Range Planning Professional Design Applications

Chaos To be avoided through range planning …

What is range planning Range, collection, group – these words can be used to describe a series of designs that work together, can be used together but each has a uniqueness and individuality. These designs reflect the flavour of your project and appropriateness of end use but there is a sense that they belong with each other.

Points to consider Colour palette – From your colour palette think about how you use colour to best effect, the proportions you use, ground colours accents, high contrast, tonal similarity, all colours, two colours etc to give variety whilst still having a sense of collection

Layout-vary the layout to include busy designs with lots going on, simple understated designs, complex with several motifs and effects, small scale,micro scale, oversized, borders, stripes, textures….the list continues

Imagery – Resist overuse of one image to create a sense of cohesiveness, try to generate an image bank of interchangeable motifs/images/techniques that have the same feeling but can be utilised throughout the range. Consider their scale and flavour so that they are appropriate to the project –ie is it appropriate to the project to mix autumn leaves with summer roses?

Originality of imagery Remember that making a design larger or smaller does not make it a new design, nor does changing the colour or the surface that you put the design onto ie fabric or paper

Composition- think about designs with a lot of space in the background or packed images with little ground showing, half drop repeats or block repeats, engineered designs scattered designs, the options are endless

Fabrication Dependant on end use you may consider one fabric or a selection, each with different properties and characteristics to complete your range, how will sheers sit with plush velvets etc how do you select a series of fabrics that go together ?

Fit for purpose. Some collections may be very varied or might demand a closely connected collection with little variety, in terms of silhouette, colour etc Collections should reflect the requirements of the product area ie small scale for swimwear, baby wear etc.

Product area Fashion –Consider scale to be worn and how designs could work together as outfits( head to toe print?) and think about how collections sit together on the clothes rails or on a catwalk. Interior- Consider the room it is intended for, key fabric items ie sofa and accent products ie cushions, wallpapers scale and intensity of design Paper products,giftwrap – vary the scale to consider small gifts or larger items, tags gift bags etc- think brand. Table top, what would you like to eat off? How do plates and dishes stack together, sit on a table etc…. Understanding the product area will help you to design accordingly.

Conclusion These points are guidelines to help you put a collection together that works. The broad range of potential product areas and their requirements and the needs of each company or designer will determine how you put a range together however understanding range planning will help you to put well rounded collections together and showcase your skills to best effect.