{"id":825,"date":"2017-09-12T23:59:13","date_gmt":"2017-09-12T22:59:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/insider.utelier.com\/?post_type=toolkit&p=825"},"modified":"2019-07-16T08:44:31","modified_gmt":"2019-07-16T07:44:31","slug":"how-to-best-communicate-design-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fashioninsiders.co\/toolkit\/how-to\/how-to-best-communicate-design-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"How to best communicate design ideas (even if you can’t draw)"},"content":{"rendered":"
What if you are given the gift of the imagination but not that of creation on paper?<\/p>\n
Or worse, you cannot explain your design methodology to anyone?<\/p>\n
A lightning sketch made on a scrap of paper, in felt-tip pen, can be the starting point of an impressive first collection. However, while your designs are viable in your head, they may not translate so easily to your team.<\/p>\n
Your pattern cutter will need more than a rough rendering and your manufacturer will demand even more.<\/p>\n
It should be reassuring to know that not all designers are able to articulate their vision through the medium of drawing. They choose to select existing images and to create collages of their unique ideas. These are then shown to an illustrator or pattern cutter, who transforms them into technical drawings.<\/p>\n
So, what is required of the designer who wants their product to come to life exactly the way they imagined?<\/p>\n
What does it take to\u00a0communicate design ideas in the best possible way?<\/p>\n
As a start-up, you will no doubt be seeking partnerships and meeting up with potential investors. When sharing your ideas with them,\u00a0enquire as to whether they have any experience in the design arena. If they don\u2019t, you will need to present them with more than a rough sketch with a few notes attached.<\/p>\n
Communicate design ideas with full-colour illustrations along with fabric swatches and any trims you\u2019re considering using. If at all possible, well-finished toiles or first samples could also be included.<\/p>\n
When sharing your work with buyers they will expect to see professionally finished samples. The quality of these is paramount as they will reflect the items that will be delivered should an order be placed.<\/p>\n
Some designers omit this step so as to save on further expenses and rely on the final call from the buyer. If you\u2019re just starting out, then you might have the tendency to skip certain things to have better control over expenses, but having a thorough quality check<\/a> at each step of sampling can save you from major expenses afterwards.<\/p>\n In addition to samples, a Line sheet and lookbook should also be made available to the buyer.<\/p>\n A Line Sheet is a sales tool designed to visually communicate all of the information necessary for a buyer to make a decision about purchasing your collection. It will contain images of your products shot in colour, without a model and against a plain background.<\/p>\n The lookbook is simply a collection of your best fashion \u201clooks\u201d that present a definitive and cohesive vision of your brand. It should contain photographs of your garments on models as well as stills shots. These can be shot on location or in a studio depending on your brand\u2019s core ethos.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n A technical drawing is a linear rendition of a garment or product. It should not be drawn on a figure (hence the name “flat,” as if it was laid flat on a flat surface).<\/p>\n The front and back, and on occasion the side view if it\u2019s a complicated design, will be drawn and should include details such as pocket placement and button details. Any design flourishes and trim details need to be included too.<\/p>\n If technical drawing isn\u2019t a skill you currently possess, fear not. You don’t need to be a master of this skill. \u00a0If interested, there are many educational facilities that teach technical drawing and fashion flat drawing. Other options for creating technical drawings include using the Adobe Suite Illustrator<\/a>. If you don\u2019t have access to Adobe, they have provided a list of third-party plugins<\/a> designed to aid you in the creation of all types of technical drawings. Downloadable templates are also available online.<\/p>\n If you would prefer to employ an illustrator to create your flat drawings you could consider finding one on People Per Hour<\/a>. This is a great online service where people bid for your job offer, or you can hire a pre-agreed type of job service. Another alternative is to contact colleges and ask students to help you\u00a0communicate design ideas better.<\/p>\nMake use of sales tools<\/h3>\n
Use flat drawings<\/h3>\n
Speak the universal language of factories<\/h3>\n