Interlock

Interlock is a powerful and innovative software-as-a-service (SaaS) program that is designed to bridge the gap between small businesses and emerging designers and local manufacturers. This cutting-edge platform provides a range of intuitive and user-friendly tools that make it easy for businesses of all sizes to find the right manufacturing partners and streamline their production processes.

  • User Research - User Interview - Information Architecture - Wireframing - UIUX Design - Onboarding - Prototyping - User Testing

  • Design product in desktop platform.

    Match apparel designers with U.S. manufacturers.

    Track the production process clearly.

    Allow messaging between each party in one centralized site.

The Assignment

Small apparel businesses looking to produce in the U.S. can often find it difficult to enter the supply chain to work with manufacturers. How might we provide small apparel businesses the opportunity to work closely with local manufacturers in ways that are accessible, transparent, and communicative from concept to realization?


Research and Discovery

We began our research by sending out screener surveys and reaching out to our personal network to determine who were the right users for the project. Since the project is very specific to the local apparel industry, we conducted 7 user interviews in New York City and Brooklyn  ( 3 fashion designers, 1 apparel business owner, and 3 local manufacturers ). After conducting our user interviews, we started affinity mapping and discovered the following user pain points:

  • Frustration with local manufacturers high minimum order requirements

  • A centralized system to track, search and communicate with manufacturers

  • A better way of follow-up communication as long-thread emails are confusing to follow

  • A systematic way to track the production process

  • Real-time follow up from manufacturers regarding sample making and production process​

Insights

By doing a competitive analysis and matrix, we discovered solutions that thoughtfully approach the difficulty of matching start-up designers and small business owners with local manufacturers, tracking the sample making and production process in real-time, focusing on domestic production (made in the USA), and verifying trust-worthy local manufacturers. These were some of the things we want to implement in our design.  

As a way to summarize findings from user research and help determine user requirements and priorities, I have developed personas and user journey. These helped us to stay focused on our user needs. 

Ideate and Prototype

Once we decided upon our solution, we began to ideate through divergent concepts, build out two prototypes and validate our concepts. I designed a desktop-optimized, project management website that focused on access, transparency, and communication in the production process between designers and manufacturers. I used design patterns from successful task managers such as Wrike and Beewits and refocus them toward the specific challenges of garment manufacturing. The key features: match apparel designers with U.S. manufacturers, tracks the production process clearly, and allow messaging between each party in one centralized site. 

Information Architecture

Mid-Fi Prototype

Hi-Fi Prototype

Usability Testing

Both rounds of usability testing returned favorable results. Round two saw improvement in usability, confidence level, and enjoyment.

The Solution

DISCOVER

Discover local manufacturers who meet your design needs by searching for them based on your production requirements.

CONNECT

Connect with manufacturers you have matched with through a messaging and quote request system.

PRODUCE

Produce through your matched and agreed on manufacturer.

Dashboard

Users are easily able to view the progress of their styles, view quotes, messages, and required actions.

Create A Style

Our simple Style pages let users easily create and store garments information and files for sampling and production.

Match With Manufacturer

Finding a manufacturer that meets our users needs is what we love to do. Our multi-point matching system means users only see what matters.

Track Production

Giving users greater insight into the status of their styles and hassle-free communication with their manufacturer.

Style Tracking

Users are able to track their style from concept to realization.

Manufacturer Matching

Users are matched with manufacturers who can meet their requirements and timeline.

Manufacturer Profiles

Users are able to see manufacturer profiles to make informed decisions, send messages, and request quotes.

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