Expert Design Consulting for Product Development and Strategy

Process Methodology

Covering all steps from Ideation to Production

1 | Research & Ideation

The first step in developing a new product, which starts with clearly understanding the market and its top selling products. Find opportunities in the market to positively differentiate your future product, and develop amazing concepts to bring that to life. Amazing new product concepts are developed, targeting a specific market opportunity. As an outcome in this step is included: 
- Market Research | Data driven approach to clearly understand your competition and identify a opportunity to positively differentiate a new product in the market. 
- Clear Opportunity | Positively differentiate your product in the market against key competitor products, through features and placement. 
- User Insights | Detailed analysis of consumer feedback of competitor products in the market, used to define clear areas of improvement for your product.  
- Amazing Product Concepts | A skilled designer will develop product concepts that bring your new product alive in a collaborative process.

2 | Conceptualization

There are often many ways to solve a problem, this milestone of your project will finalize the best available option to design into your final concept. Take all the available options you have of designing your product, and finalize them into clear specifications and design intent. Taking all the best ideas and combining into one design. As an outcome in this step is included: 
- Manufacturing Direction | Early feedback from our supply chain team, with enable the designer to make informed decisions around how your product will be manufactured and its feasibility.
- Product Features | The key functions and features of your product are detailed, in particular any unique new features that differentiate it in the market. 
- Technical Specification | The key features of your product area clearly documented in a technical specification, to ensure factories can provide accurate feedback through the development process. 
- User Experience | How users interact with and use your product is detailed out, making sure your new product and the users experience is fully understood.

3 | Design & Engineering

Designers work with local or international factories to develop all the technical aspects of the product around clear guidelines of manufacture and feasibility. Product is developed in 3D with all the necessary engineering applied to ensure its form and function are perfectly defined. This is the stage to build and test prototypes.
As an outcome in this step is included:
- Detailed CAD Design | The product is developed in CAD (Computer Assisted Design) into all its parts, defining how the assembled and interact with one another.
- Bill of Materials | The product is defined at a part level, with each part attributed its specification and associated costs.
- Engineering Development | Depending on product's complexity level, its functionality is defined and developed by an engineering team
- Prototype & Testing | How users interact with and use your product is detailed out, making sure the new product and its user's experience is fully understood.

4 | Design Information package

Finalizing all the development work, a collaboration between network designers & factories will deliver a pack of renderings, technical drawings and specifications that allows the product to be manufactured anywhere around the world.
As an outcome in this step is included:
- Final 3D CAD drawings of all Parts | Each of the product parts are finalized technically in the relevant file type that is required (Soft Goods, Hard Good, Electro Mechanical).
- Manufacturing Specifications | Your product is defined at a part level, with each part attributed its specification and associated costs.
- Technical Drawings | All relevant drawings with details and specifications that will enable a factory to accurately quote and manufacture the product.
- Colors, Materials and Finishes & Testing | The product is developed into a functional prototype that can be tested not only by focus groups but also by certified laboratories when needed.

5 | Factory Discovery

Global search for the ideal factory that meets all the needs of your business and product. Our qualified team searches the globe to find the perfect factory match for producing your products, followed by providing support during price negotiations to ensure you get the best possible deal. As an outcome in this step is included: 
- Regional Feasibility | For clients who are unsure of the region they would like to source products from, our team can provide a feasibility report to guide you to the best choice. 
- Quote Summary & Comparison | Pricing from each factory is presented and compared, to help guide you deciding on your final choice of manufacturer. 
- Factory Overviews | Factories within our network have been vetted and we can provide an introductory deck to show their certification and capability. We can also vet new factories for you. 
- Regional Support | We have staff in each of our regions, who support your best interests through pricing negotiations and communication with factories

6 | Sampling and Tooling

Process of perfecting the product with the selected suppliers, making sure quality and compliance are met. Physical samples are received to review in person.
Receiving, validating, and reviewing samples until satisfied that the quality and specifications are achieved. Following this, tooling specifications are thoroughly reviewed and officially approved. As an outcome in this step is included:
- Factory Selection | It’s necessary for you to have chosen the supplier base, our team will make sure your supplier has met all of your requirements.
- Golden Sample | We include two rounds of sampling with the factory as standard in our process, the key outcome being a Golden sample which meets all your specifications.
- Cost of Tooling | The cost of any tooling that is required for the product is passed directly to you, our team helps negotiate pricing and terms.
- Quality Inspections | Our regional staff are available to visit factory’s in person and provide detailed inspections to make sure sampling meets all specifications.

7 | Production

Place your first purchase order and let our team help you make this an amazing experience for you. We will help you arrange logistics for your order.
Begins with the manufacturing of parts, followed by rigorous quality control checks. These parts are then brought to the assembly line, where they are assembled, packaged, and readied for shipping. As an outcome in this step is included:
- Place first Purchase Order | We will support you with all the details in placing your purchase order confidently, we provide full transparency to you in all transactions.
- Regional Support | We have our staff in each region who can support in communications and negotiations with your new or existing supplier.
- Quality Checks | Making sure your order meets all the required specifications is crucial, our staff are on hand to make sure that happens.
- Logistics Partners | We have great partners who we support you in arranging all your logistics, getting your purchase order where it needs to be in the world.

8 | Production cycle Management

Entrust regional experts with overseeing every aspect of repeat production cycles, implementing strict quality control for seamless execution.
Receiving, validating, and reviewing samples until satisfied that the quality and specifications are achieved. Following this, tooling specifications are thoroughly reviewed and officially approved. As an outcome in this step is included:
- Multiple SKUs | Our team can help you manage multiple SKUs from suppliers, pricing varies on the number of SKUs being managed.
- Quality Checks & Process Improvements | We work to ensure your purchase order meets all product specifications and continually work with the manufacturer to improve process and efficiency.
- Regional Support in Communications | Our regional staff will represent your interests with the factory and support in communication and management of your account.
- Purchase Order Management | We manage your purchase orders providing you peace of mind to focus on building your business and support you locally in the region of your choice.