In a semester-long project, our class designed and managed our own company, the Bison Builders, to conduct a service project for the Heiter Community Center. We funded the project by selling 150 hoodies to the local community.
To tackle a project of this size, the class was split into five divisions (business, service, communications, human resources, accounting & financial management) with each student performing a different role. Represented here are my responsibilities as product manager, work on the product's design, and the business division’s role in bringing a product to market.
Project Type: Academic
Company: Bison Builders
Role: Product Manager & Graphic Designer
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
To finance the service project, we considered several product ideas, including crew necks, baseball caps, and hoodies. Additionally, there were multiple designs presented to print on the products. To assess consumer preferences and estimate demand, the company sent out surveys to the campus community with the different options being considered.
The results concluded that a hoodie was the most popular product, and my sketch, a state postcard-inspired graphic that would highlight our college town of Lewisburg, was the most popular design.
Building off of my original sketch (top left), I created several mockups with input from the class to explore possible shapes and colors palettes for the graphic.
PRODUCTION
The business division identified Jordanna Adams (a local retailer) as the best option to screen print our product. As product manager, I served as the primary point of contact with the supplier, working with them to create a supplier contract, assist with the printing of the first hoodie, and conduct quality control inspections with my fellow division members once the order was ready.
Final Design Placement (Back)
Final Design Placement (Front)
OUTCOME
The Bison Builders sold all 150 sweatshirts and even placed a small reorder to meet demand. The profits generated covered the cost of supplies for our service project, and all members of the company helped repaint and renovate the community center’s kitchen and main office space. Moreover, supplementary fundraising efforts allowed us to offer the Heiter Community Center a donation to support their ongoing efforts in the Lewisburg community.
Photo taken by Morgan Bullis