Archetype vs Variation Modeling

Overview

In production, there are two types of products in each collection (family): archetypes and variations.          

  • Archetype is a representative design of a product, which is modeled from scratch. It can be a unique product or a part of a collection (family).
  • Variation is a product that is a derivative of a design and is modeled (modified) from a product that has already been modeled (archetype).

The approach for choosing the archetype is that the archetype will always be the most complex product with the most precise and sufficient product data provided of that collection (family). It contains all elements (objects, geometries) from that particular family. If a model is not part of a family, then it is unique and it is an archetype. In one family, there can be more archetypes, depending on how various the models in that family are.

The variations are the remaining products from the same family. They are similar to the archetypes, often with different dimensions, modified add-ons, etc. 

Modeling process

In order to have a faster turnaround time in mass production, we implemented the archetype approval process. The archetype approval process creates the correct representation of one product from a furniture family and afterward bases all of the other products from the same family on that final product.            

  • The first step in the process is to pick the correct archetypes from each collection (family). For more detailed information about choosing the right archetypes, please refer to this document. After the archetypes have been identified and marked as such, all of the remaining products of the same family are identified as variations.
  • When the family is initiated for modeling, the variations are automatically put on hold, and they will be locked. They will remain locked until the archetype of that family is approved.
  • The modeling process begins with one or, in some cases, more archetypes from the family. The product goes through the whole process of modeling, QA, content loading, client review, feedback processing, model editing, etc.
  • After the archetype is approved, the variations are automatically unlocked, and the modeling process can begin.
  • The variations are modeled by using the archetype as a primary source of truth. The variations must be created by using the archetype model as a starting point. Variations are never modeled from scratch.

Variations modeling

Client feedback is not allowed on the variation, as long as they match the approved archetype. Because of that, it is very important that the variations are modeled very carefully and precisely following the approved archetype.    

The two primary pieces of data used when creating the variations are the archetype and the dimensions. Basically, the archetype is duplicated and edited, so that it matches with the provided dimensions for the variations in that product’s CMS product page.

The image references for variations are only used for checking the differences in details between the archetype and variations, such as number of seams, number of cushions, number of legs, etc. If the image references of the variations have different details such as: different leg types, differences in wrinkles, differences in plumpness, shape, or other similar differences, those details will be disregarded and won’t be modeled on the variation model.

Make sure that as much detail as possible from the archetype is used when creating the variations. Everything that can be reused should be reused.  

Here is a video guide about how to simply create a variation using the approved archetype:

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