About a month ago, Zoya Designs started a new not-for-profit project of making masks for all who needs them. We decided right away that there should be different sizes to accommodate all ages groups. Our specialty is in custom design and a personalized approach to every customer, so a mass production project such as this was, and still is, a brand new experience for Zoya Designs.
first kid’s version, Valentina looks pretty great in it!
We figured out quickly that there are a lot of small nuances to a perfectly fitted mask. After fitting a few prototypes on our families, the first mask pattern in four sizes - XS for little kids, S for bigger kids, M for teens and women, and L for men - went into production. The idea of this pattern was to fit snugly at the nose, cheekbones, and at the chin.
Once we ran out of the supply of the fabrics and the elastics, we discovered that ordering those supplies was much more difficult in pandemic times - the prices are 4-5 times more than usual, the shipping time frames are in weeks or months, instead of days. Then, when we finally got some supplies, it quickly became evident that not all elastics are created equal - the feedback from customers showed the type of elastic has to be soft and stretchy, and flat, if it has to go around the head. Moreover, the length of elastics had to be adjusted.
this version has been redesigned for the face a little, and with a removable for washing nose bridge added. Konstantin was gracious enough to model it!
We then discovered that for people who tend to talk a lot in their masks, it is helpful to have a nose bridge wire and a longer chin space, otherwise the mask slips. Then, for people who wear glasses, the around-the-head elastic and a nose bridge wire work best. In fact, it seemed that for those who have to constantly use the mask (not just run out to the grocery store and such), nose bridge wire was an important addition.
Current pattern - smaller cheek size, more room for nose and mouth, more coverage under chin. And yes, I definitely need a haircut…
After getting some more feedback, the patterns themselves were made smaller. Then, later, bigger. Then, again, smaller in some places and bigger in others. We realized that we are in front of the task of making one pattern in each size, to fit many faces, of each age group. This is quite new concept for us, given that we are used to working with one customer at the time, with a chance to take individual measurements. We were up to the challenge, however!
So, we scrapped the current pattern, contacted more family members, and asked them to take a very specific set of measurements of the face. Over this weekend, a new pattern was born, based on a the average of a few different measurements. Today, I made the prototype of a new mask, and I have to tell you, it was a right move! The mask feels snug, but not restricting. There is a little extra room for the nose and for the mouth. It seems to fit much better under the chin, and has just enough room to be comfortable while talking. It also doesn’t seem to press on ears, whether it is behind the head or around the ears.
Will this mask fit each face exactly perfectly? I hope so, but I accept there will be a margin of otherwise. I do believe that this is the better fitting mask than we had before, and I would love to hear your opinion on how it fits you and your family!
The old and updated patterns of Zoya Designs masks project
