THE FIVE STAGES OF THE DESIGN PROCESS

Establish a framework, by doing so this organizes the process and ensures that the desired outcome is achieved. Before collecting pieces that could serve to influence your own project, the research has to be completed to know exactly what the objective is or what problem you’re trying to solve.

Inspiration can come from various sources, either other designs, different timeframes, geographical locations, or even a well-established institution. Some people find their inspiration from external sources such as online, on social media, or in magazines, while others find inspiration in the surrounding environment like in markets, museums, libraries, etc. Apps like Pinterest, Instagram, or even Etsy can motivate the creative mind based on other people’s creations and ideas. The outside world also tends to inspire people – traveling or spending some time on a walk or bike ride allows you to witness architecture, different cultures, experiences, public art installations, or even small concepts like car designs or people passing by. The purpose of exposing yourself to these outside stimulants is to expand your ‘visual library.’

Once the project’s research and inspiration are laid out, then the sketching can begin. The research and influence allow you to have a clearer image of what your sketch will look like, or at least what it’ll start to look like. Sketches provide a visual component for the idea under consideration along with all of its aspects in order to better explain and present the concept to others.

Keeping your sketches as very rough and quick drafts maintains the efficient formulation of ideas rather than focusing on the aesthetics and the details which can be touched upon later once the foundation is established. It’s safe to say that sketching is not just meant for designers but also for anyone in a career field where something has to be built, created, or organized. Creating a visual for concepts allows others to collaborate with you as you’re fully expressing ideas, as well as brainstorming solutions as a team if applicable.

In selecting the right material for your prototype, the key things to consider are functionality, efficiency, and effectiveness. In the case of a garment design, the chosen material has to coordinate with the design itself and the plan you have for it. Will it be stiff or flowy? Are you looking for a rough texture or smooth? Selecting the correct textile for your design depends on how you want it to sit on the model and the kind of movement you want it to have. While prototyping a design may seem like an easy task, if experimenting with unconventional textiles ensuring that the design is functional is a vital step.

Other factors to consider when creating a design, choosing materials, and building a prototype are the cost based on the type of textile as well as the amount of material needed, durability of the material in the sense of avoiding badly-made or cheap textiles, functionality which should be one of the first aspects taken in account of the design, and lastly the method of manufacturing. Although just a prototype, you should keep in mind what is required for the manufacturing of the garment design. The use of an unorthodox textile or a design with more intricacy will most likely cost more to assemble versus a more traditional fabric. The method of manufacturing itself also affects the price point whether it’s constructed via 3D printing, handsewn, digital design, etc.

Product refinement is used to describe the process of making improvements to an established product in order to make it better in its use, in its expectations, and for customer needs and experience. Depending on if the previously mentioned tests are completed as the product is being designed then the product refinement process may not be as extensive. These refinements could be implemented during the design process as well as after the finalized product is released to the public to ensure that the product remains relevant in the market. Improvements could be made in the form of new colors, differing features, additional accessories, various sizes, or even changes in materials or textures. The difference between refinements in the design stages and refinements made after launch is that during the design stage, alterations are made to meet the standard of the customer’s expectations and maintain a certain level of quality and craftsmanship. Adjustments made after the product is released are typically to stay relevant based on the market trends and customer feedback of the original design.