It’s easy to draw a bag that looks fine from the front, but once you try to picture it as a 3D object, things start to feel off. A nice straight-sided rectangle might have a gusset that isn’t deep enough, or a flap that won’t fold over nicely, or straps that are attached too close to the edge. For these reasons, a bag design shouldn’t rely solely on a front view when you’re creating something functional. The side view gives you information that the main view doesn’t tell you.
Start by making a quick comparison before you add any pockets, seams, or zippers. Sketch a basic bag in a front view. Then, sketch a side view directly next to it at a similar scale. Start with the same height in both sketches, and decide how wide the bag should be in depth. Then add in the bottom, the opening, and any visible fold or gusset line. Even if you keep your sketches fairly rough, the two views will begin to tell you more about the bag as a whole instead of being separate drawings.
A front view gives you important information about the width, height, placement of handles, shape of the flap, position of pockets, and how the proportions will look in general. A side view will give you information about the depth, the overall structure, the shape of the flap, how deep the opening or fold is, and how much the pocket or panel will stick out from the rest of the bag. You may also have shoulder or crossbody straps that need to attach differently once the depth of the bag is visible. All of this affects how the bag will look and how it will be worn.
At this stage, the biggest challenge is making sure that the two views are consistent. As a beginner, you might make the side gusset wider without realizing that the opening or bottom piece should get wider too. Or you might sketch a very long flap on the front view, but a much shorter one on the side. Rather than worrying about getting everything perfect, you can use a few guidelines to help you stay consistent. Make sure that the top line, bottom line, height of pockets, and flap line are all lined up in the two drawings. You can also write approximate measurements next to the drawings so that you can easily compare them.
Looking at a design from more than one angle helps you figure out what materials to use. For example, a soft fabric might collapse or drape in the side view, while a more structured leather or a reinforced fabric will hold its shape better in a side view. You might also have a bulky zipper, a magnetic snap, a piping detail, or a large seam allowance that can change the appearance of the bag. If you only sketch the front, you might not realize how much the design details will affect the bag.
Before you start refining your design sheets, lay out your front view and side view side by side and ask yourself if they’re describing the same bag. Is there enough depth to support the amount of material that you plan to store inside? Does the flap look long enough from both views? Are the strap attachments positioned in a way that will work with the structure of the bag? Can the opening work with your preferred closure method? Once you’ve answered these questions in a few quick sketches, you’ll find it much easier to go back and revise your design.