Why you need help with your industrial design
A client, such as an inventor, hardware startup, or SME, typically comes to us with questions about their product designs as they are not sure how to make it with the features they want, within their budget, and without quality issues.
Our clients have typically first worked with a designer who has defined the initial look and functionality of the product. However, they are not sure if manufacturing their product based on that design is even possible at all, or if all important considerations have been taken into account.
There are virtually always several solutions, but we find that the best is often to go with the simplest one (which is also usually cheaper and more reliable, too), at least for the first version of a totally new product.
You will work with our impartial design experts who have vast experience in manufacturing in China and India, and a deep understanding of what is and is not possible here in terms of materials and processes.
Ultimately, our product design experts work with you from the design stage to get you closer to where you need to be: Mass production.
We will sign an NDA and then examine your designs and product requirements with a view to providing in-depth feedback.
We will give you insight into possible improvements that will help you to provide a better product for consumers/users and to manufacture it within budget, on time, and at the right quality standard.
We will research what is actually possible in China and India (manufacturing processes, and components) and report back to you the ‘achievability’ of your project based on the availability of resources here. And we can give you our suggestions regarding the new product development process you need to follow (view separate solution page).
This solution will help in your new product development process, especially if you have become stuck at the design stage or have failed to get your new product off the ground before when trying to manufacture it in China, India, or Vietnam.
Many of our clients worked with a design firm, or with a freelance designer, who are not very experienced with Asian manufacturing, or who are not familiar with some materials or processes. This leaves them with a design that is just not compatible with the ‘reality’ to be found in factories here.
In addition, relying on Asian suppliers for the type of analysis & recommendation that we offer in this solution generally does not return the same value, since they will always orient you towards what suits their own particular agenda, abilities, and experience.
For example, a design review, or a prototyping iteration, might point to necessary changes that suppliers might not suggest. Remember, suppliers want to go as fast as possible into mass production, as that’s when they collect payment. Analysis and improvements are usually not their primary objective.
As an illustration, here is a situation we have encountered numerous times. You may suggest a design feature of material that is perfectly achievable in your design, but the Chinese supplier you’re speaking with will tell you that it’s ‘impossible’ simply because they do not have the experience and/or equipment to fulfill your design.
Suppliers may also push you towards certain design changes, using features or materials that they can provide more easily, to the detriment of your product’s quality perception and/or functionality.
Inventors, hardware startups, or SMEs who are developing their own product, but are not familiar with how to improve their designs and get from the design stage to subsequent prototyping, certification, and production.
Especially good for companies or individuals who are stuck having dealt with Chinese agents or suppliers before with no success.
Read more about the danger of developing your custom product with an ODM factory.
You’ll be provided with an initial consultation following requesting this solution if you qualify as a good fit.
Following this, here are the typical stages an industrial design support project follows:
Let’s look in more detail at some of the stages:
- Understand the design intent
What does the inventor or designer want to achieve?
We’ll ask you a lot of questions about the product, such as: “What features it has, impression it should have on users, what distribution channel is used, what cost level (non-recurring engineering, unit cost), timeline, what compliance requirements, and more.” - Examine the concept
Review the design files or mockups (if any) already prepared
See how it aligns with design intent, address potential issues with client. - Study options available in China
Many people come to us with a very specific need that most Chinese component suppliers don’t want to, or can’t, do. We’ll find out what’s truly possible. - Propose improvements that align better with design intent
Indicate the impact of these improvements on costing (tooling…), compliance, and timelines. - Delve deeper into the design (e.g. block diagram) to confirm it is manufacturable at the right cost and without quality issues
For example, we would run mechanical simulations to find probable weaknesses of a design, adding tolerances that make sense.
Protecting your IP is crucial and we never share your proprietary designs with other parties without your prior approval — note that unscrupulous local businesses engage in that type of sharing every day. We encourage having us sign a binding NDA before even seeing your designs, and our standard NDA agreement and development and manufacturing agreements include non-disclosure, non-use, and non-circumvention terms.
Remember, any product IP developed by us for you belongs only to you as you have paid for it. We do not keep ownership of product designs, drawings, etc, and you are free to take them with you at any time.
We have produced a number of resources about IP protection for you to read:
Your design expert will consult via phone and will follow up with phone calls and emails at relevant intervals when progress has been made or they have questions for you.
How much does industrial design support cost?
US$45 per hour with the first hour for free* (*for qualified clients)
Ready to get started with an industrial design support project?
Next steps following industrial design support:
- Feasibility studies (initial prototype, sometimes of only a sub-assembly, for testing: functionality, power consumption, resistance to high heat)
- Creating the first full prototype for confirming the riskiest assumptions
- Creating a look-alike and work-alike prototype for getting funding
