Companies that produce user-friendly, innovative products are able to blend functionality and design. To bring a functional, innovative product into the marketplace requires plenty of hard work. Any new device has to go through rigorous testing and be usable and workable on every level before it can be sold commercially.
The product design process
Product design combines art, science technology. It’s a complex process that is supported today by evolving techniques and visual tools that help with visualization before creation.
Research and discovery: Designing a product usually begin with a research and discovery process. This involves assessing concrete facts and figures in an attempt to develop more understanding of product users.
For example, Vaping 360 is a company that produces starter vaping kits and it had to assess what problems first-time vapers may experience when designing its products.
Problem definition: From the research, it can be established where users’ problems lie.
Ideation: This is the process of brainstorming and generating creative ideas to solve a problem. Once the potential solutions have been narrowed down, the best ideas are highlighted.
Prototype: The best ideas can now be turned into prototypes which are a tactile representation of them. After building the prototype, feedback is obtained from users. At this stage, tweaks can be made and if a prototype does not perform as expected, further ideas may have to be brainstormed.
Product design stages
Within the broad stages mentioned above, detailed stages are followed in a systematic way to design successful products.
The Design Brief states what problem is to be addressed and serves as a starting point for the design team. The Product Design Specification (PDS) is more detailed. Design is a solution outlined by the design team.
When a design team receives a new product concept, it has to be analyzed by product design experts to see if it is viable. The designers may make sketches to help them visualize the product and see it from all angles.
Engineers will then look at the sketches and calculate how much it will cost to manufacture a prototype. A basic CAD design is probably created at this stage when the product is still being discussed and analyzed.
As an idea is developed further, the design becomes more detailed. When most of the kinks have been ironed out and the final concept is chosen, it can then be designed in detail with all the right dimensions and specifications. When the final prototype is created, it should be tested in close to real scenarios.
The design team has to work closely with manufacturing to ensure practical aspects of production and supply. For example, manufacturers have to work out of large scale manufacture.
Quality control during manufacture is important to make sure that a device fulfills its purpose. Many firms outsource shipping and fulfillment of product orders to the manufacturer, who ensures that products are delivered to buyers on time.
Factors affecting product design
Some of the factors affecting product design are costs, ergonomics, materials and customer requirements. It is very important to keep the customer in mind throughout the process.
Aesthetics, fashion culture also play a part. Another consideration in design is the impact on the environment. Taking all of these factors into account requires expertise, time and attention to detail.
Last word
The work of bringing a new product to market is extensive and it has to be done systematically if it is to create a long-term impact on consumers. It also has to be done by taking a critical and analytical view, making changes wherever necessary. When all the elements come together, product designs can be functional, aesthetically pleasing and innovative.