Engineering of Craft - Let's Sketch Tech

In this talk, we'll talk about making a pair of hiking pants from scratch while using the product development process. We’ll talk about patterns, prototypes, testing, and bug fixing... without reviewing a single line of code. 😉

It's also the backstory for Alpine Parrot, a new outdoor apparel company for plus size women. 🎉 Come for the pants, stay for the puns, and let's explore two seemingly different industries with a single development framework!

Transcript

1. Raquel Vélez @rockbot @alpineparrotco The Engineering of Craft
2. let's talk about pants
3. but use the engineering development process
4. This is also the backstory of Pssst:
5. let’s compare the two Code vs Pants https://bit.ly/2VQvIEO
6. The Product Spec
7. Our Customer Engineer by trade Likes to hike, ski, and climb Based in SF, but also spends time in the woods
8. Our Customer Engineer by trade Likes to hike, ski, and climb Based in SF, but also spends time in the woods that’s me!
9. The Problem Hiking pants that fit are hard to find Pants gape at the waist and are tight in the hips, resulting in distractions on the trail https://i.imgur.com/z7TNt9X_d.jpg
10. Proposed Solution A custom-made pair of hiking pants! https://bit.ly/2YwnAar
11. Success Criteria Adjustable in waist Roomy enough for lots of bending POCKETS
12. but wait - why are pants so tricky?
13. Everyone has trouble finding clothes that fit well A Quick Primer on Clothes + Fit https://bit.ly/2JcVvkN
14. Designers start with a “fit model” A Quick Primer on Clothes + Fit a pattern is made to fit them perfectly
15. A Quick Primer on Clothes + Fit https://bit.ly/2JcVvkN cut and spread to create a larger size Then they algorithmically update the pattern for everyone else
16. A Quick Primer on Clothes + Fit https://bit.ly/2JcVvkN cut and overlap to create a smaller size This process is called grading
17. WOMEN’S SIZE 16 PANTS Size Guide Comparison Eddie Bauer Kühl Old Navy REI Variation Waist 35 - 36.5 in (89 - 93 cm) 35.5 - 36.5 in (90 - 93 cm) 34.5 in (88 cm) 35.5 in (90 cm) 2 in (5 cm) Hip 44.5 - 46 in (113 - 117 cm) 45 - 47 in (114 - 119 cm) 45.5 in (116 cm) 45 in (114 cm) 2.5 in (6 cm) Inseam 32 in (81 cm) 32 in (81 cm) 32 in (81 cm) 31 in (79 cm) 1 in (2 cm)
18. The Tech Spec
19. Two Options for Custom Hiking Pants TAKE A PATTERN THAT ALREADY EXISTS AND MODIFY IT • Pros: • Instructions + community exist • Avoid NIH syndrome • Cons: • Made for “generic human”; but every human is unique and making it fit is going to be time-consuming
20. Two Options for Custom Hiking Pants TAKE A PATTERN THAT ALREADY EXISTS AND MODIFY IT • Pros: • Instructions + community exist • Avoid NIH syndrome • Cons: • Made for “generic human”; but every human is unique and making it fit is going to be time-consuming CREATE A PATTERN FROM SCRATCH • Pros: • Make exactly what we want • It’s been done before, in principle • Cons: • Requires skill to do well • Will likely still be painfully time- consuming
21. Two Options for Custom Hiking Pants TAKE A PATTERN THAT ALREADY EXISTS AND MODIFY IT • Pros: • Instructions + community exist • Avoid NIH syndrome • Cons: • Made for “generic human”; but every human is unique and making it fit is going to be time-consuming CREATE A PATTERN FROM SCRATCH • Pros: • Make exactly what we want • It’s been done before, in principle • Cons: • Requires skill to do well • Will likely still be painfully time- consuming
22. The Pattern Start with measurements Add ease Draft it on paper
24. Our First Prototype
25. Prototyping Basics Throw away-able Quick turnaround Cheap fabric No finishing touches Continuous iteration cut the pattern pieces sew the pieces together fit the garment to the end-user modify the pattern
26. TDD: Test-Driven Development
27. Note: The Tests Are Always Perfect
28. Warning: You cannot unsee what you are about to see
29. These are blockers to production Failing Tests 1 2 3
30. Break and Iterate Broken tests = time to fix the code Let's change the pattern to take fabric out of the crotch, add room at the hips, and pull the back waist down 2 2 1 3
31. Prototype 2
34. Help!
35. More Help!
37. Staging
40. Unit vs Integration Tests It’s one thing for the tests to pass when standing, but do they still pass during movement?
41. Unit vs Integration Tests It’s one thing for the tests to pass when standing, but do they still pass during movement?
42. Unit vs Integration Tests It’s one thing for the tests to pass when standing, but do they still pass during movement? (Answer: nope.)
43. Staging, Round 2
45. Unit vs Integration Tests Terrible angle of video, but note the general environment
46. Unit vs Integration Tests Terrible angle of video, but note the general environment
47. Unit vs Integration Tests Terrible angle of video, but note the general environment Tests: Pass!
48. No more blockers for production!
49. Production
51. Retrospective
52. Version Control TFW you're certain you'll remember what that meant and then you get distracted and come back to it later and totally forget
53. More Frequent Commits What did I do here? Why? When? How do I go back?
54. Backups You never know when your code may be corrupted
55. Code Reviews It's helpful to get other opinions These two didn't help much at all
56. Success? Yes! Fitted in waist Roomy enough for lots of bending POCKETS!
57. So What?
58. look at code from a different angle
59. we are craftspeople
60. use what you know
61. build something different
62. break and iterate
63. and surprise yourself with what you learn
64. Raquel Vélez @rockbot / @_rockbot_ @alpineparrotco raquel@alpineparrot.co Thank you! Year of the Pants: https://rckbt.me/tag/yotp/ : https://alpineparrot.co