Concept & mission

This small leather goods company is named and based on a natural waterway, and its handmade process is devoted to protecting those natural waterways. Flume Leather Company's product designs are made to fit the user's lifestyle in an ergonomic way using a stringent coloring and treating process that eliminates the opportunity for any part of the process to be washed down the drain affecting the local environment. By only using vegetable tanned leathers from American tanneries, and an in-house coloring and treating process, Flume is devoted to creating a long lasting product like you have never seen before, along with a transparent manufacturing process. This company has the look and feel that reflects the shop, tools, and hands that make each good, and will continue in this style to promote the handmade movement.

This handmade process does not rely on sewing machines and motorized stamping tools. Rather, each good is hand cut, trimmed, punched, stamped, stained, stitched, and treated in-house to ensure the highest level of quality for each piece. The brand aesthetic is based on this handmade process and is meant to give the feeling of an old industrial shop where true craftsmanship takes place. Each design includes the signature curved edge that alleviates the need for the piece to remain a square, or looking similar to traditional design. Each product design is meant to fit ergonomically to the user's lifestyle while remaining a minimal design that uses the least materials possible while carrying a comparable amount of contents as do other leather wallets and bags. Design should never be stuck in its ways, and Flume Leather Company breaks the mold of traditional design by offering something completely original.

Print

This branding system includes a print suite that satisfies the needs for this company's promotion and connection capabilities. Business cards, company cards, and product cards were printed to clearly explain the process or specifics about the products, as well as a way to find the online store to make a purchase. Look books and retail information cards were printed to inform local store owners and companies wishing to collaborate of the possibilities and wholesale option for Flume Leather Company.  Letter head was designed to accompany an invoice with every order, as well as red and blue envelopes with the large hand stamped logo on the front for shipping all orders.

Digital

The online store is the forefront of digital design for this company, as well as working in the top social media platforms to create a strong social presence for the brand. The online store features digital variation for the branding system specifically made to work well with overlaying photos and videos. Each part of the branding system was translated into its all white and transparent background form to clearly lay over the video of process playing on the website opener. Other instances take place where the logo appears in white over a colored background. The website includes the online store, pages about the company and its ethical process, as well as look books referring to past seasonal designs

Social

A thriving social media presence is necessary for a small company like Flume to succeed. Frequent posting at traffic hours using the top hashtags in order to grow its audience helped expand the company's market, and reach those outside of Portland. The social media posting has connected the company to local retail retail opportunities, local pop-up shops and fundraisers, and created connections with other local creatives. By tracking the platforms analytics, the company can focus on the people who interact with the social posts, create paid for ads, and directly connect with the consumer. Creating a platform that is consistent with branding and parallel with the company's level of quality has proven to be beneficial.

the future of flume leather company

Although this small company remains a side project, it has become a great option for local businesses and collaborative companies to place custom orders and special requests for custom gear. By working with wedding parties, local bands, and other creative studios, Flume Leather Company has been able to create the same level of quality as other professional leather craft companies, but at a much more affordable and smaller scale. Flume has been able to help other creatives in fundraisers, pop up shops, and by donating to foundations. Flume leather company is more concerned with people over profit, and will continue to lead in this direction as it grows older. Expect to see great things from Flume Leather Company in the near future.