Product Design and Development Process
Product design and development starts with a problem identified, brainstorming ideas, rough designs, prototyping, analyzing, final designs, to creating the product.
Development Concept:
Once the problem and the solutions are narrowed down, the final solution is thought through in detail. This includes working out part standards and meeting customer needs.
Rough designs and prototypes are made that the actual product will be based on.
This stage can be broken down into 4 steps:
• Brainstorming – Different ideas and solutions. Do not judge any idea at this time. Be as creative as possible.
• Select the best ideas – Narrow down the brainstormed ideas which can give the best results. Start planning to create the product.
• Design concept – rough designs can now be created and prototyped.
• Evaluation – In the final step, prototypes are tested and any modification should be made. If the prototype does work properly, further brainstorming is needed.
Product Design Steps
In the brief steps previously mentioned, the following step by step guide can lead you to successful product design. These steps include:
Design Kickoff Meeting The kickoff meeting brings all the key players together to set proper expectations for both the team and stakeholders. A statement of purpose, briefly states the problems to be solved. This serves as a starting point from where the design can start.
Product Design Specification (PDS)
This document details the critical parameters, specifications and requirements for the product you are designing. The document lays the groundwork for all engineering design activities and ensures that all relevant factors are accounted for and all participants are heard from. A typical PDS includes the following information:
A. Product design & performance issues...
B. Market issues...
C. Capability issues…
Product Design Issues
Design issues to consider are:
• Price • Materials
• Customer Requirements
• Functions
• Company Identity
• Aesthetics
• Ergonomics
• Fashion
• Culture
• Environment
Rough Design
With the PDS document as a guide, the designer will now begin to outline a solution. At this step, the design is theoretical, with a framework of key components. These may include manufacturing, sales, and production costs among other things. This understanding helps to eliminate or reduce rework and multiple modifications.
In this step, idea generation and evaluation are both vital. Come up with multiple ideas, each fulfilling the product requirements previously identified. Evaluate all ideas to decide the best concept.
Concept Design
At this step, the rough designs are evaluated and brainstormed. It is encouraged that all ideas be voiced to increase innovation.
Concept Design Evaluation
With several design concepts at hand, a design needs to be chosen that fulfills the product design specifications. The concept that is closest to solve the problems and satisfies most of the design requirements will now be developed in detail.
Detailed Design and Prototype
At this step, the concept is now designed in detail with the required dimensions and specifications. It may be important to produce prototypes to test the product. The designer needs to work closely with manufacturing and logistics to ensure manufacturability and supply.
Reducing Design Modifications
Reduced design modifications by asking the following questions:
• Manufacturing – Can we make the product?
• Sales – Do customers want this product? Can you sell it?
• Purchasing – Do we have parts available or do they need to be ordered?
• Cost – What will this design cost?
• Transport – Is the product transportable? Are there be any special requirements?
• Disposal – How will the product be disposed of at the end of its life?
Product Design Categories
There are two basic categories that most product designs fall under.
They are:
Demand Demand – Customers asking for improvements or new products for existing issues. The demand product design takes advantage of opportunities in the market.
Invention Invention - This occurs when there is an advancement in technology or intelligence. It is driven through research or new product design ideas.
Product Design Considerations
Examples of considerations during product design are:
• Financial Viability
• Maintenance
• Functionality
• Price, Appearance, and Status Value
