The top 10 tools I use as a freelance kids & baby wear designer
Top 10 List Alert!
Here are the top 10 tools I use on a regular basis as a freelance kids & baby wear designer:
#1 - Adobe Creative Cloud (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, Fresco) - for creating style CADs, line sheets, labels, hang tags, graphics, embroideries, and print designs… ALL THE THINGS!
#2 - Microsoft Excel - for creating tech packs that include graded specs.
There are SO many different ways to create Tech Packs - I’ve used them all! But when I started my career in the industry 20+ years ago, the Tech Packs at the company I worked for were in Excel and that format still works today!
Obviously A LOT has changed since then (I remember FAXING lab dip comments to factories!!) but Excel remains the most widely used file format by factory partners.
I think Tech Packs in Adobe Illustrator work as well, but I still end up working out specs & grading in Excel (so many numbers!) before copying them in. I know some brands have success using Google Sheets, but it’s not always accessible depending on where you are manufacturing (i.e. China).
3. Dropbox - I use this platform to store, organize & share files with clients & factory partners.
#4 - Pantone Color Guide - check lab dips and strike offs against color standards, make sure colors look good in real life - not just on screen.
#5 - Pantone Connect - for creating digital color palettes & managing color standards within artwork files.
#6 - Pencil & Paper - nothing beats sketching out a garment design or a print idea on paper first!
#7 - Dress Forms - a must for fitting samples plus they never whine or refuse to try things on and hold still for photos. (And as office mates, they are VERY quiet!)
#8 - Measuring Tape - I use this ALL the time for measuring reference samples, prototypes & fit models to ensure they are within the size range.
#9 - Fabric cutter & scale - check reference sample & fabric submit weights - helpful for sourcing and then checking that bulk production matches the approved quality.
#10 - iPad & Apple pencil - I create artwork in Adobe Fresco on the iPad and then bring it into Adobe Illustrator on my desktop to create multiple colorways, print repeats and factory-ready artwork packages.
Message me if your kids or baby wear brand could use some help with design & development - I definitely have the right tools for the job! And the expertise to get it done right the first time.