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Fashion design process vs UX design process

Fashion design process vs UX design process

What is the design process? This is the process for every product from idea to production. The design process used in fashion is not so different from the design process used in UX design as I will try to show on every step. This is how my experience as a fashion designer helps me be a better UX designer.

Research

Fashion designers often receive request from managers or clients who want particular designs. It’s called a fashion brief and it is then up to the designer to create a collection that fits the style, budget and values of the brand. We then start finding inspiration. It can be in runways, trend books, competitive benchmark, but also in our daily life. From resources like music, art, history and architecture.

  • Stakeholder interviews

  • User Interviews

  • Usability Testing

  • Surveys

  • Competitive benchmark

  • Customer journey maps

  • Focus group

  • Card sorting

  • A/B testing

  • Data Analysis

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Define

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After the research it is time to collect  the pictures and information to analyze the trends of the season on an inspiration board. It can be digital or on a pin board. Most designers will then create a moodboard for inspiration. We will also include fabrics swatches and materials to narrow down the style. We also create quick sketches or silhouettes.

  • User journey maps

  • Personas

  • Storyboards

  • Problem statement

  • Empathy map

  • Comparative analysis

  • Affinity diagram

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Design

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At this point the designer would sketch the design using the inspiration they collected.  We design fashion illustrations with color and movement on a collection board using programs like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. We will then present those boards to stakeholders and make changes until they are happy with the garments.

  • Information Architecture

  • User flow

  • Flow Diagram

  • Navigation

  • Sketching

  • Design principles

  • Design patterns

  • Paper prototype

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Prototype

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When the stakeholders place their order we create a CAD or flat sketch of each garment. The CAD will then be used to create a  Tech Pack. This document is like the UX wireframes, it contains the measurements, colors, fabrics and sketches of the garment. We send it to the supplier, and we receive a prototype of the garments just like a high fidelity prototype.

  • Med or High fidelity prototype

  • Mockups

  • Interactive prototypes

  • Wireframes

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Validate

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The prototype will then be fitted on a real model with the designer and pattern maker. It helps visualize the design even if most of the sample are made with cheap substitute fabrics. The designer will look at the design's functionality, the feel, and the size, and take feedback from the model. The design will change until the product is polished. The Tech Pack is adjusted as necessary.

  • Presentation

  • Feedback

  • Critique

  • Corrections

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Build

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The prototype is then approved, and we are then ready to request a PP (Pre-Production Sample). If there are no more changes, the garment is ready for the production line. The garment is then tagged, packaged, and sent to the distributor.

  • Design hand-offs

  • Design Documentation

  • UI kit

  • HTML Prototypes

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Test

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The garments will then be delivered in stores. We usually have feedback from the stakeholder on the sales to see how the garment  performed.
All the feedback from the season will be considered as input for the next season and kept in mind when designing the next collection. 

  • Usability testing

  • A/B testing

  • Observations

  • Performance testing

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