How to prepare a brief for your own jewelry collection
Published on by Felipe · 3 min read
A good brief shortens development and avoids prototypes that don't look like your brand. What to bring to your first conversation with the factory.
Your own collection starts long before the first sketch. It starts in the conversation where the brand explains what it wants, for whom and by when. The clearer that conversation, the fewer rounds of changes development will need.
That conversation is the brief. It does not need to be a polished document. It needs to answer the right questions.
1. Who your customer is
Age, style, the occasions they wear jewelry for, how much they usually pay for a piece. An everyday line is different from a gift line, even if both share the same theme.
2. What already sells for your brand
Bring your bestsellers. They show the design language your customer already recognizes. The new collection can go further, but it needs to relate to what works today.
3. References, with the reason
Photos, pieces, runway shows, objects, textures. For each reference, say what caught your eye: the volume, the shape, the movement, the finish. "I like this earring" does not help much. "I like how the hoop looks twisted" helps a lot.
Bring what you do not want, too. One negative reference saves a prototype.
4. How many models and which categories
A collection of earrings and necklaces needs different planning from a full line. Decide how many models and how they combine with each other.
5. Retail price range
The final price guides the size, weight and complexity of the piece. A beautiful piece that does not fit your customer's price range ends up as stock that does not move.
6. Volume and calendar
How many pieces per model you expect to buy and when you need them on display. That number decides whether development makes sense now or whether it is better to start with a selection from the line. The minimum order per model and the cycle lead time are confirmed in the proposal.
7. Plating and finishing
Say which plating you plan to use and who your plating shop is. The unplated piece is designed with what comes next in mind, and that avoids surprises when the prototype comes back plated.
After the brief
With these answers, the factory can propose designs, present prototypes for approval and make a pilot run before the production batch. Each stage has a point where you sign off. That is how the piece ends up looking like your brand instead of the supplier.
If you are thinking about a collection of your own, learn about FGF Custom Development.