I know that quite well established at the moment, although they launched less than 5 years ago.

The first of the three collaborations I had in mind was with Instrmnt, a Glasgow based, multi-disciplinary team with a single objective: to create a minimalist, high-quality goods that are accessible to all. I would have love to design a special edition Instrmnt + 5 STYLE watch (or watch strap). Sadly they said they have 3 collaborations and a new product lined up next year and don’t think they will be able to fit anything else in. Also, their manufacturing schedule is a big clunky (+ expensive!) process and they are looking at a 6-month development cycle and a minimum order value for a new model of at least £10k. Equally, limited edition straps aren’t really something they want to work on or be known for.

Last year I had the chance to interview Kevin Fox, the founder and lead designer of LAT_56, a Dundee-based luggage company, so I decided to go and say hi to him again. LAT_56 was founded on the principles of fusing exceptional functionality with bold, strong aesthetics. Unfortunately, my proposal of collaboration was rejected, again. The quick feedback given by Kevin mentioned the MOQ (minimum order quantity) would have been too high, and it’s not the right fit for the LAT_56 brand.

Last but not least, I tried to reach out to one of the three co-founders of Tens, a sunglasses brand founded by three friends in the Scottish Highlands who recently secured investment from Sir Richard Branson. Luck wasn’t with me this time, too. Unfortunately, they said at this stage they wouldn’t be able to look at this on the basis that they’re in talks with a number of international brands that they’ll hopefully be collaborating with in 2017 and beyond. A collaboration with them after my graduation would be more likely to happen.

I eventually tried to contact other companies too, but only got positive responses from 2 fashion brands that unfortunately can’t be categorised as product design.

Time to THINK BIG about my plan B.