UK product design case study | MakTie safety tie for professionals
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MakTie | The safety tie

Prototype of MakTie buttoned safety tie on suit
Maktie logo

Mariusz Makowski is a construction engineer by day and inventor by night. You may think that’s quite an unlikely mix. But when you read about his struggle to maintain style with safety, you’ll soon understand the connection of why his safety product, MakTie, was developed.

The idea came at work. Mariusz is a site engineer splitting his time between the office and on a construction site. He was continually moving around inside the office and outside on site, and was extremely conscious of his tie moving about. It would blow around in the wind and worryingly dangle uncontrollably around machinery. Not wearing a tie simply wasn’t an option so he started thinking about solutions.

Developing the concept

Research began with investigating what products already existed. A tie pin seemed the most obvious solution but it didn’t fully work. The tie bulged if it was pinned towards the bottom. Or when pinned in the middle, it still tangled. Certainly not safe near machinery! So armed with an initial idea to fully attach the tie to a shirt, Mariusz contacted Simple Design Works to develop his concept further.

We created a highly visual presentation conveying the concepts with associated information and instructional annotations. This allowed Mariusz to evaluate the designs against each other and provide feedback to us so that the product could be further engineered.

Initial idea and conceptual sketches of the buttoned safety tie product

Presenting the concept

We’d already worked with him on other inventions so he knew he could rely on us to make his concept a reality. First, we carried out some initial research of similar products. Then the design team huddled together to generate lots of additional ideas. This is a powerful way to quickly clarify thinking as well as define project goals. We studied all elements of the tie – how the materials looked and performed when it was cut and sewn in different places, the structure of the tie itself as well as the functionality to fix the tie firmly in place. We created a highly visual presentation conveying the concepts with associated information and instructional annotations. This allowed Mariusz to evaluate the designs against each other and provide feedback to us so the product could be further engineered.

Photography compilation of the manufacturing of the buttoned safety tie product

Turning a concept into a prototype

We then set about moving it from a concept to a prototype. We obtained tie samples with different material types, weights, finishes and sizes to create prototypes. Naturally we worked extremely closely with Mariusz so we guided each other towards a product ready for manufacture. Delivering on our client’s expectations is an aspect that we’re continually appraised of. Our brand values include ‘human’, ‘supportive’, ‘collaborative’ and ‘clarity’. We work hard to ensure that accurately reflects our client’s experience of working with us.

With a principle in place, we produced a series of drawings ready to find and instruct a manufacturer who could produce a high quality bespoke tie. Alongside this stage, we worked with Mariusz on his MakTie brand and online shop.

The solution

So what is this solution that firmly holds a tie in place? In each MakTie tail is a series of button holes which subtly attach to your shirt buttons. You can’t see the fixing when it’s in place making it particularly discreet. Now a beautifully handcrafted range of ties are available for sale that not only look great but perform too. You can buy your own MakTie online.

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