The golden ratio is intriguing because it appears to give beauty a real standard. Any objects that resemble this divine ratio embody the qualities of both harmony and beauty. However, after all, the golden ratio exists only in the realm of Mathematics. In reality, you can only find true beauty by observing every single object in detail and then discovering this ratio in action from your daily observation.
First established in Los Angeles, 1.61 Soft Goods is a manufacturer of bags and storage items. Since 2017, the brand has been running its business out of Tokyo, Japan. Embodying the concept of golden ratio, 1.61 Soft Goods prefers items from their grandparents’ generation. That is why the products they designed are made mainly from natural materials, and their leather products, in particular, can best showcase their aesthetics. Bags and leather products aside, the leather accessories for notebooks in their catalog seem to me the most special and appealing.
The leather accessories for notebooks designed by 1.61 Soft Goods fall mainly into two collections, namely Field Notes and Traveler’s Notebook. Given Field Notes notebooks’ rather thin paper cover, it falls a bit short in terms of water resistance and protection. But now, the “Field Notes Book Cover” can give the notebook proper protection. If you want to carry around two Field Notes notebooks, the “Field Pouch” will come in handy. It can also hold writing utensils, and its classic leather tie closure design is a detail that adds to its appeal.
The Traveler’s Notebook collection, on the other hand, features two different leather inserts. The “Portfolio” leather insert is minimalistic in its design, with folder pockets both on its front and back for holding a range of receipts, notes and small-sized paper items. The “Essential” leather insert is an upgraded version of the former, with two card slots on its front pocket for inserting a few cards the size of credit cards while its back is equipped with a zippered pocket for holding small items securely. Alternatively, the pocket can also be used to hold a small amount of stationery, thereby equipping the Traveler’s Notebook with the function as a pen holder. It is also worth mentioning that these accessories have been brought to fruition thanks to patrons’ experience from actual usage, and thus, they might potentially outshine even the official products. It goes to show that life itself is the best design teacher.
