HARDWARE DESIGN

Hardware design is very rewarding.  The process for hardware design is extremely technical and requires meticulous attention to detail to create the very intricate tech drawings that become blueprints and finally metal molds.  The following is the evolution of one such hardware piece created at Rockport.

I start with the season’s mood board and color palette:

Next I pull inspiration images that inspire me for the hardware design.

Based on these detail mood boards, I start thumbnailing into ideas.

Once a design has been chosen, I work into a digital sketch followed by a technical drawing with measurements and any other call-outs that will help the ornament developer to create a prototype.

The supplier comes back with blueprints and quick mold prototypes that are reviewed and then feedback is shared back and forth until the final approval is given to open the steel mold for market samples.

After the final mold is opened, the ornament is ready to make samples. Here are a few examples of how the final ornament looks on market samples.