2023/03/01

At the end of this unit, you

should be able to:
• describe the role of textiles
in product development;
• evaluate the serviceability
components of textiles
products;
• explain how textile product
serviceability and textile
performance impact target
market needs and
expectations; and
• list information sources used
in product development
UNIT 2: PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT FROM A TEXTILE
PERSPECTIVE

Kadolph (2014) Textiles. Chapter 2,

pp. 13-24.
PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT
• Refers to design and
engineering of a product with
the aim of making it
serviceable, appealing, cost
efficient and profitable

• Requires people with

specialized knowledge
relating to all of the above

• Product development
decisions determines product
availability in the market

SERVICEABILITY
The
serviceability • It is important to know who
the target market is, to be
of textiles and able to satisfy their needs
regarding serviceability

textile products • Product attributes that

Seviceability = measure of a
textile product’s ability to
meet consumers’ needs
determine serviceability and
performance are aesthetics,
durability, comfort, safety,
appearance retention, care,
environmental concerns,
sustainability, life cycle
impact and cost

1

PERFORMANCE
• Performance describes the manner
in which a textile, textile component
or textile product responds to use /
when exposed to mechanical or
environmental factors that might
negatively affect it during use and
maintenance
• Mechanical factors: e.g. abrasion,
impact or pulling forces.
• Environmental factors: e.g. extreme
hot or cold temperatures
• Standard test methods used to
assess performance
PERFORMANCE
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Quality assurance involves many
aspects:
• a knowledge of textiles
• design appropriate for end-use
• effective production processes
• product and process evaluation
(testing)
• retailing potential
• marketing and marketing statistics
• consumer behaviour and
expectations
2023/03/01
Description:
Women’s combed cotton t-shirt
Fabric Composition
Main: 100% Organic Cotton.
Product Code: 3611220-19
Figure 1: Women’s combed cotton t-shirt
A typical exam question: Explain why 100% cotton would be an
appropriate fibre choice for a t-shirt, specifically in terms of:
• Durability
• Comfort
• Safety
• Appearance retention
• Environmental concerns and sustainability
PERFORMANCE
QUALITY
•Normally refers to “the sum total of
product characteristics such as
appearance, end use, performance,
material interactions within the
product, consistency along identical
products, and freedom from defects
in construction or materials”
QUALITY ASSURANCE
•This is the process of designing,
producing, evaluating and checking
products to determine if they meet
the desired quality level for a specific
target market
Learning activity
Use fabrics #2, 8 and 25 from your swatch kit. Identify the similarities and differences in
their structure, weight and appearance. Identify an apparel product that might be made
using each fabric. Describe an appropriate target market, and the serviceability
expectations for each product. How might these fabrics be modified to make them
more appropriate for the end use and target market? How would these modifications
be a factor in product development?
#25 Chambray
#2 Handkerchief Linen #8 Peachskin
100% Flax 100% Microfiber Polyester
100& Tencell Lyocell