The "Find My Fit Project"
The Issue
The “Find My Fit Project” started as a task. A task to identify a design problem in todays society and find a potential solution the that problem. Through brainstorming and research I chose the issue of “transparency between the measurements of the clothing to the consumer”. A problem that plagues many people on a daily basis.
The desired outcome and hope is to create a product that will help women, and others affected by the same issue, who have had negative experiences while shopping for clothes have an easier time finding clothing that fit without having to go back and forth between the clothing racks and the changing rooms. To make a product that makes the measurements of a specific article of clothing more transparent to the consumer, thus making life easier and less stressful.
On average 4 out of 10 woman have had, or are statistically going to have, a negative experience when shopping for clothing. Not only that but out of those 4 woman, 2 will be deterred form clothing shopping all together. The experience of having to go back and forth between the changing room and the clothing racks, only to be frustrated and upset by the time you acutely find something that fits and is flattering. I have experienced that myself, I would have the want to shop and find new flattering clothing to add to my wardrobe, only to get frustrated and upset and cut the shopping day short because of it.
This problem doesn't only effect woman, it effects many people out there in the world. Men, Children, Non-Bionaries. It affects us all. It can affect our self esteem's. Make us feel fat or ugly. That is why I chose this problem.
How did we get here?
Before we dive into the product itself, I want to talk about my thought process and approach when it came to coming up with my solution. The reason I chose such an issue of “transparency between the measurements of the clothing to the consumer” is because I have been personally affected by this problem myself. As previously stated in the “Statistics” section of this booklet, on average 4 out of 10 women will have a bad experience while shopping for clothes, I unfortunately fall into those 4. Thus I wanted to create and come up with a solution that will help and empower women who have been deterred from shopping in the past to want to shop again.
When brainstorming ideas for potential solutions I came up with a few. Some futuristic technology wise, some a little too practical and on the nose, and some simple and not super interesting. One of the ideas that stood out to me, but didn’t end up going with, was a pop-up booth that helped people learn how to use a tailor’s tape measure on himself so they could be more aware of what actual size they were. The reason I did not go with this was because I felt it would be objectifying to those who chose to participate, finding it not to be super desirable to be measured in public, even if it was to show them how to use a tailor’s tape measure.
The Solution
The Brand
The “Find My Fit Project” is the face of the Find My Fit Tailor’s Measuring Tape and App. A brand that is designed with the intent to empower women who may feel judge and deterred from shopping for clothes to want to shop for themselves again. To find confidence in their own bodies by allowing them to have an easier time finding flattering clothing without having to go through the exhausting experience of going back and forth between the clothing racks and the changing rooms.
Logo Sketchs
The Product
The Find My Fit Tailor’s Measuring Tape is the fiscal product of the “Find My Fit Project”. A smart tailors measuring tape that allows the user to connect it directly to the Find My fit App on their cellular device. The measuring tape uses its smart technology to record and send the users measurements straight to the app, where then the app will store that data for future use when the user goes shopping. And to be eco-friendly, the Find My Fit Tailors Measuring Tape will be made completely out of recycled materials, including its packaging.
The Find My Fit Tailor’s Measuring Tape is intentionally designed with compactness in mind. I wanted to make the measuring tape small and easy to carry around, say a purse, or handbag. Being about an inch wide it is slim and can easily fit into a side pocket for use on the go. The controls are simple to navigate with few buttons to confuse the user.
Usage Pamphlet
In addition, the Find My Fit Tailor’s Measuring Tape comes with a comprehensive easy to read usage pamphlet that shows to users how to use the product. It comes with the instruction to not only connect the product to the app, but to also show how to properly measure yourself by showing where to measure for specific measurements like say the inseam measurement, or say your bust measurement.
The App
The “Find My Fit App” is the paired cellular application that goes with the “Find My Fit Tailor’s Measuring Tape”. It Allows the user to take and store their physical measurements into a private database where only they can view it and use it. This app is a sort of search tool used to find clothing that will fit you easier without having to go in and out of the changing rooms.
How does it work?
The key feature of the “Find My Fit App” is the search feature. The search feature allows the user to search specific stores / local stores near them, and searches whether that store carries clothing for them. It also functions to show the user what size they would be in that specific store (as size discrepancy between stores and brands is quite common) by using the stored size measurement date recorded when setting up the app and the user's account.
Users can reset their measurements at any time by accessing the profile settings. As well, all users have access and the right to a “Find My Fit” private profile, whether or not they connected their email or Facebook. Although it is highly recommended you connect your profile to an email or Facebook account so you can transfer your data from cellular device to cellular device without having to fuss. In addition, users do not need to own the “Find My Fit Tailor’s Measuring Tape” to use the app, as the app has the option to put your measurements in by hand instead of by the “Find My Fit Tailor’s Measuring Tape”. This feature was specifically added for those who do not have access to the paired product.
The app is very intuitive and easy to follow, having many accessibility features for those with sensory loss. The app is equipped with detailed diagrams that are paired with descriptive voiced and written instructions so as to not let the user get lost.