Apparel Design & Development

1. Useful Resources

• How to go from Idea to Production for Softgoods, with Karen Buscemi and Lionel Vargas Cruz

Articles:

• The Steps of the Product Development Process for Soft goods

• Creating a Tech Pack

• How to make a soft goods tech pack by Maria Boustead, founder of PoCampo (Founded Outdoors Member)

• How to Create a Technical Design Package: A guide on developing tech packs to communicate design details to manufacturers.

• Fabric Selection 101: Tips for choosing the right materials for your apparel line, balancing durability, sustainability, and cost.

• Designing for Functionality and Performance: Insights into designing outdoor apparel that meets user demands for performance and style.

• Common Mistakes in Apparel Design: Lessons learned from experienced designers about avoiding common pitfalls.

• From Concept to Creation: A Guide to Successful Product Development (Part 1): A comprehensive overview of starting the product development process.

• From Concept to Creation: A Guide to Successful Product Development (Part 2): Deep dives into critical phases of development, including prototyping and testing.

• From Concept to Creation: A Guide to Successful Product Development (Part 3): Focused on transitioning from concept to market-ready products.

• How to Make a Soft Goods Tech Pack by Maria Boustead, founder of PoCampo: Practical advice on creating detailed tech packs specifically for soft goods.

• How to Make Your Own Gear Part 1: Sourcing Fabric and Materials

• How to Make Your Own Gear Part 2: Product Design and Prototyping

• How to Make Your Own Gear Part 3: Sewing!

Books:

• “Patternmaking for Fashion Design” by Helen Joseph Armstrong: A comprehensive guide to creating custom apparel patterns.

• “The Fashion Designer’s Textile Directory” by Gail Baugh: A resource for understanding textiles and how to select the best options for your designs.

• “Apparel Production Terms and Processes” by Claire Shaeffer: A deep dive into technical aspects of apparel production.

Videos:

• YouTube: How to Design Outdoor Apparel: An introductory guide for designing performance gear.

• Developing a Tech Pack: A practical walkthrough of creating a technical design package.

2. Recommended Tools

1. CLO 3D (clo3d.com): A virtual garment simulation software that allows you to visualize designs and make adjustments before prototyping.

2. Adobe Illustrator (adobe.com): The industry-standard tool for creating apparel sketches and flat designs.

3. Techpacker (techpacker.com): A platform for creating and managing tech packs efficiently.

4. Pantone Studio (pantone.com): Essential for selecting and communicating colors with manufacturers.

5. Tukatech (tukatech.com): A suite of tools for pattern-making, grading, and CAD.

6. Fashionary Templates (fashionary.org): Ready-to-use sketch templates to speed up the design process.

7. My Body Model (mybodymodel.com): A custom croquis generator that allows designers to create sketches tailored to real body measurements.

8. Connex (connexmarketplace.com): A platform connecting designers with manufacturers and service providers, making sourcing and production more seamless. Reach out to Founded Outdoors if you would like to be connected to the UAMMI team.

3. Founded Outdoors Community Tips & Insights

• Start the design process by creating a clear user profile for your apparel, considering functionality, activity type, and climate conditions.

• Prioritize creating a detailed tech pack with all necessary specifications, including seam details, fabric weights, and measurement charts, to reduce errors during manufacturing.

• Use 3D modeling software to visualize your designs and identify potential issues before investing in prototypes.

• Collaborate with fabric suppliers early to explore sustainable and performance-oriented material options.

• Test your designs with small focus groups or beta testers to gather feedback on comfort, fit, and performance before scaling production.

• Break your design process into phases: concept sketches, technical drawings, prototyping, and final production to avoid being overwhelmed.

• Avoid over-complicating designs in early stages. Simpler designs are easier to produce and refine as you learn the manufacturing process.

• Seek out mentors or design consultants to guide you through unfamiliar technical aspects of apparel design.

• Use tools like Pantone color libraries to ensure consistent colors across different batches of fabric and trims.

• Document every change or iteration in your design process, including decisions on materials, trims, and fit adjustments, to keep the process organized.

4. Useful Vendors

• Maker’s Row (makersrow.com): A directory of U.S.-based factories and manufacturers specializing in apparel, accessories, and more.

• Textile Exchange (textileexchange.org): A resource for finding sustainable fabric and trim suppliers.

• Fabric.com (fabric.com): A large online marketplace for sourcing fabrics suitable for prototyping and small-scale production.

• Spoonflower (spoonflower.com): Custom fabric printing services, ideal for testing designs and creating small runs.

• Wazoodle Fabrics (wazoodle.com): A supplier of eco-friendly and performance fabrics, such as moisture-wicking and antimicrobial materials.

• JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores (joann.com): Accessible for prototyping materials or small-scale designs.

• Alanic Global (alanicglobal.com): A global supplier of custom-made activewear and outdoor gear for brands.

• SwatchOn (swatchon.com): Provides access to a wide variety of premium fabrics with small minimum order quantities.

• AliceJamesGlobal - work with small brands from design through launch (recommended by community)

• Bare Boulder - Outdoor Soft Goods Design and Prototype (not vetted)

• PriorityDesigns for Soft Goods and Hardware Prototyping (not vetted) product development company (recommended by community)

• Fashion Jobbers - Small runs, low quantity, small mins for fabrics (recommended by community)