On the occasion of the arrival of the P'tit Evo in our ranges, we invite you to dive with us behind the scenes of creating a baby carrier.
From the initial idea to carrying your little one, the journey is long and full of obstacles! Shall we tell you about it?
1 - The origins: the idea
It seems simple written like that, but finding new product development ideas, it's sometimes a real headache! Especially since it’s not just about designing an item, but first ensuring that it will be aligned with parents' needs that we support.
At Néobulle, since the carrying range has become quite extensive, the field of possibilities narrows. However, there are still some gaps to fill, and notably we had in mind for a while that it was a shame not to offer a baby carrier inspired by Asian designs (mei-tai) that would be suitable for a newborn.
The mei-tai is a perfect compromise between wrap carriers and preformed baby carriers. It combines comfort and the enveloping feel with the ease of installation. To learn more about mei-tai, click here! Our évolu'bulle, which falls into this category, is very well appreciated but it only allows carrying from 3 months old, which is too late for many families who love the cocoon-like feeling of a wrap but do not want to learn the knots.
With more and more requests from carrying instructors (indicating that the interest was also present among parents for whom it would be intended), we decided to embark on this adventure!
2 - Defining the criteria
The first step in design is to define the specifications that the baby carrier must meet. For us, it included:
- suitable for a newborn
- expandable shoulder straps
- easy to use
- comfortable
- evolving
- at an affordable price
And of course, in addition to Néobulle's usual requirements, including the complete components of the baby carrier made in France, sewing done in our workshops in Saint-Bonnet-le-Château (42), and fabric certified organic cotton without toxic dyes.
The shoulder straps were a tricky point because depending on whether you carry in front or on the back, the behavior of the strap changes: in front, the straps that unfold are often more comfortable, but on the back, they are less stretchable and padded straps are then preferable. Since the P'tit Evo is intended for carrying young babies, we favored front carrying but included removable padding for parents who might use it on the back later.
Having similar age criteria to those of the Néo model,
(our preformed baby carrier for 0-2 years), very naively we thought that it would be easy and that it would be enough to reuse the same apron and replace the straps (spoiler alert: no!).
In general, it is important that the ranges are coherent and that the specifications take into account the other baby carriers we offer so that all complement each other in their use and that it is easy for parents to find their way around.
3 - The prototypes
The prototype is the realization, the moment when we start serious things.
It is also the moment when we often realize that the idea that seemed brilliant on paper is actually disastrous! Take this story of reusing the Neo apron, for example: well it doesn’t work at all. Because between the preformed straps and mei-tai straps, the tension lines applied to the apron are not at all the same, and we ended up with a very wrinkled fabric and a baby that was not at all wrapped. Critical failure.
To better explain the course of this testing phase, you need to imagine that there are several people involved more or less closely, and who need to coordinate, all across different locations!
Séverine (the big boss) sends precise manufacturing instructions to Caroline (our prototype sewing specialist).
Caroline makes a prototype at home.
Elise (who is responsible for home seamstresses) picks it up to bring it back to Séverine.
Séverine has Delphine (the carrier instructor) try it on when she is in the premises.
Delphine notes what’s wrong.
Séverine and Delphine rack their brains trying to understand how to fix it, noting everything carefully on the analysis and report sheet (or rather: forgetting to note it, then getting scolded by Elise for thinking about it and doing it)
Elise brings everything back to Caroline, who creates a new prototype taking the comments into account.
etc... etc...
Of course, every time we correct something, there’s a risk that it will modify everything else! Starting with a strap that doesn’t fit, ending with an apron that’s too loose, then returning to poorly fitting straps...
The corrections must take into account the result in carrying, but without forgetting that it is not only about producing a prototype, then our seamstresses must be able to manufacture it on a large scale without too much risk of error (which could lead to later after-sales returns).
In the middle, it’s also necessary to insert tests with other instructors to get their opinions and ideas, always very valuable. And real babies. , because babies are just substitutes that are not always realistic enough in their behaviors. Also with parents of various morphologies to ensure that the baby carrier will fit everyone. Friends and family are then involved (they serve science and it's their joy!).
And above all, after a while, you need to try to make sense of the different trials, correct without reproducing the previously encountered problems (after 7 or 8 prototypes, it becomes difficult!), not to mix up the prototypes... and not to give up!
4 - The Holy Grail!
15 prototypes and several hours of head-scratching later, finally, the Grail! The perfect prototype! Dance of joy and champagne, we can now launch production!
Our little hands in the workshop are briefed on all the details of manufacturing: cutting, sewing, tips for assembly, nothing is left to chance. They are the ones who add the little doses of love and sleep powder necessary for the baby to be perfectly settled and soothed!
The baby carrier is sent for testing to ensure it complies with safety standards.
And meanwhile in the offices, we need to prepare the launch:
- Photo shoot (thanks to our one-day models!)
- Step-by-step photos for the manual
- Video tutorials
- Color choices and their names
- Packaging design
- Manual creation (layout, texts, legal notices...)
- Internal training on usage (so everyone can advise you properly afterwards!)
- Product sheets for our websites, partners, and resellers
- and I forget some!
5 - It's starting
Finally, the big launch day! Moment of truth: will our little newcomer appeal to you? Did we think of everything? A big release is always a bit stressful. Coincidence of the calendar: from idea to sale, about 9 months will have passed (which is exceptionally short! We are usually closer to the gestation of an elephant than that of humans!)... At Nébulle, baby carriers are our real babies ;-)
And so: do you like this little evo?!
