The design process in garment production is the stage of determining the quality characteristics, specific values and acceptance values of the garment.
The garment design process includes three main stages:
- Model Design
- Pattern Design
- Production
Model Design Process
The formation of new ideas for the garment that is planned to be produced in model design takes a long time. Information about the sales policies, production costs, machinery parks, production methods, design methods, trends in using new technology, future plans, quality control techniques of clothing producing companies are obtained.
Designers gather information about fashion trends for inspiration, publications that provide future perspectives and clues, color boards, fabric boards, fashion boards, studies on designs, periodic clothing models, films, fashion shows and museums and then they prepare detailed documents out of them.
After that, information required for the consumer profile of the garment to be produced for marketing (age, gender, dimensions, social and economic level, price and quality expectations, aesthetic preferences), compliance with general fashion developments, price level, the trend of the season, marketing techniques, order regularity, general appearance-aesthetics, sales image, fashion show methods and general effect are obtained.
All of the obtained information is collected in the R&D unit if it is a business for model design. If it is an original or individual work of a designer, then it is combined to be analyzed for themselves. The R&D unit receives the ideas of senior managers and employees from within the company, evaluates them together with other information, and sends them to the design / model shop units. Every company, big or small, has a model/design department/room. The whole design process starts here.
Designers assigned here are responsible for preparing clothes in line with consumer preferences. Model design is made by considering the information gathered in this unit or room, business policies, current marketing, production, financing, workforce, technology, machinery and equipment, and consumer preferences. The designed models are examined.
The model designs obtained as a result of the examination are again analyzed in an impartial manner. Preliminary designs of accepted model designs are prepared. Alternative model designs are made to be applied with minor changes based on the model designs determined in the preliminary design. Cost analyzes of prepared alternative model designs are made. The most suitable model designs are determined.
Things to consider when designing the model
- Technical drawing silhouette is selected, drawing is started according to the selected subject.
- The front center of the drawn fashion figure should be marked.
- If the model is open from the front, the closing margins are marked.
- Waist length and hemline are marked.
- Button and buttonhole locations are marked, cups and forceps are drawn very finely.
- If there are machine stitches drawn from the top in places such as collar, pocket and sleeve covers, it should be indicated by drawing with a fine-tipped pen or punctuating.
- Attention should be paid to buttonhole and button places in double-breasted closures.
- Waist and hemline should be drawn parallel to the movement direction of the figure.
- Pockets such as buttonholes, vests, flaps and bellows should be drawn correctly.
- Various collar and arm cap models, flounces, frills, gathers, bows, ties and belt ties should be drawn correctly.
Pattern Design
Patterns are prepared by considering the functionality, form and production techniques of the models determined in the alternative model design. Sample sewing of the prepared patterns is made with a critical approach at least three times, from similar fabrics and real fabrics. As a result, the production criteria of the garment are determined. Based on these determinations, working drawings of the garment are prepared.
Production
In the production phase, pre-production is made in line with the detailed design and documents coming from the pattern design. As a result of pre-production, feedback information is obtained. The obtained feedbacks are re-evaluated for production and for the market, and production is started.
The essence of the garment design process is to achieve consensus between the people who carry out these studies and the consumers, and between the design inputs and outputs.
Storyboard
It is the table where all the data affecting the designer as a result of the research are gathered together. In the storyboard, yarn and all kinds of objects and three-dimensional materials can be used, with clothing forms reflecting international fashion trends, color trends, fabric samples for research and subject-based products, sewing techniques, ornament techniques and such.
Collection
Different models, new colors and fabric patterns are required for each season (e.g. thin fabrics for summer, thick fabrics for winter).
Each collection is carefully researched and planned. Thus, each piece complements each other and reveals the particular fashion style that company is known for.
The subject of a collection can be anything that has a strong visual impact, such as a period of history, a foreign place, color harmony, fabric type.