Garment Design Development: 3D for Faster, better, product decisions
By Alejandra Velarde
Speed and agility in product development are economically valuable in a number of ways. Both allow better decision making by dropping the cost of making the best use of data, starting development closer to market, and making changes of direction cheaper and faster to make. All of which result in collections with higher full-price sell-through designs and better matching of production to demand levels, while encouraging sustainability practices by making better decisions virtually. Whilst speed is most usually associated with disposable fast fashion, these benefits can also be obtained by brands who prioritise quality and consumer trust as part of a triple bottom line approach to sustainability. This results in lower inventory levels, higher sales velocity, lower markdowns and unsold stock. All these advantages lead to less waste from disposal of unsold stock and minimisation of overproduction. Also, lower inventory and higher Average Unit Retail — the average price your design is actually sold for, rather than Recommended Retail Price — make for a more resilient business.
3D product virtualization is a killer tool for accelerating product development. By replacing analogue, material artefacts with digital twins, processes become easier to distribute and change, and collaboration becomes easier. Depending on the range brand and price, traditional product development can last from 12 to 30 weeks (Berg et al., 2017) (Bertasiute, 2019). The use of 3D virtualisation technology cuts the prototype development time by 10% — 60% (Berg et al., 2017) (Bertasiute, 2019). Companies that have implemented 3D design have reported shortening the sampling process by two weeks or more, and they often see reductions of 50% in the number of samples needed and the costs involved. 3D cuts development production stages which are generally the best option for brands in pursuit of both sustainability and profitability. In the ever faster fashion market, brands have tighter timetables and often have to produce full collections in weeks. By using 3D, it is possible to make immediate product changes, without any additional cost of cancelling a style or delay. Richer and more accurate representations of products earlier in the process make it easier to validate designs against the latest market trends and request changes if required. Within weeks, it is possible to showcase designs in all colourways, sizes and styles, and produce sampling rounds virtually at speed.
Metail is a company that considers 3D product virtualisation to be a rapidly changing game. We can help you see garments in a natural pose and understand the fit and drape of a garment better. Ecoshot works as a visualisation tool, allowing designers to create true-to-life garment-on-model imagery and to show 3D clothes on real people. Therefore we help to maximise positive feedback when presenting 3D garments by making it easier for stakeholders to imagine what the garment will look like in the context of the target demographic.
EcoShot increases speed to market by providing confidence to make decisions from 3D and without waiting to see a physical sample. Often, designers end up creating imagery to support these decisions using Photoshop; EcoShot frees them up to do more valuable, creative work.
We are proud to assist in alleviating the need for physical samples, reducing waste and overproduction and helping you expand sustainable practices in your apparel development process.
Interested in utilising 3D for speed and agility?
