Design Management for American Apparel

The design should be utmost unique and further differentiated, not conforming to culture. Design is could be one competitive advantage so it is important that the manufacturing of the products are conformed to the original ideas of the maker, uninfluenced by any other factors involved in its manufacturing process. Example of this idea is the use of differentiation strategy of companies to gain competitive advantage.

I. Concept Stage - Client Representative or CEO meets with Product Manager to describe big picture the goals for end product for spec generation.

A. describes the stages a new product idea goes through from beginning to end B. has three major stages

Design is all around us, whether it is the way you dress, the color of your room or even the style of your toothbrush. Daily, the choices we make are dependent on their design. Function doesn’t necessarily come into play anymore because the products all function the same. For example, Steve Jobs, he took products that were available and he designed them to be beautiful products as well as functional. When I choose the electronic products, Apple is my first choice not only because of its function, but also because of its design.

Design combines “technology, cognitive science, human need, and beauty to produce something the world didn’t know it was missing”. Assume that all products have the same technology, price, performance, and features. How would you know which product is better? That’s what design does; it is what differentiates one product from another. It creates utility and significance. For every percent of sales invested in product design, a company’s sales and profits rise by an average of 3-4 percent. My MAP organization Aldi’s thrives on making design choices that will benefit them in the future. They choose to have all stores exactly the same square footage, minimal brand options, only 6-8 employees, even multiple bar codes so checking out is quicker, and chose to save on stocking time by keeping their products in the same boxes they were shipped in. They utilize their costs and that has a huge significance on customer appreciation. Who doesn’t want greater quality at everyday low prices?

The first stage is when the team is formed and members meet. They learn what the team opportunities and challenge will be. Individual members may be confused about their role or not understand the need for the team. Members will agree on goals and assign actions for work, often working independently. Ground rules or team guidelines are established. At the start, the team leader may be a member of the group, a supervisor, a manager, or a consultant who will facilitate the team-building process. Leadership will help the team to define their processes. At this stage, the leader needs to be directive and understand the requirements for team training to move through each stage.

All engineering companies are different in the procedure they use when designing a new product. However, some basic steps should always apply to ensure a successful outcome.

Third stage of the cycle is STUDY. Kerridge (2012) state that this focuses on monitoring outcomes, evaluating or reviewing the change after its implementation. This ensures that the aim is achieved with a clear quality improvement put in

The Unique Design Paper is an overall summary of the several concepts discussed in this course relating to unique design. It also evaluates how I can apply this new information to my life and help me figure out my life calling. Through this fresh material I have a better understanding of what I should do with the rest of my life.

It is very clear that a design for their goods is well maintained. The highly demand on their products from customers everywhere in the world drives them to be powerful. It is recognized that the market study and analysis are elaborated to understand the market needs. For instance, high volume product reflects how they design

In the define phase proposals are formulated, estimated and tested for feasibility. The results will be presented to the senior management in order to receive a "go" for the project which often is in the form of a contract.

American Apparel, is an American multi-national clothing manufacturer, distributor and retailer since 1988based in Los Angeles, California. Dov Charney, a Canadian business man was a founder and former CEO of the company. He was involved in nearly every part of the business process from design and manufacturing to marketing. The Ernst & Young named Charney Entrepreneur of the Year in 2004. He was also termed "Man of the Year" by various fashion

“Project management is a series of activities embodied in a process of getting things done” (Cleland, 2007, p.51). What stages would be involved on defining the ‘series of activities’ and what needs to be ‘done’? Would a complete definition of the project and its boundaries be directly linked to the project success?

4. Development: The development stage is where the company 's creates specifications of the product, the design, and prototypes. It is also in this stage that the company considers manufacturing constraints.

According to Dr. Stefano Marzano, CEO and Chief Creative Director of Philips Design, “differentiation on the basis of technology is not enough” LINK, since consumers demand technologies nowadays are being shared across companies and therefore losing their differentiating effect. This is where design takes