Taylor Welden is a Texas-based industrial designer with a lot of experience designing softgoods. Since graduating from SCAD back in '06, Welden's racked up a global and ridiculously deep client list including the likes of Tenba, Pelican, Eagle Creek, and too many others to list. He's also worked on a "classified" project for Icon 4x4 that we're dying to hear about, but it's still under wraps.

Besides his deep book, there was something not directly design-related that caught our eye on Welden's Coroflot page: He cleverly broke out his manufacturing hook-ups and listed that as a separate category, "Factory Sourcing & Liasion Services," realizing the value of these kinds of connections.

Remember Pat Calello's nightmare tale of trying to find a factory to work with overseas? Welden's got enough experience in the biz to help his clients avoid such pitfalls. And in this economy, any edge you can get is a leverageable advantage. Below are some of Welden's shots and captions.

Factory floor in Quanzhou, China - One of many factories I work with who can provide prototypes and full scale production. I can also source factories in the United States if you prefer to have your products made in the USA.

These die cutting blades are used to cut the complex individual fabric panels of bags and packs. Then, multiple fabric panels are sewn together by hand or machine. They can also be seam-welded together to make the end product waterproof.

Adjustments to Prototype in a factory in Shenzhen, China - Speaking with the Lead Sample Maker (left/back) and Factory Manager (right/front) to make adjustments to prototype.

Adjustments to Prototype in a factory in Shenzhen, China - Speaking with the Lead Sample Maker (left/back) and Factory Manager (right/front) to make adjustments to prototype.

Factory in Shenzhen, China - This is the factory's personal sample room. These samples are designed and produced to show off the factories skills to the client. Additionally, they can provide estimates for quantity orders of these samples, to give the client an idea of how much their concept may cost to produce.

Factory in Shenzhen, China - This is the factory's personal sample room. These samples are designed and produced to show off the factories skills to the client. Additionally, they can provide estimates for quantity orders of these samples, to give the client an idea of how much their concept may cost to produce.

Check out more of Welden's stuff here.