Product design is a big part of our business, we work hard all year round to bring you new and exciting designs every winter season.
Here is an insight into our step by step design process:
Step 1: Inspiration and Research
Our first step is to gather inspiration and do some research. This involves looking at current trends and finding inspiration in art, nature, and everyday life. We have a notebook full of ideas and are constantly adding ideas throughout the year. We take inspiration whilst out exploring, making notes of colours, textures, and shapes that catch our eye, this starts to develop a vision for the new designs.
Our latest penguin design has been on our list for a while, we think these cool birds are fascinating. Birds that swim and don't fly! Waddling and hopping on land but quick, sharp and elegant in the water. We have gone for the classic and most recognisable penguin, the Antartica Emperor with it's distinctive yellow colouring. The perfect winter coastal hat choice!
Step 2: Sketching and Concept Development
Once we have gathered inspiration and researched the design, it's time to start sketching ideas. Sketching allows us to develop ideas and refine our vision. Starting with rough sketches, and then refining designs as we go.
We did a few different sketches of the penguin design but settled on a symmetrical multi penguin design, we love how it's stands out on the white background.
Step 3: Creating a Technical Drawing
After we have sketched out ideas, it's time to create a technical drawing. Technical drawings show every aspect of the design, including measurements, knit types, and yarn choices.
The size, knit style and gauge of this one matches our classic tried and tested design. We try to add at least two designs to this collection each year to keep things fresh and interesting for our customers.
Step 4: Choosing Yarns and Colours
It's time to start choosing yarns and colours to fit the chosen design and knit style. The look and feel that we want to achieve, will be brought to life with the yarn and colour choice.
We use high quality, sustainably sourced yarns. They are all vegan friendly and picked because of the super soft feeling, reducing the chance of fibre itch. The colours are often the hardest thing to get right and we often have to tweak these after the first sample as they can look so different from on a yarn cone to a hat!
Step 5: Sampling and Testing
This involves creating a sample of the design to test the fit, feel, and overall look of the final product. We often have a number of samples made up and test them out ourselves to make sure they feel and look right. We make sure they are hard wearing and robust enough to withstand all kinds of adventures!
We love finally seeing the designs in real life! We have already had the new penguin design out for a spin. Where better to take it for it's first trip out in the world, the beautiful Northumberland coast!
Step 6: Refining
Once the sample has been well tested, we will make any necessary adjustments and refinements until we have a final product that meets our vision and quality standards.
We will try it out for a few weeks and then ask for feedback from people that we know and trust and some of our previous customers. If we need to make any changes we will do this before sending it into production.
Step 7: Production and Manufacturing
Once we are 100% happy with the design and product it is sent into production. With new designs we usually run a limited number to begin with, this allows us to test the popularity of the design.
Our new penguin hat will go into production in the summer and will be ready to launch at the end of September.
Step 8: Marketing and Sales
Once the new hat design is made, it's time to start marketing. We spend our summer doing product shoots for new designs to make sure they are ready to launch to our customers at the beginning of the hat season.
We will spend the Spring and Summer getting content together and doing product shoots. This will ensure we have all of the content ready for the September launch!
