Moving forward with the INSIDE THE FASHION INDUSTRY blog series, let's move into technical sketches. This is the step where, even though it is no rocket science, there is no way you can escape technology. Tech sketches are crucial and you will be using them through the entire development process. Hand sketches with pretty colors are great and are the first step needed to determine your collection, but there is no way to move forward without tech sketches.
Mixing fashion design and hand sketches with technology and computer programs might seem a bit scary, but do not worry. If you have basic skills in illustrator, you will be just fine. If not, well then, that is why you need a production manager who is either able to make them for you or will direct you to people who can.
The sketches have to be done in illustrator, some people use photoshop or cad, but regardless of what computer system you are going for, technical sketches are important and have to be done to start on your patterns and samples. Technical sketches are nothing more than garment construction. They will show each seam and each detail of your garment. They are not exactly to be pretty but to show the pattern maker how the garment needs to be constructed. Yes, technical sketches can change, especially after developing your first patterns and samples you might need alterations, so all the new alterations can be added to your tech sketches, but the tech sketch is what the pattern maker will look at when working on your designs.
Here is a simple example of a technical sketch:
These sketches will be the same used on your tech packs and that is why you must have this done to be able to move forward with your collection. Also, please remember that tech sketches are needed for each design and not each style - so if one of your styles is a top and a skirt, you will need separate tech sketches for the top and the skirt.
It might seem a little weird (and a lot of work) that you have to go through all those steps of creating your mood board, the first draft of sketches, and final sketches so, in the end, you will still need tech sketches, but going through all these steps will make you more organized and will help you save money since you narrow down the number of designs you will be producing and how many sketches will be needed. Technical sketches are also yours for life, so, in the future, you can always adapt the sketches to your new styles instead of starting from scratch again.
I hope this blog series is informative and helpful to you so far. If you are actually getting work done, please write to me and let me know how that is going. I cannot wait to hear about your new collection. Next step: pattern and sample making.
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