product design: innovating for the future
In today’s world, product design plays a crucial role in creating innovative products that stand out in the market. Let us provide a few valuable insights into the world of product design.
what is product design
Product design is the process of creating new products that solve problems, improve functionality, and enhance the user experience. It involves a combination of creativity, technical knowledge, and understanding of user needs. The goal of product design is to create products that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical and user-friendly.
User-Centered Design: Focus on the needs and preferences of the end user. Conduct user research to understand their problems and create solutions that address them.
Functionality: Ensure the product performs its intended function effectively. A well-designed product should be reliable and easy to use.
Aesthetics: Create visually appealing products. Good design combines form and function, making products attractive and enjoyable to use.
Sustainability: Consider the environmental impact of the product. Use sustainable materials and processes to minimize the ecological footprint.
Innovation: Embrace new technologies and ideas. Innovative design can differentiate products in a competitive market.
design process in short
Strategy and research: understand the market, competitors, and user needs. Brainstorm ideas and identify opportunities for new products.
Concept Development: create sketches and prototypes to visualize ideas. Evaluate different concepts and select the best one.
Engineering and Development: refine the chosen concept through detailed design work. Develop 3D models and technical drawings.
Testing and Validation: test prototypes to ensure they meet design specifications and user requirements. Gather feedback and make necessary improvements.
Production and Launch: Finalize the design and prepare for manufacturing. Launch the product and monitor its performance in the market.
strategy and research
We start off with research into the use of the product, observations of users, operating conditions, technological limits, innovation opportunities, company identity and many other factors that are important for a successful design project.
The research leads to a strategy document with a clear innovation focus, potential risks and visual identity of the new product and serves as a strategic guide throughout the total project.
kinematics and geometry
During the design of new full suspension mountain bikes, wheelchairs or mobility scooters we use simulation software to develop solutions for folding, kinematics and geometry.
We do not only simulate, but also ride many products and test with mules. Making small iterations helps us to design a geometry and kinematics that fits the product we are developing.
concept design
Through rapid cycles of sketching our senior designers investigate many potential rough product design idea’s and test this with early mockups.
We identify and choose the best design direction from all the possible ideas and make choices based on testing, experience and strategy.
During the concept design phase, we have a ‘look-in-the-kitchen’ session with your team. We present directions in sketch-form, functional and technical solutions, manufacturability solutions and mockups.
Together with your team we discuss focus, risk, level of ambition and push the design direction further into a concept that we will develop further.
engineering
The first important milestone during the product development is to bring the concept product to a first fully functional prototype. This first prototype we call the P1.
To do so, we use powerful 3D CAD software to develop the product. In parallel we select materials, production methods, treatments, possible coatings and colors.
To achieve maximum performance at minimum weight we use 3D CAD simulations and tests with prototypes.
In addition to a set of 3D CAD files, we make a bill of materials and a first brief 2D package of drawings during the transition to production of the first P1 prototype.
prototyping
Both during the concept and engineering phases we build prototypes. Early prototypes are mostly more like mockups, which we normally 3D print. We use them mainly for testing shapes, ergonomics and engineering solutions.
At the end of the engineering stage we build the first P1 full functional prototype. These prototypes are high quality, often CNC milled, coated, with graphics and fully functional.
The P1 prototype will be tested, both on functional, ergonomic and performance aspects. We document all the learnings and develop improvements in stability, cost, weight and performance. Mostly this leads to an updated prototype P2.
After one or sometimes more cycles of improvements the product is ready for manufacturing on a larger scale.
about us
We are product designers. Our team is based in Amsterdam and specialized in bicycles, e-bikes, mobility, sports and medical products.
Our products were tested, manufactured, won races, won awards and are used worldwide.
We can support your team from an early idea, through research, strategy, ergonomics, kinematics, component testing, concept design, full detailed engineering, prototyping till production.
We invest in our people and will not hire specific people for a project. Because we want to keep valuable knowledge inside of our own team.
Apart from that we fully finance ourselves. We are not part of a group, we have no bank loans and no investors. All with one reason: to be a stable, independent industrial design partner for you.
This makes that both start-ups as well as multinationals love to work with us.
Get the designguide. It helps you understand what is needed to make your product a reality. Sign up and we will send it by email.