2024 | Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
Product redesign of sewing pattern range
The Tudor Tailor
Challenge
The client provides specialist patterns for reconstruction 16th century dress. The range requires a redesign to improve usability and reflect the revamped company branding. They also want to be able to provide the patterns as digital downloads.
Initial insights
Discussions with the client and reading customer feedback identified that improvements were needed to the usability of the pattern sheet and the instructions.
The packaging also needed to be updated to make sure it reflected the visual style of recent publications and was consistent with the company brand.
User testing was done of similar products on the market to identify what worked well.
The pattern
The client had decided that they would print the patterns in-house on demand. This determined that the pattern sheets for the physical product would be A0.
For the download the customer would be required to print the pattern themselves and so in addition to A0 smaller paper sizes would need to be considered. Looking at the past sales it was clear that most of their customers were based in the UK & US so it was decided that the options to print on A4 and US Letter would be added.
Different concepts were tested to identify the easiest and most efficient method for assembling the pattern pieces – this resulted in various features being included in the design:
Page border – testing demonstrated that each pattern sheet would need an overlap to make it easier to join the pieces together
Alignment marks – these help the user line up the pieces correctly before sticking
Page numbers – to minimise work for the end user instructions are included about which pages need the border trimmed. This was particularly useful for A0 print out where not all pieces required assembly
Early testing of concepts using basic physical prototypes was essential in learning what worked well and helped in designing a streamlined assembly process for the end user
Other elements included to improve usability:
Line styles – each size is indicated using a different style of line which is included in the key
Size labels – each pattern size has an additional size label
Test square – to help the user check they are printing at the correct scale
Assembly instructions – simple instructions help the user with assembling the pattern efficiently
The envelope
The existing patterns were packaged in a brown envelope with a white label which ended up looking a bit tatty after handling and shipment. So, it was proposed that the new packaging should involve printed white envelopes – information elements were moved to the back to allow for a cleaner smarter cover. The new design also includes up to date brand assets and high-quality photography.
The design of informational elements such (sources, pie charts and rank box) are consistent with how they are displayed in the related publications to provide visual cues for the end user.
Existing design
New design (front)
New design (back)
The instructions
Customer feedback had indicated that users struggled to follow the existing instructions which were currently provided on a single sheet and included large blocks of text and minimal imagery.
An instruction booklet was proposed and in collaboration with the client more detailed step by step guidelines with instructional photographs were devised. Additional information about choosing the right fabric, cutting out and adjusting the pattern was also included.
Summary
"Good quality paper pattern with easy to understand instructions"
The redesign has been well recieved by customers and is being rolled out to the rest of the range.