What is product design?
Posted in Product Design on May 20th, 2012 by alexander – Be the first to comment
Article by Georgette Adanas
We are sure you’ve come across the words Product Design or Industrial Design before.
But what is actually Product Design? Is it truly “design” in the classical sense? Or is it some thing totally different. Some thing that everyone speaks about but no one actually knows? What’s the primary difference between “normal” design and Product Design or Industrial Design?
Product Design and Industrial Design is every thing about goods. No surprises here. Yet product and industrial design is about mass-produced things. Items that are produced in thousands and numerous thousands. All these products need a different level of design as the design requires to translated into an engineering file which will be input into a machine, which in turn churns out your product.
Thus , what’s a good example of Product Design? Any mass produced item around you is a good example of product design. The cup staying beside your table is a result of product design. The personal computer , phone or iPad you are reading this article on is a result of Product Design. Your shaver is an example of Product Design and thus , are your earplugs, the coke can you just bought or the TV in your living room.
Industrial Design or Product Design differs to “normal” design. When a designer creates a design for himself or a customer the outcome is, and very likely will be, unique. But Product Design is created from the start to be mass-produced.
A Product Designer or Industrial Designer requires to be aware of production processes and have a great knowledge of manufacturing. He or she needs to know how to make a merchandise that not only looks good but could possibly be created as well.
That is why the approach to product and industrial design is different. You do not just take your pen and get started. You have to be methodical in your approach from the start. Otherwise you will end up with an amazing looking design sketch on paper, which is too difficult or too high priced to make in manufacturing.
At DETEKT we use our verified five-stage model to make sure your new improvements and products won’t end up as just an elegant idea, yet that they make it to the hands of the users.
Stage 1: Investigation:
And thus you wish to produce a cool looking coffee maker. But there is more to it. To whom do you wish to sell it to? American clients, European customers or Chinese customers? Do you focus on young Professionals or retired University Professors? What machines are actually on the market? How are they created? This (many more) thoughts require to be answered in the analysis part.
The research part is just like a market research study. Even so, we choose to call it “Design Research” as the focus is on the Product Design. Throughout this process we check same items on the market, how they are designed, which client group the design is aimed at, what supplies are used and how they’re made.
A thorough research study is required for any Product Design to recognize how the product will be positioned in the industry when it is launched.
Stage two: Concept Design:
Thus you accomplished your research. You know what very similar goods are on the market, how they’re designed, manufactured and what materials are being used. Now it’s time to get going with the design of your new product.
We let our designers take into consideration new revolutionary designs for your product. Depending on the outcomes and agreed route in Stage 1 we’ll design it trendy, traditional or unique to be positioned in which you want it in the market.
Our designer all have production experience. They’re aware what materials we’ll use during production and understand manufacturing processes. So they will not come up with a crazy idea that’s not to produce. Throughout the Concept Design Stage we continually are in contact with you to be sure we hit your requirements right on the spot.
Stage three: Engineering
This is a very important stage. During the engineering stage the concept design is transferred to a 3d CAD file. Files that an industrialmachine can read to produce your items. You must make sure you have experienced engineers involved during this stage. Only half a millimeter excessive or insufficient and your whole product might be a failure.
After this stage we will send to you a viewable three dimensional file to confirm. And thus you can play around with your product on your laptop or computer screen – it is virtually real. But just not quite.
Stage four: Prototyping
That is the enjoyment part. At least for you. It is the first time you will take your good in your own hands. We send the engineering files to our prototype crew. They’ll make a prototype which will feel and look like the end product. There could be some aspects of the product that cannot be imitated at the prototype stage and all these will be outlined in advance. The prototype stage is vital to see how your product will look and perform actually. 3 dimensional personal computer graphics might be nice to look at, yet you need to hold some thing real in your hand to appreciate it.
Stage five: Manufacturing Documents
If you are satisfied with the model we will create the necessary manufacturing documentation to outline each component with the information the factory needs to know. Documentation includes all drawings and files which are necessary for factory to produce your product.
If you want to manufacture your merchandise in China, DETEKT also supports with this. From Design to Engineering, Prototyping and using the right manufacturing supply chain for your needs -everything out of one hand.
Georgette Adanas has been writing content articles on new product design since 1999.
Peek into the the Design Process at Montie Design. Montie Design (www.montie.com) is a product design / development firm in Morrisville, NC. Montie Design is also a founding member of the RTP Product Design & Product Design and Prototyping Co-Op(www.rtpproductguild.com). The video is produced and directed by Chris Chapin (Intern at Montie Design).
Video Rating: 5 / 5
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