As a business owner looking to launch your next product, you may need to engage with designers, engineers and manufacturers to bring that concept from prototype to production. This can be a complex process, especially if you’re not experienced in this area of industry. How do you go about finding partners? And how do you know they’re right for your specific needs? Here are some tips on what to look for when hiring a Product Design Consultancy.

– What is your budget for design development? Knowing how much money you have to work with will help guide the rest of your product design and development process. First of all it’s a good idea to consider the type of service you’re looking for. Are you searching for an agency that can handle everything from concept to manufacturing, or do you want specialised partners who focus on only one area of expertise such as innovative product design, concept design, mechanical engineering and so on.

– What is your timeline? Product design and development can be a lengthy process, depending on the complexity of your product. Setting realistic deadlines upfront will help keep everyone honest and avoid costly delays down the road.

– What are your goals? Every business has different objectives when it comes to new product launches – increased market share, higher margins, entering a new sector of the market etc. Defining these goals early on in the process will help you find designers with the same vision for success.

– Who is going to be involved in the project? Determining who will be making decisions about the product – from top management to end-users – is critical to setting up smooth communication channels with your design team. This will also help ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to what the product should be.

– What is your product’s unique selling proposition? (USP) Every product needs to have a clear reason for being in order to stand out from the competition. What makes your product different and why should consumers buy it instead of something else on the shelf? Understanding this early on will help guide design decisions and keep your team focused on what’s important.

– Do you have an existing Visual Brand Language? If you already have an established brand, it’s important to make sure that any new products follow those guidelines closely. Product designers can help create cohesive designs that stay true to your company’s image while still standing out from the competition.

– What are the product’s technical constraints? Product design is not just about aesthetics – it must also take into account how a product will be manufactured and what materials will be used. Understanding these limitations up front will help avoid costly changes downstream.

– How does your product fit into the larger market? It’s important to have a good understanding of who your target consumers are and what types of products they’re already using. This information can help designers create something that feels familiar to them while still being unique in a crowded market.

– What is your budget for manufacture? It’s important to have a realistic budget in mind before starting any new project, and this applies equally to product design. Estimating how much it will cost to make your product is a complicated task, but designers can assist based on the proposed manufacturing process, production quantities and materials, taking into account your end requirements.

– What are your product requirements? Product designers can help ensure that all of the materials and components used in your product meet any regulatory or safety standards for manufacturing at scale. They’ll also provide recommendations on how best to design around these constraints so as not to compromise functionality or aesthetics during manufacture.

When looking for a industrial design consultancy, it’s important to find one that has experience in designing products that meet your specific needs, one that you can communicate well with and one who shares the same vision, motivations and expectations. Here are some things to look for:

– Do they have a portfolio of similar projects? A good way to gauge whether or not a design agency is right for you is by looking at their past work. If they’ve worked on products in your industry or that share similarities with your own, there’s a good chance they understand the challenges and constraints you’ll face during development.

– Do they have any in-house prototyping capabilities? Having access to in-house prototyping tools can save time and money during the Product Development cycle. It also shows that the agency is serious about helping its clients bring their products to market. There’s more information about our in-house prototyping services here.

– Do they have any in-house prototyping capabilities? Having access to in-house prototyping tools can save time and money during the Product Development cycle. It also shows that the agency is serious about helping its clients bring their products to market. There’s more information about our in-house prototyping services here.

– Process and Methodologies: How do they go about designing new products? What steps do they take from beginning to end, and how does your team fit into this process? Will they be working with you every step of the way or will you be mostly hands-off once the project gets underway? Product design agencies should be able to explain their process in detail and provide examples of past work so you know what to expect when working with them. You can read about our design process by following this link.

– Do they have any industry partnerships or relationships that could benefit your product launch? Product design agencies may also be able to offer access to strategic partners who can help manufacture, distribute or sell the final product after it’s been designed – Connecting you with their source of reliable suppliers will aid in a smooth progress to market.

Hiring a product design consultancy for your project can be a great way to take your business to the next level. By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be one step closer to bringing a successful product to market.

Bluefrog Design are an award winning Product Design Consultancy with over 30 years of experience.  We help brands and businesses solve problems to gain a competitive advantage in the physical world. Enabling organisations to grow and launch new products that are always Better by Design. To learn about our product design services please call on +44 0116 2530612 or email at [email protected].

Learn more about our team: https://bluefrogdesign.co.uk/about/

Learn more about our services: https://bluefrogdesign.co.uk/product-design-services/