DESIGN

Your image is your identity.  At Superior, we understand that our Customers want to leave a lasting impression through their attire, and creating that impression is the specialty of our Design staff.

The Creative Juices Are Always Flowing!
Our Design department is based out of our corporate offices, and features talented designers who hold degrees from accredited fashion institutes.  We also employ researchers, illustrators, project coordinators, pattern makers, sample makers and color specialists.  From the earliest concept stages, through garment and program completion, our sole objective is to interpret our Customer’s image through distinctive, stylish and functional uniform apparel.

The department is made up of very versatile, talented artists who react quickly to our Customer’s ever-growing and changing needs.  Our designers are responsible for designing or sourcing custom elements of our uniform programs, including special fabrics, findings and embroidery tapes.  Our team members create everything from design board presentations to Customer garment samples, and work diligently to ensure timely flow of all elements in our custom design programs.  Whether they are designing an entirely new program or determining just the right enhancements to refresh an existing one, our team members eagerly rise to any new creative challenge.

Through talent and innovation, the members of our Design team work hard to promote our Customer’s individual identities, helping to ensure the positive visual impression that they desire.

Talent & Technology Go Hand-In-Hand
Our Design staff uses the latest computer technology to create our stock garments, as well as those for custom uniform presentations.  Most of our designing is done on CAD systems which operate popular software that has been heightened to better serve the apparel industry.  We use altered versions of programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Micrographix Designer, Illustrator and InDesign, in addition to a number of Gerber applications.  We also have the ability to accept and transmit MAC or PC-compatible graphics in tif, jpg, pdf, eps, psd, etc.  Team members work from a common graphics database, which they have created and continuously build upon.

Research + Testing = Functional, High-Quality Fashion
Our designers derive some of their direction from trend forecasting services, along with the utilization of industry-related periodicals and commercial publications.  They are responsible for utilizing field research to track retail and commercial trends.  Textile and trim vendors keep the Design department abreast of new fabrications and color forecasting, in part by constantly updating our in-house resource library.  Our Design team attends textile trade shows, and regular meetings are conducted at both our corporate offices and on location with all of the key domestic and global mills. 

The Design team has broad-range experience in developing new uniform programs based upon Customer-specific requirements.  Multiple types of research and testing are utilized to ensure ongoing feedback, including questionnaires, surveys, focus groups and on-site wear tests.  Through their research and meetings with the Customer, they are able to guide in the selection of fabric and apparel styles that are image-appropriate and functional for the end-user.  Issues of finishes, care and style are also an integral part of the fabric and design selection processes.

In addition, our in-house Quality Assurance Laboratory is a leader in the industry.  We test fabrics in order to eliminate some of the pitfalls that could become obvious after garments are put into the field.  Our lab allows us to test for pilling, shrinkage, color retention (under assorted wash standards), abrasion, tear strength and other factors that can adversely affect the wear life of our garments.

Apparel That Works For You
Uniforms are truly a melding of form and function.  Our team has the creativity and experience to give you both.  At Superior, we design garments meant to perform in your specific work environment within your budgetary requirements.  We offer individualized solutions for even the most unique apparel requirements.

Our Design staff is extremely skilled at considering the functionality of the items in your apparel program.  As we like to say, “It’s not just a pretty picture.”  There are many criteria to be examined when designing uniform garments for our Customers.  After collecting vital end-user preference information from one or more preliminary meetings with the Customer, research is conducted examining many areas.  These include: overall company philosophy, industry-specific trends, workplace environment, etc.  All of these elements are taken into consideration before offering our recommendations to the Customer, who ultimately makes the final determinations.  Our designers are creative, yet realistic, in their approach.  Our entire staff is trained to consider the durability, utilization and overall performance of our apparel.  In other words, we always design with the end-user in mind.

And The Award Goes To …
Superior has received numerous awards and acknowledgements for our designs.  Some recent nods have included “Purveyor of the Year”, “Image of the Year” and “Creative Concepts in Uniform”.  The most meaningful recognitions are those that come from our Customers.  We thank them for expressing their appreciation and acknowledging the continuous hard work put forth by all of our hard working Associates.