Product Development Process

Research: Research is essential to transforming an invention into a product. The knowledge and input you bring to us about your idea is vital. We build on your depth and breadth of understanding, using it as a foundation for the initial stages of the product development process. Through focus groups and brainstorming, our industrial designers will round out this base of knowledge, gathering as much information as they can about similar products, the market they serve, and the inspiration behind them. All of this research provides our industrial designers with insight into the product and the needs of the consumer.

Concept Development: Fresh thinking is essential at this stage of the product development process. Backed up by our research, preliminary design concepts and sketches are developed. Our team ensures that all industrial design concepts can be translated into feasible solutions. Concepts are created through brainstorming, sketches, and basic CAD modeling.

Ergonomics & Aesthetic Styling: During the ergonomics process, industrial designers study how people interact with your design to make sure the product adjusts to the user and not the other way around. During this stage, safety features, efficiency, and comfort are improved. Aesthetics are all about the way your product looks. Aesthetics and styling are largely responsible for how effectively a new product design captures the market. During this part of the product development process, industrial designers optimize a product’s appearance through sketching, 3D modeling, prototyping, and computer surface modeling, continually refining the product’s aesthetics to appeal to the target market without sacrificing its function.

Computer Aided Design and Engineering: Industrial design and engineering teams are involved to ensure your concepts are achievable, in both their function and manufacture. Our industrial designers use software like Catia and Solid Works to create highly accurate models and assembly parts for a product. They can perform a vast range of tests on these virtual models, including stress analysis and material suitability tests, which, coupled with their experience, allow them to make informed decisions about how to push the product design forward.

Prototyping & Manufacturing: This step of the product development process is where things get real! Industrial designers create prototypes and mock-ups of product components, allowing our team, you, and target market consumers the opportunity to hold, touch, and interact with your concept design.

Packaging and Graphics: During the design development process, our team of industrial and graphic designers will also make sure the packaging of your idea is the right size and material. They will ensure the invention that was once just a figment of your imagination becomes a real, tangible product.

These are the basic steps of the product development process in a nutshell. Depending on your idea, its size, materials, and overall concept, you may not require every step, but this is the general path you will follow. If you need help our firm Spark Innovations can assist you at every step. In some cases you may be ahead of the game and already have a patent filed or your concept narrowed down. No matter where you are in the process, we can help!