How we work
Design process:
Design has always been a strength of Icare since the company started 25 years ago. Icare has an integrated team of 9 designers, based in Hong Kong and Spain, with solid training and experience in frame design for Europe and the US. We can execute your design or help you design your collection from anything you have: photos, hand drawings, trend books, Illustrator drawings, or CAD. Some of our clients just come with... what they have in mind! It will take our team about two weeks to design a collection from your brief. More importantly, we have extensive experience in translating a brand DNA into a product, a critical key to success in the market. We will submit Illustrator renderings first and then technical CAD drawings or 3D renderings for validation before prototyping. This step allows us to check the feasibility of each part and be ready to go for prototyping.
Our own collection developments:
Icare develops over 600 models per year for our customers to see our latest developments, techniques, colours, shapes, etc., and that are available for inspiration, enrichment of existing collections, or purchase on an exclusivity basis, as most of our clients have international exposure.
Prototyping and colour tries:
From approved technical drawings, we will then prepare a set of prototypes so that our client can visualize and test design, shapes, sizes, fit, and general outlook of each product. The client will modify and ask for another set of prototypes prior to going for colour tries. Colour tries allow the client to test colours on each of their models and to confirm production. In order to shorten development time, some clients decide to go straight for colour tries from technical drawings. It does cut development time by 4 to 5 weeks.
Production:
Once colour tries are confirmed by the client, we are ready to receive the final order and go for production.
Computerization of the production:
The production in Icare is run by a proprietary database which provides us with accurate timelines, analysis, profitability, and traceability at each production step. Planning and production plans are essential in production to ensure long-term reliability of our delivery times. This database is the result of 25 years of experience in manufacturing and helps us to monitor and plan our production for the whole Group.
