Inspiration has struck! You’ve come up with a concept so innovative it’s sure to disrupt the market. But how do you convert that concept into a tangible product customers can use?
“I have an idea but I don’t know what to do next,” you think to yourself.
This quick-read article will give you more than just an idea of product creation—it will light the path from start to finish, whether the product is physical, digital, or a combination of the two.
The Stages of Product Design
With over 40+ years of combined experience, the designers, engineers, and developers at Brash have honed a tried-and-true process for creating and launching products.
We follow three main stages of product design:
Discover. We explore, research, and conceptualize your product.
Create & iterate. We design, prototype, and test your product.
Launch. We launch and market your product.
Across these stages are seven steps, which we walk through briefly below. Other design and engineering firms may do things a bit differently, but we’ve found this process produces consistent, groundbreaking results.
(Be sure to bookmark this article to reference when you’re ready to start development.)
7 Steps in New Product Development
1. Product Research
Discuss product idea and business objectives
Discover the opportunity in the market and explore the problem you’re trying to solve
Establish product requirements
Develop shared vision for how the product should look and feel and what it should cost
Conduct preliminary research on user needs, patents, emerging technologies, and competitors
Formulate scope of work, timeline, and project costs
2. Concept Development
Create product concepts through brainstorming, sketching, crude modeling, flow charting, and wireframing
Devise brand identity and marketing strategy
Filter product concepts to narrow scope and move in a confident direction
3. Preliminary Design
Develop initial mechanical and electrical CAD and user interface designs
Evaluate shape, proportions, color, materials, finishes, and product branding
Generate 3D models or simulations that can be tested in real-world conditions
Develop testing plan to ensure that all design criteria are addressed
4. Prototyping & Testing
Finalize designs, source components, and develop any required software
Generate at least three prototype iterations, including proof-of-concept prototype, alpha prototype, and beta prototype
Conduct multiple rounds of testing, product changes, and design iterations based on discovered bugs and customer feedback
Support client’s navigation of industry and patent requirements
Produce fully functional prototype with associated documentation (product specifications, drawings, bill of materials, instructions for use, etc.)
5. Final Design & Handover
Prepare final designs, documentation, and procedures for manufacturing and launch
Evaluate manufacturers and obtain quotes
Initiate software repository handover and implement automation flows for software release
Coordinate tooling development, part sourcing, assembly, packaging development, and logistics
6. Manufacturing
Review manufacturing samples, making any necessary modification
Supervise product’s pilot production run, recommending any relevant design or process iterations
Oversee mass production with client’s final approval
7. Post-Market
Provide sustaining engineering, corrective and preventive actions that may include software updates, fixing technical bugs, and other product maintenance
Offer ongoing branding and marketing support
“How do I get my product to the masses?” Be Brash!
Brash is a design and engineering firm that’s helped numerous clients bring their innovative ideas to life. Charging docks, wearable devices, housewares, dental tools, mobile apps—we’ve designed, modeled, prototyped, and launched a wide range of products for innovative companies and entrepreneurs.
Check out our creative work or get in touch today to talk about your product idea.
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