Challenge

Reimagining classic styles with a modern twist, such as the tuxedo shirt or a hoody created with a denim effect, relied on maximum visualization.

However, the current workflow faced challenges here, which were compounded by a shorter product development lead time than usual.

Challenges which included:

• The inability to quickly visualize high-quality prototypes of never-before-created styles, such as a print hoody in cotton that aims to replicate a denim composition
  • Leading to time-consuming samples, which ate into valuable development time

• Research and experimentation time that wasn’t as comprehensive due to the shorter development lead time and poor quality of the Adobe Illustrator outputs
  • This was a compounded challenge given the complex nature of the styles

• The current quality and limited presentation options of the collection, with an inability to create multiple iterations of the prototypes fast or quickly action merchandiser feedback
  • Therefore, designing somewhat blind, with a limited understanding of sales potential

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Solution

With these challenges in mind, N’gai reached out to Make the Dot to assess whether the Style Builder could help visualize the complex styles through higher-quality prototyping while improving the iteration speed and control.

This reduces the physical samples required, the collection sign-off time for the time deadline, and the number of designs adopted by the merchandising time.

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Make the Dot believed we could help in the following areas:

• Improved prototypes that reduced the need for expensive and time-consuming samples
• The higher quality prototypes would allow greater visualization and experimentation for the complex styles, enabling N’gai to get to a salesman style quicker within the short lead time
• Quicker and more accurate iteration based on merchandising feedback, leading to more transparent design and a greater chance of sales uplift
• The ability to use these prototypes in virtual showrooms and marketing campaigns, reducing the number of costly marketing photoshoots

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Results

Based on these challenges and our solution, the following results from integrating Make the Dot into the product development were achieved:

• The digital prototypes were 80% similar to the physical samples,
• This reduced the number of sample rounds required in the tight time frame
• The collection was signed off quicker, with less duplicate work, meeting the launch deadline
• The greater prototype visualization and experimentation and quick iteration on merchandiser feedback lead to a higher adoption rate and higher quality products