Nest’s Makers United Program: Economic access for garment factory owners

Overview

Nest is a non-profit that supports growth and creative engagement of and with the global artisan and maker economy to build better gender equity and economic inclusion. The Makers United program provides NYC Garment District’s factory owners access to resources and market opportunities, so they can serve fashion designers and companies with embroidery, pleating, and production. They may need marketing, financial literacy, or legal assistance.

My role: Qualitative research consultant (assisting Director of Makers United)
Skills: Research, Communications, Landscape Mapping
Duration: 1 year

My Role

I worked as a design research consultant on this project. Some of my responsibilities included:

• x

UI/UX designer on this project. Some of my responsibilities included :

• Planning, defining scope and strategy

• Conducting user interviews and observations

• Facilitate ideation and design decisions

• Sketching, wireframing and prototyping

• User testing and evaluation

• Making changes after obtaining results from User testing

Project overview: Consultancy with to conduct qualitative research and landscape mapping for Makers United, a program aimed at providing access to resources and market opportunities for Garment District’s small business owners

Timeframe: September 2021-June 2022

Problem: NYC’s Garment District has experienced steady economic decline in recent years. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced shops and factories to close for months. Low margins and high rent costs meant that the immigrant business owners struggled to stay afloat. Some filed for bankruptcy while others subsisted on loans and savings.

Key questions:

• What are the Garment District business owners’ specific needs after COVID-19?

• How might we support these immigrant business owners with resources and tools?

• What are opportunities to foster collaboration and community within the Garment District?

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