In the last article, we discussed why it is important to create a prototype for your product idea before moving into mass production. In this article, we are going to further explore how to efficiently and effectively build the various stages of your prototype.
We call this the Product Design process.
Approaching product design in a thoughtful and thorough way will:
- Reduce the amount of prototypes that are required
- Improve product reliability and longevity
- Lower product failure rates
- Maximize product utility and visual appeal
In a nutshell, the product design process focuses on viewing your product from different angles, in different forms. As you’ll see below, by gradually moving from the 2D plane to the 3D plane you will see various perspectives of the product concept that will allow you to verify its integrity, validate its usability, and ensure its quality.
Concept Sketches
Remember that one time you were at a bar with friends and thought of the next ‘BIG’ idea? I’m going to guess the first thing you did was quickly reach for a napkin closeby, rummage around the bottom of your bag for a pen, and started furiously sketching out the idea.
Not only was that a step in commitment for the idea, but also helped you gain further perspective and clarity on it. That’s very much what concept sketches are all about. They release the overflow of creative thought and pull it together in a way which it can be rationally observed and evaluated. You may find yourself writing, scratching out, drawing, crumpling up and starting over numerous times – and that’s what makes this phase of the process so special. It’s extremely low risk, low investment, and is a chance for you to witness the idea in a structured, tangible way.
It’s important to remember that this step is not about defining what the product ‘is’ but rather exploring what it ‘can’ be. When you have different product idea variations, it opens up the opportunity to be inspired and enhance on the initial idea’s look, feel and utility.
Virtual Design
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of product concepts to the ‘Most Lovable Product’ idea you believe will work, it’s time to take those lines on paper and turn them into specs on the computer.
Virtual designs compose of taking your concept sketch and using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to translate it into a technically sound 3D digital prototype that is to scale.
You will want to ensure that you include all technical specifications that are necessary to easily translate the virtual design into physical prototype. If you need assitance with this part of the process, partner with us. We have team of engineers and designers who are ready to help and provide the peace of mind that what you see on the computer will be what you see in real life.
Physical Prototype
When your CAD design is ready, it’s time to bring the whole thing to life!
The physical prototyping phase can make or break the success of your product. You are creating a working version of your product that all stakeholders can interact with – in the ‘real world’. The key to success comes down to getting to the final product as fast as possible without compromising quality or functionality. This means having strong design and manufacturing partners that can effectively communicate with you and provide quick turnarounds on the various prototype iterations.
While the manufacturing world may seem daunting at first, the good news is that Dena Technologies can help you navigtate through the virtual and physical prototypes with ease. We are a certified PCB assembler and are also positioned to help you successfully move through the final mass production stage. On top of that, being located on the west coast of Canada drastically reduces shipping times and costs, meaning you can work through product changes quickly and without delay.
So there you have it – easy as 1, 2, 3!
Hopefully this article gives you more clarity on how to move forward with your product concept, and we hope you’ll reach out to us when the time is right. Stay tuned for our next article, where we’ll discuss some of the new and exciting innovations in virtual prototyping!