The Engagement

How we work

Four ways to engage with TPC.

We scope each engagement around what the brand requires, as a retainer or a defined project.

The Product Assortment Audit

An evaluation of the assortment and the process led by The Product Collective. The audit evaluates:

  • Assortment by category, price tier and material mix
  • Design language, proprietary details and brand adherence across the product
  • Competitive brand positioning
  • White space by category and price point
  • Go-to-market process
  • AI workflows, where applicable

Strategic Lead

We lead the product function alongside founders, CEOs, and leadership teams. Design language, assortment, development, and go-to-market run as one connected system. We can also join the leadership team as a fractional or interim head of product.

Targeted Engagement

A single workstream led end to end. A brand reposition, an assortment audit, a launch, or a category strategy, scoped to what the work requires.

Extended Team

A senior product, design, and development team assembled and led by TPC, embedded alongside the internal team for the duration of the build.

How we use AI

AI scales human ability.

We use it for anything repetitive, which makes us more efficient and lets us focus on judgment. AI gathers the signals and relies on the past. Interpreting those signals and taking a brand into the future is our work.

Where we apply it

  • Market, consumer and trend research
  • Analysis and competitor website reviews
  • Verifying findings
  • Graphic design
  • Day-to-day operations, such as invoicing and scheduling

How we work with it

  • Clear communication and critical thinking
  • AI workflows that are platform-agnostic
  • Defined processes for the tasks we automate
  • A set standard for what great looks like, so every outcome is evaluated against our best practices

What is done by humans

  • Trend forecasting
  • Product strategy
  • Design direction, including sketches and concepts
  • Proprietary design language and brand codes
  • Product narrative and storytelling
  • White space: what the customer wants that the assortment doesn’t yet offer
  • Curation: what to protect and what to cut
  • Craftsmanship: evaluating whether a piece is beautiful, technically viable and well made
  • Recommendations and priorities
  • Leading and training the team

Client information never goes into public AI tools.