TAILO Abstract Product Design III Spring 2016 Class Work Supervisor: Jeff Higashi
I designed a work table that helps tailors organize his/her tools more efficiently and keep the work space clean. The table has a rotary toolbox that is able to contain 6 different types of tools and the user can turn it with their foot so that he/she doesn’t lose concentration. In this project, we teamed up in groups of 3 for the research part and seperated after in the design phase. To understand a tailor’s work habit, we did lots of interviews and observations. I mainly used the laser cutter for the mockup and working model.
INTRODUCTION WHO IS ‘TAILOR’?
TAILOR’S WORKPLACE
A tailor is a person who makes, repairs, or alters clothing professionally. They are highly trained and have great pride in their work.
Tailors use lots of tools that have been existing and developed for centuries. Our aim was to enhance their work experience and provide a more efficient system.
OBSERVATION
INSIGHTS
Custom tailoring adds unique value to clothing and co-creating The hands-on experience of co-creating a customized product adds value, not only in the resulting items uniqness, but also in the maker story now attached to their tailored product. Premium tailors consider user experience
There is no proper space to store tools
Creating a comfortable environment Tailors’ workspace is like their second home. Creating a comfortable environment which meets their needs makes them work more efficiently and provide a more friendly service to the customer. They hang plastic bags for the leftovers
They use the space as much as they can
Optimizing tools and organization systems The optimization of a tailor’s tools and organization system lets them work more efficiently and represent also their integrity, passion, and perfection in detail. They frequently get cuts from the blade
Their workplace is also their second home
We visited LA downtown, one of the popular places for clothes in CA, and observed lots of tailors. We learned a lot from their know-how and the process.
Through KJ mapping, we organized facts and got insights from it. I focused on creating a comfortable envirionment and optimizing tools and organization system.
IDEATION GROUP IDEATION
We did group ideation for each classmate. During this step, I could see lots of valuable ideas and it enriched our work.
SKETCH MODELING TESTING SKETCH MOCKUP
PATTERN DESIGN USING ILLUSTRATOR
For 1:5 scale
Using foamcore, I tested my concept. From the research, I noticed that there are lots of tiny leftovers during the task so I used the axis pipe as a path for wasting them.
After the refinement, I made a pattern for the scaled mockup using Illustrator to quickly see the mechanism and the proportion.
INTERVIEW OVERALL CONFIGURATION
DETAIL QUESTIONS
I observed how they organize their tools
“Turning toolbox by hand is uncomfortable.”
I explained each function
“Overall proportion looks good.”
“What if I can rotate it by foot?”
“I can keep sewing without interruption.”
I asked detail division for better efficiency
They divided space based on frequent use
The master tailor, Byungho Kim and his daughter gave me lots of interesting insights. Everytime I revisited the store, I updated the mockup and tested with them.
Through this process, I could learn how I should improve details such as a small door, proportion, and division.
FINAL SKETCH
FINALIZING ACTUAL MODEL (1:1)
SCALED MOCKUP (1:5)
I drew the cutting line on a 1” thick wooden plate and cut it using a router. I also gave a fillet on the sharp edges.
Drawing / 1:30 Size / 60”x21”x30”
FINAL AESTHETIC SCALED MODEL (1:5)
FINAL PRESENTATION WITH ACTUAL SIZE MODEL
Conclusion At the end of the term, I presented the scaled model to one of my interviewee, master tailor Byungho Kim. Since the tailor’s tools have been developed and specialized for several centuries, it was difficult to find a new opportunity to improve. But thanks to his and his daughter’s help, I could understand their work pattern deeply and finally came up with a useful idea. If I have a chance, I want to revise it and figure out how to combine it with a sewing machine.