During my travels, I spent some time working as a consultant in China and visiting factories to assess their suitability for various products. Seeing how things are made in mass production is so important for becoming a better designer – it makes you realise how your designs can avoid being wasteful (both material and time-wise), and ensures you spend that extra time considering the details which allow for a smooth production. The same theory goes for even a small craft project – if you make a good plan before, and practice, then the final result will always be better.
I visited all sorts of factories – electronics, lighting, watches, plastics…. but I have chosen some images from textile factories which I think you will be most interested in. For example, the handbag factory, where every tiny part of the process is broken down for the production line, with each person working on a specific part or assembly, such as attaching the strap to the bag.
Seeing behind the scenes is an eye-opener which most people don’t have the opportunity to experience. I really appreciate the work put into every item I buy, and feel lucky to understand so much about how things are made!
Sports product in manufacture
Screen printing en masse
Visiting a handbag factory
