This is all of the prototype describing information that I have provided throughout the year. I have added the information requested upon our prototype meeting. Any missing information (costs and cost breakdown) will be presented in our final assignment.
NYX is asking for the full 10% bonus with our information provided and the three prototypes as seen in the above photos and at the final pitch.
Dear Evan,
Please review the following for the NYX Resistance Prototype proposal.
Prototype Description:
As our prototype strategy is that of a ghetto mash up we have been and will continue to build the prototype in stages:
a. NYX met with Erin (a UofC Kinesiology Student) to compete our first prototype – this was a basic long sleeve cotton t-shirt that has written on it a mapping of muscle groups (please see blog for visual)
b. NYX advisor Barb and NYX teammate Casey met on a weekend to complete the first working prototype. This took over 5 hours to complete and can also be found on the blog. It has resistance properties and materials as well as moisture wicking and compression features.
c. The final prototype will be created within the next couple weeks. A due date will have to be discussed reviewed and communicated between NYX, Barb and yourself. This prototype will address issues from the last prototype. The prototype will be the last and the highest functioning prototype given the finances, tools and time available.
In my humble opinion I feel that working prototype 1 (bullet point 2) is worth at least 5%. The 5 hours to complete did not include designing the shirt, gathering the materials or the 3 hrs total travel time to Barb’s office location. NYX feels that a third and final prototype (bullet point 3) should easily give NYX a 10% bonus as a great deal of effort, money and time will be put into the prototype, especially considering that both NYX teammates and advisors have other priorities besides the creation of prototypes at this time.
All three prototypes can be brought in for examination at anytime and will be produced in time to meet the deadline. If a meeting is required to discuss this information further please provide NYX with times that will fit your schedule.
Sincerely,
Casey Stitt on behalf of NYX Resistance
Hi Evan,
Sorry for the delay in my response, I have been swamped with life lately.
The descriptions of the current prototype features are as follows:
1. Moisture wicking fabric
2. Compression fabric
3. High resistance fabrics targeting specific muscle groups
What I have learnt from designing and building this prototype:
a. What we used to create resistance was several layers of spandex. Although this created high resistance it turned out to be very heavy. It also decreased the moisture wicking functions of the shirt.
b. Cutting, measuring and sewing several layers of fabric is very time intensive. Realistically we could not mass produce this as effectively as another design.
c. The shirt we used as a base layer was not tight enough to offer the support required to target the muscles.
I will be altering the design of the shirt as well as the inputs for the final prototype. First of all, the shirt will be much tighter than the last. It will fit skin tight to our model and rep Ian. I will not be using spandex as resistance materials for the final model. I will instead be using elastic fabrics that offer high resistance without layering. I will also be adding a mesh fabric to the shirt to ensure that the shirt will be moisture wicking through the elastic fabric. Lastly, I will alter the visuals of the shirt. The last prototype was done to show the isolation of muscle groups. The final shirt will be an athletic shirt that will be visually pleasing.
I hope this clears things up. I will include another explanation of the features for the final prototype on the blog once I have created the shirt. This will be created to explain the prototype for the final 5% bonus.
On an unrelated topic, I was wondering if we are inviting the advisors to the finals on December 8th. In my opinion the advisors may like to see the final works of students that they have supported this semester.
Thanks,
Casey and NYX Resistance
Dear Evan,
The final prototype has been created and the images have been posted on the blog. This is NYX’s final proposal for the remaining 5% bonus for this prototype.
Prototype number three is the last stage of ghetto mash up and makes the connection between experiment and the sales ready prototype. The features of this prototype are as follows:
The Hades Model:
· The base layer fits next to skin to ensure compressive and moisture wicking properties
· Mesh venting to ensure that moisture wicking is still possible through thicker layers of fabrics, especially around the resistance zones
· New elasto-resistant fabric (elastane) to ensure a lighter shirt, higher resistance, fewer layers and a more focused/targeted muscle working surface
· Sticky lining along the bottom of shirt to ensure that there is no slip so that the shirt is continually working the body
· Visually appealing design, NYX branding, logo branding and focus has shifted slightly away from technical to visual
· Elaboration of previous point: much of the resistance materials have been hidden and/or placed within the shirt to add to visual appeal
Inputs:
Shirt, thread, elastic, needles, sticky lining, mesh fabrics, labour, transportation, design hours
Justification:
This final prototype is worth the final 5% because it takes into account the issues of the previous working prototype. This shirt is lighter, tighter, more moisture wicking and it is a simpler design. The issues addressed for the first 5% have been solved and fixed for this prototype.
This prototype is more prepared for sale aesthetically speaking since care and time has been put into the visual components of the shirt. There is a large change in the physical features of the shirt. Much of the resistance material has been placed on the inside of the shirt to hide the functional design and aid in the aesthetics. The use of color and design has added a finished quality to the final design. Additionally, a logo has been designed and created can be seen on the shirt. Our brand name, NYX is also visible and ready to advertise for us.
The venting and different use of materials has created a lighter, sturdier shirt that is just as functional. Another feature that has been added is the stick grip elastic on the bottom of the shirt to keep it in place. It is a tighter fit to make sure we are meeting the bare minimum requirement for the market (compression and moisture wicking).
The inputs of this shirt have been more costly. Gathering inputs, the creation and building of the shirt has taken more time and resources. Visually, financially and physically this shirt has been more challenging than the last by a large shot. The improvements are measurable by the written information above as well as a physical examination of the shirt itself. This shirt took 11.5 hours to build as opposed to 5. The costs of the inputs more than tripled and this does not include the hypothetical cost of labour involved (the first shirt cost just over 20 dollars). The three hour trip to Barb Stitt’s location we still made (aka: transportation). Lastly, the difficulty of this design and build has more than doubled. This effort deserves the additional 5% bonus grade. As always, the shirts can be seen for examination at any point, so let’s set up a meeting!
Thanks Evan! Enjoy your weekend.
Casey and the NYX Team
Competitive Advantages:
Several patents covering several designs will ensure that the competition will have to work to copy our product. The first model, The Hades, is one of several that will be created and sold.
Endorsements will also play a role in keeping NYX competitive. Professional athletes will use NYX products because they will see improvements in their game. Paid endorsements along with word of mouth communication filtering down from the pros will keep gossip focused on NYX.
In the first year we will be manufacturing in house. As we will be Canadian born and manufactured this will encourage clientele to purchase local goods. When it comes down for Canadians to choose what product to purchase this may be a deciding factor.
In the second year we will be moving our manufacturing overseas to reduce costs. If competition breaks out into a price war NYX may be able to keep costs low due to this change. This will ensure that NYX will be able to still compete for a piece of the market.
Risk Management:
Risk management will be handled through extensive testing. The human performance lab will test out all of the functions that each design will have. Any mistakes or possible injuries will be identified before sales.
Business and liability insurance will be purchased to protect NYX against any claims or lawsuits that may arise above and beyond testing.