Aesthetics, Design, and Product Development

CoLab: A Two-fold Development Model Utilizing Studio Collaboration To Inspire Product And Professional Development

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Abstract

The global economic recession has left many small fashion companies lacking the resources to invest in pre-production development of textile applications and signature details for their lines. While it is true that new product design and development is more often than not a crucial factor in the survival of a company, in an industry that is changing quickly, firms must continually revise their design and range of products (Devere, 2008). Small-scale and emerging fashion companies simply lack the funding, space, materials and skills to experiment as they are putting all energies into pushing the business forward into the next season. Recent graduates and students of textile and design experience constraints due to the financial crisis. For many students, getting a foot in the door at a company is difficult. CoLab is one example of a collaborative model of product development that pairs a small fashion company seeking product innovation with a group of dynamic and talented students seeking industry exposure, with both sides of the partnership eager to teach and learn. Through skill-sharing (both by students and Industry Professionals), the academic studio serves as testing ground towards the creation of collectively designed signature textiles.

Keywords: product development, collaboration, mentoring, skill-share

How to Cite:

Cobb, K., (2012) “CoLab: A Two-fold Development Model Utilizing Studio Collaboration To Inspire Product And Professional Development”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 69(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.17233