Meeting with a product development firm is an exciting time for entrepreneurs—it’s equally exciting for us too. The chance to sit down with professional designers to talk about your product idea somehow makes it feel just a little more real. On our side, meeting with excited entrepreneurs is one of the highlights of our day—discussing design possibilities, goals and what the future could be is why we are passionate about our job.
We do understand that meeting with a product development professional can also be stressful if you don’t know what to expect or what you need to bring. This post is a guide to ease your concerns and help you prepare for your first product development meeting.
What do I bring to our product development meeting?
You scheduled your initial meeting and now it is time to prepare. First, compile and gather all of the information you have written, sketched or developed about your product idea. Whether you have post-it notes, napkin sketches, a prototype made out of household items or your own CAD file, we are going to want to see them.
Next, take a moment to write down your product requirements. For example:
- What is the exact function of your product?
- How does it need to work?
- What is your product expected to accomplish?
Finally, think about your budget. Whether you have an exact budget in mind or a budget estimate, it’s always good to know what you are comfortable investing in your product. On our side, knowing and understanding your budget will let us tailor services to fit your needs.
All of this above information will provide valuable insight into your product idea and how best we can assist you on turning your product idea into reality.
What will we discuss?
First and foremost, we want to get to know you and we bet that you want to get to know us too. During the initial meeting we are going to discuss your product idea in detail and talk about design requirements, functionality and overall design aesthetics.
We will also discuss your plan for intellectual property protection. You do not need to have this piece figured out just yet, we can help guide you throughout the entire IP process. This meeting is also a chance to briefly talk about the product development timeline and share manufacturing options with you. Also, we know you have questions, so bring those too because we are happy to answer them.
This initial meeting will be full of information for both of us and will set the foundation for the entire product development process—from initial design to commercialization.
Have questions about developing a product idea? Send us an email at info@3d-innovations.com
Additional Product Development Resources
- Product Development Basics for Hardware Entrepreneurs
- Four Must-Haves When Searching for a Product Development Firm
- When is the Best Time to Consult a Product Development Firm?
- FAQ: The Basics of Product Development
- How to Prepare for Your First Patent Attorney Meeting
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3D Innovations is a Product Development Company – from the 3D Design to a fully functional 3D Prototype & Product.