MINIMUM LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT $10,000 per project
DIRECTOR LEVEL Apparel Design
Build a focused innovation roadmap that keeps your brand ahead,without chasing shiny objects. I translate real use-cases into concept routes, rapid prototypes, and a 12-24 month plan your team can execute.
Expect clearer priorities, faster learning cycles, and product stories rooted in function and empathy for the end user.
Flagship Offer: Hero Product Sprint (Concept → Prototype-Ready)
For brands who: need a flagship piece that earns trust in the field and sells through cleanly.
What we do:
We define the use-case, build the feature logic, and design a hero product with clear build intent, so your factory and internal team can execute without interpretation gaps.
We define the use-case, build the feature logic, and design a hero product with clear build intent, so your factory and internal team can execute without interpretation gaps.
You get:
Use-case definition + performance targets
2–3 concept routes + selected direction
Annotated flats + feature callouts
Trim/components direction + materials intent
Proto-ready BOM guidance (as scoped)
Factory Ready Tech pack
Fit intent notes and sample-ready guidance
Typical timeline: 2–6 weeks (faster if inputs are ready)
Investment framing: Per-style project fee; multi-style bundles available for capsules.
Investment framing: Per-style project fee; multi-style bundles available for capsules.
Typical engagement range: $5k to $40k
CTA: Book a Project Fit Call → “Hero Product Sprint”
CTA: Book a Project Fit Call → “Hero Product Sprint”
CREATIVE DIRECTION
Unify your seasonal aesthetic with a creative direction system that makes product decisions easier. I combine consumer research, trend context, and brand relevance to define silhouette language, materials, color, and detail DNA, so your line looks intentional across categories. Ideal for aligning stakeholders before design, not after the samples arrive.
Best for: brands that want consistent seasonal DNA across categories, and smoother decisions across teams.
Common symptoms
The line lacks cohesion across silhouettes and details
Trends aren’t translating into product decisions
Visual storytelling is inconsistent
Stakeholder alignment happens too late
What I do
I create a creative direction system that connects consumer, culture, and product—so teams share the same visual and functional north star.
I create a creative direction system that connects consumer, culture, and product—so teams share the same visual and functional north star.
Typical deliverables
Creative direction deck (visual language + principles)
Color/material direction (palette, texture, finish)
Silhouette and detail DNA (what makes it “yours”)
Competitive + trend context filtered through brand relevance
Key storylines for product communication
Alignment workshop (optional, highly effective)
Outcome
Faster approvals, fewer opinion battles, and product that looks intentional and brand-specific.
Faster approvals, fewer opinion battles, and product that looks intentional and brand-specific.
Typical engagement level: $4.5k - $10k
DESIGN STRATEGY
Steer your product line with clarity. I align brand voice, consumer insight, and business outcomes to build a line plan where every style has a job-tiers, roles, price architecture, and gaps addressed. The result is a sharper assortment, fewer redundant styles, and decisions that protect margin and improve sell-through.
Best for: brands that need credible, functional product design delivered with speed and factory clarity.
Common symptoms
New styles aren’t landing in the field or at retail
Fit/function compromises show up late (samples/returns)
Design bandwidth is limited internally
Cost is rising without a clear performance payoff
What I do
I design function-first apparel grounded in use-case reality—pairing strong aesthetics with clear feature logic, fit intent, and build direction.
I design function-first apparel grounded in use-case reality—pairing strong aesthetics with clear feature logic, fit intent, and build direction.
Typical deliverables
Concept development and design routes
Annotated flats + feature callouts
Trim and component direction
Materials direction aligned to performance targets
Fit intent guidance by category/use-case
Outcome
Purposeful product that fits better, communicates value, and performs in real conditions—while remaining buildable and margin-aware.
Purposeful product that fits better, communicates value, and performs in real conditions—while remaining buildable and margin-aware.
Typical engagement level: $5k - $20k
ADVANCED CONCEPTS AND INNOVATION
Build a focused innovation roadmap that keeps your brand ahead - without chasing shiny objects. I translate real use-cases into concept routes, rapid prototypes, and a 12-24 month plan your team can execute. Expect clearer priorities, faster learning cycles, and product stories rooted in function and empathy for the end user.
Best for: brands that want a repeatable innovation process (not “random newness”).
Common symptoms
Differentiation is fading season over season
Innovation is reactive and hard to scale
Prototypes are costly, slow, and not generating clear learning
No roadmap, priorities, or decision gates
What I do
I build a structured concept-to-prototype process grounded in real use-cases—turning empathy, research, and exploration into a clear innovation roadmap.
I build a structured concept-to-prototype process grounded in real use-cases—turning empathy, research, and exploration into a clear innovation roadmap.
Typical deliverables
Innovation roadmap (12–24 months) aligned to brand pillars
Use-case and consumer insights summary
Opportunity map (where you can win credibly)
Concept routes (2–4) with feature logic and materials direction
Rapid prototype plan (what to build, test, and iterate)
Decision gates and evaluation criteria
Outcome
A focused pipeline of ideas that convert into real capability, not just new trims and talking points.
A focused pipeline of ideas that convert into real capability, not just new trims and talking points.
Typical engagement level: $5k - $20k
Ask an Expert
US$500
Book a 55min hour professional 1:1 video consultation session with apparel design expert Gerard Smith of GPS Design Studio.
Ask an Expert allows you to take advantage of Gerard’s 23 years of apparel design and outerwear experience in an easily accessible format.
Consult clients have the option to share a presentation, photos or samples on screen via video for discussion purposes. The time is yours to ask your questions and use however most helpful to you!
After payment, Gerard Smith will be in touch to schedule a video call.