The fashion product developers work in tandem with the tech pack designer. Their collaboration is key to innovation and creativity in the marketplace. The creative designer focuses on the “look” and design sense. These two roles focus on the “how” and the “when” a design should be available in the marketplace.
The designer tech pack contains all the details about the production process. The product developer manages the business and timeline of a fashion brand. The tech designer manages to create all the 2D sketches of the designs with the tiniest of details.
The Fashion Product Developer: The Project Manager
The product developer is the “architect of the process of the creation.” A project manager estimates the value of a fashion article in a certain marketplace. They learn about commercially viable products, hit the right price point, and arrive in stores on time.
- Sourcing and Costing: A project manager evaluates the best factories and negotiates prices for producing a product. It is the responsibility of product managers for the Bill of Materials (BOM). It even includes the price of the buttons, zippers, and fabrics that stay within budget.
- Timeline Management: They create the “Critical Path” for developing a design into a physical item. A well-managed activity chart tracks every stage from the first sketch to final delivery.
- Vendor Communication: A product manager acts as the primary liaison during the production process. They oversee all the activities during the production process. They are solving logistical problems like shipping delays or fabric shortages.
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The Technical Designer: The Garment Engineer
The tech pack designer is the “architect of the garment” and “Soul of the design”. They produce creative sketches of a design. Simply translate a design into a language that a factory machine and production line can understand.
- Tech Pack Creation: The tech pack creates a “blueprint” for a design. This “blueprint” includes technical flats (2D drawings) of all the details. It includes construction call-outs (stitching types) and detailed measurement charts.
- Fit and Prototyping: The tech pack designer analyzes how a sample looks on the body of the users. The sampling stage becomes fast and accepted by the designer.
- Size Grading: The tech pack includes and calculates how a garment should scale from an XXS to a 5XL. It ensures a fit is consistent across all body types.
- 3D Digital Twins: The expert tech designers use CLO3D or Browzwear to create virtual prototypes. Designers can see how fabric drapes on a digital avatar. It reduces the need for physical samples.
How They Collaborate: The Synergy
A brand cannot function if these two are not in sync. Their partnership is what prevents “production nightmares.”
| Task | Product Developer’s Role | Technical Designer’s Role |
| Concept Phase | Analyzes market trends and sets the target price. | Advises on whether the design is “manufacturable.” |
| The Tech Pack | Adds the BOM (prices/suppliers) and colorways. | Adds the specs, measurements, and stitch details. |
| Sampling | Tracks the sample’s arrival and manages the cost. | Evaluates the sample for fit and quality. |
| Production | Approves final costs and books factory space. | Signs off on the “Production Pattern” for accuracy. |
The “Technical Product Developer.”
The tech pack designers are now acting as project managers to keep the process smooth. The tech designer can take care of all activities of the production process. It keeps the production process according to its own will to reduce the cost.
