Occams razor - if it's simpler then it's probably better and function should lead form. It's all been said before but not many people seem to remember this on a daily basis. We have it tattooed into the eyelids of every staff member (not really).
Cactus had long had the following principles at the core of our design development....
- Making a product to endure is of primary importance. We use synthetic materials with a high embodied energy and in order to justify this energy (and your investment), our products are designed with strength as the primary driving parameter. No light weight disposable products here.
- We aim to reduce material usage and cost through constant questioning of features, if that extra zip just isn't that useful it's not going in.
- No processes which would hinder repair. We have a factory and staff who know how to build each product which means if you have a run in with a sabre tooth tiger and need it fixed we can do it no worries. Better to fix than throw out.
- Always look for more friendly prcoesses and materials. We are currently researching natural fibre fabrics for clothing and packs.
- We design so our products can continue to be made in NZ where we can better control our impact (who knows what dirty coal fired electricity goes into a pack that's "Made in China like no other company on earth"??) this sometimes means simpler shapes and less complex construction....but less is always more....
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Ethics and principles