No.More.Silos.

A repost by Dana Todd this past week got me thinking about what a future org chart might look like for the Apparel Industry:

” This is why I think patternmakers should be renamed "garment engineers". It's physics x science x math, all day every day.”

For 3D to be truly foundational to your DPC (Digital Product Creation) process, the 2D pattern within the software needs to be functional and able to be pushed downstream in a usable form.

Meaning, it should be correct for FIT.

It should have correct markings: notches, piece labels, etc. Go back to my post about cutter’s musts; the pattern should include all this same information.

Which team member is the most qualified to ensure all of this? The pattern maker.

Add 3D methodology and you get a GARMENT ENGINEER. (well, you had that title before 3D too…)

Where it gets a little sticky is the Product Development team. Where do they fit in?

They also need to be knowledgeable in 3D, be PLM savvy, understand garment construction and enough pattern correcting to be able to communicate with the factory.

They need to take that 3D image, with all its information (materials, measurements, construction details) and create a tech package for the physical sample.

We can’t work in silos anymore, pushing the product along, throwing in components & data along the way.

The product is now the CENTER of the organizational chart, the hub.

Every action & communication links back to the digital product. Let’s start creating our organizational charts AND seating arrangements that way. No more silos.