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We are fortunate to work with design partners we
admire, both personally and professionally. Each brings
personality, vibrancy, and their own particular way of
working, collectively playing a role in defining the diverse
yet constant aesthetic of De La Espada. Each collaboration
is unique, yet all require close communication in order
to harness the unique skills of each partner and work
toward a common vision. Key to this process is our product
development team.
Andrew, Kuma, Ruben and André work closely with our
collaborating designers as well as our craftspeople, serving
as a vital connection between the numerous stages involved
in realising a product. Implementing their philosophy of
constant improvement, the team connects every stage from
designer to end client, considering and refining products
in response to feedback from everyone involved, from those
who design and build to the final customer.
When a designer submits sketches or 3D models of a new
design, the product team creates CAD (Computer Aided
Design) drawings using them as a guide. They communicate
OUR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TEAM
closely with the designer to understand the intricacies
of what they wish to achieve, and by combining their own
expertise with that of our craftspeople, they work to
realise that vision. They ensure the product fulfils the
goal of the designer while optimising it for CAM (Computer
Aided Machinery), assembly, and performance.
The team creates “the first passes of the prototypes, send
them back to see if [the designers] are happy with the
production, and if it will become the final product or if
we need to tweak it to what they specify,” says Ruben.
It’s essentially a first draft, whereupon they will get
feedback from other members of their team, the production
manager and the head carpenter. “Then we’ll create a second
draft which will be a little bit more refined because
it’s trying to make everyone happy from the CAM point of
view, from the assembly point of view, from the experience
point of view,” says André. The team keeps a close eye
on production, checking on the progress of the first
prototypes, and working with the upholstery department on
patternmaking.
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“We are the ones who connect all the dots.”
