Part 1: Slide 2

Kahoot! Instructions – See Kahoot! Instructions Deck

The first four weeks of this class were focused on how our clothes are made and who makes them. This is called the Production Cycle, and it includes, for example:

• The materials that make up your shirt.

• Where and who makes it.

• How it ultimately ends up in your closet.

Have you ever wondered:

• Why was your specific style of shirt made?

• Who chose the colors it was made in?

• What target consumer it was made for?

• What activities or functions it was designed for?

• How many shirts like this were produced?

• Who decides how and where to sell it?

Part 1: Slide 3

• Today we are going to answer these questions. Brands have a complex process to try to ensure the products they make are products you want to buy. The first step in this process is called Planning.

• To determine what products to make each season, brands research market trends, survey consumers, analyze sales data, and meet with key retail partners.

Part 1: Slide 4

To determine what to make next, brands use information from:

• Market trends

  A market trend is anything that changes the market. Successful companies identify and take advantage of these trends.

• Sales Data

  Brands review previous season sales figures, competitor’s sales, and overall industry data to understand what is popular, growing, and declining. This is also used to develop pricing, forecast the number of units to produce, and identify trends in specific colors, product categories and styles.

• Consumer Research

  Used to understand target market. Research subjects include: Preferences, income, activities, motivation, value, occupation, buying habits, age, brand preferences, and beliefs.

Part 1: Slide 5

Let’s look at some of the top 8 trends in 2021 according to Chinese ecommerce giant Alibaba.

• Ecommerce continues to grow

• Clothes become genderless

• Comfortable clothing sales increase

• Sustainable buying and slow fashion

• Inclusivity

• ReCommerce

• Online Evolves

Now ask the students:

• If you owned a clothing company, how could you take advantage of these trends?

• Would any of these trends make our clothing more or less sustainable?

Part 1: Slide 6

To summarize the planning phase, let’s look at some of the key responsibilities included:

• Review current inventory levels, seasonal needs and geographical data to forecast consumer demand

• Analyze buying patterns, forecast trends for target markets

• Determine required quantity of various product types

• Select which styles from previous season to carry over (continue producing)

• Allocate and distribute merchandise to warehouses and retailers around the world

• Determine what to do with previous season overstock

Part 2: Slide 1 (PDF 7)

Once the Planning process has identified what types of products to produce, the design team creates specific product options for consideration. This includes sketches, CAD designs, prototypes, identification of materials, creating a Tech Pack (instructions for production), and fit review.

Part 2: Slide 2 (PDF 8)

There are 9 steps in the design process including:

• 1. Inspiration

  2. Illustrating and considering ideas

  3. Selecting an idea and creating a technical sketch

  4. Build samples

  5. Source selected materials

  6. Create a tech pack, or recipe, for the desired product

  7. Review samples and test fit

  8. Approve samples for production

  9. Produce product

Part 2: Slide 3 (PDF 9)

• Here is an example of a tech pack

Part 2: Slide 4 (PDF 10)

To summarize the design phase, let’s look at some of the key responsibilities included:

• Determining the overarching theme, color palette and styling of an apparel season’s collection.

• Choosing colors and fabrics and designing the number of styles or collections allotted by the inventory planning and merchandising teams.

• Combine hand drawing and computer-aided design to create designs and images for the fabric

• Fitting the garments when the samples arrive from the factory and revising the measurements, pattern or sewing methods as needed to make a high-quality, well-fitting garment.

Part 2: Slide 5 (PDF 11)

Now that we’ve been introduced to the design phase, CJ McCollum is going to join us virtually for a Q&A with an actual clothing designer, EJ, to learn a bit more about the design process.

• Present the Q&A with CJ – Designer Video (3 mins)

Reaction: Q&A with CJ (5 mins)

EJ mentioned he starts each day with the goal of saving materials from the landfill. While all designers work towards goals, this one specifically addresses two of the industry’s biggest impacts.

• Now ask the students the following question – Who can tell us what they are?

  • Answer - Pre-consumer waste during production, and end of life waste.

• EJ also shared some tips for any of you who are interested in fashion or design.

  • Now ask the students the following question – What were EJ’s tips?

    1. Examine products that interest you.

    2. Research where these products came from and who made them.

    3. Practice visualizing your ideas.

• Now ask the students the following question – Who can define visualizing?

  • Visualization is a process of mentally constructing, shaping, and understanding information and the ability to externally communicate it.

  • This process extends beyond simply representing in visual terms – using manual activities such as drawing, imaging (photography, collages), or making skills. Rather it relies on these abilities as methods for thinking, conceiving, exploring, and proposing ideas.

  • In essence, visualization is the pathway for design.

Part 2: Slide 6 (PDF 12)

Once designs have been formalized, the products are developed through the prototype and sample phase before approved for production.

Part 2: Slide 7 (PDF 13)

• A prototype is the first sample produced by a designer and serves a guide to try a new product design. Designers can make changes to it until they’re able to figure out the best design and associated tech pack.

• Samples are built from tech packs and used to test a product before mass production takes place.

  • This includes the fit, size, and general feel of a garment prior to full scale manufacturing.

  • Samples are produced by the factory and often revised after review by the designer to address issues identified during testing and to ensure production goes smoothly.

  • Once the samples have been optimized, a pre-line collection is manufactured by the factory. This collection is used by marketing and sales teams to build demand for the products.

Part 2: Slide 8 (PDF 14)

To summarize the product development phase, let’s look at some of the key responsibilities included:

• Developing or sourcing the fabrics, buttons, zippers and trims used in the product.

• Communicating sewing details and garment measurements to the factory.

• Overseeing the manufacturing process, including fabric testing, cutting, sewing, final appearance and packaging.

• Ensuring all materials and the final garment meet the brand’s quality standards.

• Ensuring the manufacturers are complying with all legal and ethical requirements.

Part 2: Slide 9 (PDF 15)

• Here are the average monthly wages of people involved in the Product Development stage in the US.

Part 2: Slide 10 (PDF 16)

• Market Trend

• Prototype

• Sample

• Target Market

Part 2: Slide 11 (PDF 17)

Graphics, images, and video are great ways to describe complex subjects. Together, we are going to create our own Gallery of Sustainability. We will close each class by designing a poster that graphically illustrates what we have learned that week. Each poster will be displayed in the classroom until we have completed our gallery.