FASHION DESIGN AND

ILLUSTRATION
- DESIGN PROCESS

BY- HIMANSHI GAHLOT

BD/20/744
SWISS ARMY KNIFE
Designed by Karl Elsener
Swiss Army knife, multibladed pocketknife that evolved
from knives issued to Swiss soldiers beginning in 1886.
Although the knives were originally produced in Germany,
Swiss cutler Karl Elsener began making soldiers' knives in
1891, equipping them with a blade, reamer, screwdriver,
and can opener.
HOW THE PRODUCT
CAME INTO BEING?

Swiss Army knife, multibladed pocketknife that evolved from knives

issued to Swiss soldiers beginning in 1886. Although the knives were
originally produced in Germany, Swiss cutler Karl Elsener began
making soldiers’ knives in 1891, equipping them with a blade, reamer,
screwdriver, and can opener. The officer’s knife, with a second blade
and corkscrew, appeared in 1897.

During the late 1880s, the Swiss Army decided to purchase a new
folding pocket knife for their soldiers. This knife was to be suitable for
use by the army in opening canned food and for maintenance of the
Swiss service rifle, the Schmidt–Rubin, which required a screwdriver
for assembly and disassembly.
 WHAT MADE THE DESIGN SO ICONIC?

"GOOD DESIGN IS WHEN SHAPE, FUNCTION AND

ERGONOMICS BLEND SEAMLESSLY TOGETHER."

The understated design of the Swiss Army Knife is

consistent with the production approach and the product
strategy where the goal is maximum functionality within
a minimal space. Symbolic of Swiss design as a whole, the
pocket knife was developed with a relevance for local
needs, before growing into a global icon.
CLOTHING INSPIRED FROM
THE DESIGN