Luma

Backpack for Heston Design

Luma is a backpack made using a patented 3D knitting process that reduces material waste and simplifies production. Unlike traditional cut and sew methods, this approach produces fully shaped components directly from digital patterns with minimal waste and labor. The backpack is constructed from single strands of 100% pre-consumer recycled nylon, helping to lower energy use, emissions, and material waste. Luma's design is informed by nature and aims to offer a balance of function and sustainability through a streamlined minimalistic form.

Download Press Kit № 172299

Download Press Kit № 172299 Backpack for Heston Design by Colin Heston to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.

Available Now for Your Next Story

At design|newsroom, we understand the pressures and deadlines journalists face. That’s why we offer exclusive access to our curated press kits and high-resolution images, tailored for accredited journalists. These resources are designed to enrich your stories with depth and visual appeal, spotlighting the world's most innovative designs.

Please Note:

• Credit the work's creator and/or photographer.
• Mention design|newsroom as your source.
• Share your published pieces with us; we love to celebrate and promote your work on our platform and social media.

Let’s Collaborate: Your stories matter. design|newsroom is here to support you with quality, accessible content. Once you are accredited, reach out for the images and content you need. We will provide the specific images and content directly, along with recommendations on works to feature.

Get Accredited Easily: Quick access to our resources requires media accreditation. Apply for media accreditation to join our network and start exploring a wealth of design stories.

Luma by Colin Heston

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

Backpack by Colin Heston

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

Colin Heston Luma

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

Colin Heston Backpack

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

Colin Heston Designer Portrait Photo

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

Heston DesignBrand Logo

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

Colin Heston Interview

For Immediate Release: Secure your free access to an engaging interview with Colin Heston, totaling about 2992 words. Perfect for enhancing your articles. Download instantly. Access Colin Heston Interview Now.

Luma Backpack Press Releases

For Luma, find press releases in a variety of languages: English and English.

Luma Backpack Translations

We ensure Luma is globally understood with translations available in these languages: Pera Dorsalis LA, Mugursoma LV, Kuprinė LT, Rucksack LB, Раница MK, Kitapo lamosina MG, Beg Galas MS, ബാക്ക്പാക്ക് ML, Żakk tad-dahar MT, Pēke Tuara MI, बॅकपॅक MR, Үүргэвч MN, ब्याकप्याक NE, Ryggsekk NO, Ryggsekk NB, Sac a dòs OC, ବ୍ୟାକପ୍ୟାକ୍ OR, بکس پیک PS, کوله‌پشتی FA, Plecak PL, Mochila PT, ਬੈਕਪੈਕ PA, Q'ipi QU, Rucsac RO, Рюкзак RU, Ato Tua SM, पृष्ठपुटः SA, Ranac SR, Bhegi Repamushure SN, بيڪ پيڪ SD, පිටි බෑගය SI, Batoh SK, Nahrbtnik SL, Boorso Dhabarka SO, Mokotla wa Morao ST, Mochila ES, Ransel SU, Begi la Mgongoni SW, Ryggsäck SV, Backpack TL, Рюкзак TG, முதுகுப்பை TA, Рюкзак TT, బ్యాక్‌ప్యాక్ TE, กระเป๋าเป้สะพายหลัง TH, རྒྱབ་ཁུར། BO, ጀርባ ሸንጣ TI, Sırt Çantası TR, Ryukzak TK, Рюкзак UK, بیک پیک UR, ئارقا سۇمكىسى UG, Ryukzak UZ, Ba lô VI, Bag Cefn CY, Rêchsek FY, Isikhwama Somhlana XH, רוקזאַק YI, Àpò Ẹ̀yìn YO, Isikhwama Somhlana ZU, Rugsak AF, Çantë Shpine SQ, የጀርባ ቦርሳ AM, حقيبة ظهر AR, Ուսապարկ HY, পিঠিসৰা বেগ AS, Çiyinqabı AZ, Mitzila EU, Рукзак BE, ব্যাকপ্যাক BN, Ruksak BS, Раница BG, ကျောပိုး MY, Motxilla CA, Bakbak CEB, Chikwama cha Msana NY, Zainu CO, Ruksak HR, Batoh CS, Rygsæk DA, Rugzak NL, Dorsosako EO, Seljakott ET, Reppu FI, Sac à dos FR, Màileid-droma GD, Mochila GL, ზურგჩანთა KA, Rucksack DE, Σακίδιο Πλάτης EL, Mochila GN, બેકપેક GU, Sak Do HT, Jakar Baya HA, ʻEke Kua HAW, תיק גב HE, बैकपैक HI, Hnab Nraub Qaum HMN, Hátizsák HU, Bakpoki IS, Akpa Azụ IG, Ransel ID, Mála Droma GA, Zaino IT, バックパック JA, Ransel JV, ಬೆನ್ನುಹೊರೆ KN, Рюкзак KK, កាបូបស្ពាយខ្នង KM, Isaro y'umugongo RW, کوڵەپشت KU, Рюкзак KY, ກະເປົາສະພາຍຫຼັງ LO, Backpack EN.

Luma Backpack Media Articles

Our articles on Luma, prepared for immediate use, are offered in several languages, including Dutch, Italian, English, Russian, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Turkish, Indonesian, Korean, Arabic (Standard), Hindi, German and Spanish.

Unique Properties

The Luma is a revolutionary backpack that blends sustainability, technology, and innovative design. Unlike traditional backpacks, which rely on wasteful cut-and-sew methods, Luma is created using a patented 3D knitting process. This groundbreaking technique produces seamless backpack components with little to no production waste. By condensing and optimizing the production process through automation, we are able to enhance efficiency while reducing our environmental footprint. We have created a uniquely new aesthetic that stands out from a crowded market, within a product category that has remained the same for hundreds of years. With our unique process, knit components are lighter, stronger, and more durable than traditional techniques. Each knit component is engineered with unique attributes. The shoulder straps and back panel are knit with low stretch mesh structures to disperse weight and better ergonomics, while spacer knit structures provide cushioning while remaining extremely breathable. Whereas the 3D knit main carrying compartment is engineered with no stretch and a thick 3-layer knit for durability. The main compartment also has low-melt thermoforming yarn that bonds with the nylon to add strength and structure to the form. The 3D knit structures also seamlessly integrate pocket openings and webbing for gear loops without the need to cut and sew. Thoughtfully designed to safely carry all your daily essentials no matter what environment you find yourself in.

Tags

3D Knitting, Sustainable, Seamless, Backpack, Accessory, Everyday Carry

Production Technology

The Luma leverages advanced 3D knitting technology to autonomously produce individual bag components directly from single strands of yarn, with zero production waste. This seamless process allows us to integrate custom features, structures, and textures into each piece, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics. By combining up to 36 different yarns within a single knit component, we can precisely tailor the material’s properties to deliver purpose-driven performance throughout the bag’s construction. Made from 100% pre-consumer recycled nylon, cutting energy use by 45%, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 30%, and using 20% less water. - Reduction in manual labor through automation - Reduction in quality deviation - Reduction of fail points within the product - Cost & material savings - Streamlined production process (minimal secondary processes) - Creates a unique seamless design aesthetic

Design Challenge

One of the greatest challenges of this project was mastering a highly specialized technology from the ground up. As someone new to 3D knitting, I had to completely rethink my approach to design, adapting my process to align with the unique constraints and possibilities of the production method. This required not only a deep technical learning curve but also a shift in mindset—designing for a medium where form, function, and fabrication are inherently intertwined. Pushing into uncharted territory to create a product that had never been made before meant constant experimentation, iteration, and problem-solving at every stage.

Project Duration

2021-2025

Operation Flow

The Luma is more than a bag—it’s a movement toward smarter, more responsible design. By fusing technology with sustainability, we’ve created a product that not only meets modern consumer demands but sets a new benchmark for the industry. It reflects my belief that through innovation, we can reduce waste while creating purpose driven products. This is the future of carry—seamless, sustainable, and revolutionary.

Research

This 3D knit backpack is the result of five years of dedicated research and development, beginning with early swatches and culminating in refined, production-ready samples. Over the course of this project, more than 20 unique knit designs were created and iterated upon. The most successful elements from each were synthesized into a cohesive design language. We developed approximately 10–12 fully functional prototypes, each exploring variations in knit structures, material compositions, and functional features. These prototypes were tested across diverse environments and with users from a wide range of lifestyles, providing critical feedback that informed the final product’s performance, comfort, and durability.

Inspiration

The lightbulb went off and the idea really took shape after a trip to China, where I witnessed the immense waste and labor intensity in traditional soft goods manufacturing. During this trip I had the overwhelming feeling that there had to be a better way of creating these products. I set out to find a better solution that would lessen the reliance on a globalized supply chain, promote local community manufacturing, and leave less of an impact on our planet. That experience pushed me to explore 3D knitting—a process that eliminates excess material, reduces labor, and enables precise, zero-waste production. This backpack redefines how soft goods are made, proving that sustainability, performance, and thoughtful design can go hand in hand.

Image Credits

Colin Heston

Project Overview

Luma Backpack has been a Bronze winner in the Fashion and Travel Accessories Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.

Bronze Recognition

Colin Heston was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Luma Backpack.

Colin Heston Press Releases

Access a rich repository of press releases on Colin Heston, offered to press and media professionals for unrestricted use in their stories. Journalists can access 2 press releases immediately, ready for your use.

Knitted to the Future: Award-Winning 3D-Knit Backpack Redefines Sustainable EDC Design

An award-winning 3D-knit backpack is redefining sustainable design in the everyday carry (EDC) space. Inspired by a love for nature, tech, and fashion, this concept merges advanced knitting technology with zero-waste construction. The Luma 3D knit backpack showcases what’s possible when cutting-edge textile innovation meets purpose-driven design. It’s a bold step toward cleaner, smarter, and more responsible soft goods production.

Colin Heston's Luma Backpack Wins Bronze A' Design Award for Pioneering Sustainable 3D Knitting Innovation

WEST CHESTER, USA - June 2025 - Colin Heston's Luma backpack, crafted using a patented 3D knitting process from 100% recycled nylon, has earned the Bronze A' Fashion and Travel Accessories Design Award for 2025. Recognized for its seamless, zero-waste construction and groundbreaking approach to sustainable manufacturing, Luma sets a new standard for eco-conscious, high-performance everyday carry solutions.

Colin Heston Newsroom

Unlock a treasure trove of award-winning designs by accessing Colin Heston Newsroom.