From ideation … to production … to market, we can help you to realize your Product
Design & Marketing Brief and Ideation
We prepare a Design & Marketing Brief with our clients, which includes details about product objectives and requirements, competitive market research, opportunities where novel features and benefits would be advantageous and how the product is intended to be marketed. Designs are conceptualized, rendered and reviewed in relation to the Brief. For disruptive products, this process can require many imaginative ideas!
Designs and Prototypes
Preliminary 3D part and assembly designs are rendered to establish important functional, geometric and aesthetic features of the product. Prototype 3D designs are then developed, and functional prototypes are created using rapid prototyping methods to validate critical aspects of the design. Product colours, logos and other product branding are developed. Presentation prototypes that include the product branding are made, which can be used to solicit sales opportunities and market feedback. A preliminary valuation of the product is also done.
Marketing Plan and Production Product & Packaging Designs
A marketing plan, which includes graphic renderings and videos of the presentation prototypes in use, is developed to support the client’s marketing goals. Feedback is obtained from focus groups, prospective customers and buyers, trade shows and through Facebook ads. Concurrently, detailed 3D and 2D production part and assembly designs, which include material, tolerance and quality specifications, are completed to allow the production parts, assembly and part-specific tooling to be quoted. Part and assembly designs are optimized for performance, aesthetics, moldability and cost. Specifications for surface finish, colour, graphics, logos and part identification are included, whether molded-in or applied separately. The retail packaging is designed to contain the product and enhance its appeal.
Parts, Assembly & Tooling Sourcing and Management
Sourcing decisions are crucial to realize the expected value of the product. We help our clients to obtain the most reliable and cost-competitive suppliers for the production tooling, parts, assembly, packaging and shipping, either from domestic or off-shore sources. We directly manage and participate in the design, construction and testing of the production tooling to ensure it is built to the requirements, and where possible, routinely visit the suppliers. Similarly, we work directly with parts and assembly suppliers to enable their “best practices” are implemented into the product. We identify the fastest and most economical ways to implement any product design or tooling design changes that are identified during the tool build, following tool testing and once in production.
Production Launch and Order Fulfillment
A robust quality control plan is implemented to ensure the production parts and assembly meet the specifications of the production product design. The production tooling is tested to ensure it is capable of producing the desired part quality at the desired rate. Shipping and logistics arrangements are made to ensure the product is delivered to the appropriate warehouse or distribution center in a timely manner. With the client’s approval, orders can then begin to be filled.
Design Refresh & Cost Saving Ideas
No product design is ever finished and rarely is a design timeless. Advancements are made in new technologies, competitors enter the market, the market changes with new trends, customers demand cost decreases and margins diminish. It’s time for a design refresh! We strive to help you figure out what is next!
“Orion Nebula”, Hubble Space Telescope
Digitally printed on inTILE WORKS tiles