There is a difference between product design and successful product design… Let’s take a moment to explore the stages of product design a little further.
Purpose: Product design aids the capability to create a product consistent with the business products. The initial phase of the product design requires a thorough overview of
the business requirements, specifically the design requirements. The visual components of the product motivate product design. Product design combines the needs of the client with the best route to design the product.
Prototyping: Product managers or designers utilize prototyping when designing a new product or product component. Designers usually create prototypes, but this responsibility may also fall on the product manager or a developer. Different software tools and technology (such as 3D printing) make prototyping simpler and less time consuming.
Business Requirements: The business requirements documentation serves as a guideline during the product design phase. These requirements provide a clear picture of how the product components should function independently and together within the product. The business requirements include detailed guidelines about the features, which help the designers create the correct prototype of the functionality.
Design Specifications: Design specifications, created alongside the business requirements, provide designers with additional details about the layout of the product. These specifications only focus on design components and can provide instructions to both the designer and the product manager. The design specifications contain information regarding the product’s architecture and modular descriptions. Often, design decisions made after initial prototype review reside within the design specifications documentation as updates and revised design requirements.
Development and Testing: Once designers complete the design phase, developers begin the development of the product. The design specifications and prototypes of modules and product components provide a guideline for the development team. These same specifications and prototypes help quality assurance during the testing process by providing a visual representation of the product. Testers can also utilize the design architecture information during their testing processes.
Entrepreneur Magazine shares some wonderful insight regarding successful product design in the article: The Secret to Successful Product Design? Simplicity. Our favorite bit of information from them is “Make your product intuitive“. Keep the message of your product and packaging clear! Though this sounds simple enough, it can be quite the challenge. So when you are developing a product, always remember to step out of the design bubble and analyze your product through the eyes of your potential consumer.
If you have any product design questions, please feel free to contact us at: info@3d-innovations.com
Research:
- Finding the Core of Great Product Design Source: Yahoo! Small Business
- Roles in product design Source: BBC
- Information on Product Design Source: Small Business Chronical
- The Secret to Successful Product Design? Simplicity. Source: Entrepreneur.com
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3D Innovations is a full service 3D Engineering/Design company – from the 3D Design to a fully functional 3D Prototype & Product.