Getting a Product Designed

Right you’ve got that spark of an idea that keeps you up at night, scribbled on a scrap of an unopened bank statement (because let’s face it who has ‘fag packets’ laying around these days!).  So, how do you actually turn that informal idea into… a product/business/side-hustle…? We get it, it’s the question we hear all the time, and frankly, it’s one of the most exciting questions you can ask.

Why? The Heartbeat of Your Idea.

Let’s rewind a bit. Before we dive into sketches and prototypes, we need to talk about your “why.” Why are you pursuing this idea?  Its time to have a hard look at the idea and what you want it to do for you.  Is it could a passion project? A lifestyle shift? A straight-up profit generating opportunity? Or maybe, you have dreams of licensing it to a major brand.

Think of it like this: your “why” is the compass guiding your entire design journey. It’s the difference between a fleeting whim and a full-blown success.

The Business of Making It Real.

Funding: This part can sometimes be overlooked in the excitement of starting out on a new product journey.  But is critical to get a handle on what your product supposed to do for you? And, importantly, how are you going to fund this the development? Are you thinking about bootstrapping it from savings, using venture capital, remortgaging your house, looking to secure innovation funding, or reinvesting profit from your current business?  There are many ways to fund your idea, it’s just good to have a clear idea of where your funds are coming from.

Other aspects of business to consider:

• What’s the product made from? Soft goods, hard goods, electronics, or a glorious mishmash? Many products blend hard and soft goods and increasingly electronics are getting embedded too.
• What’s the market looking like? Who’s your competition? What’s your killer USP? Who are your customers and what are they doing at the moment that fulfil their needs.
• How many units are we talking? A small batch for a niche crowd or mass-market high volume production?  Knowing this make a big different to how a product can be designed and engineered.

These questions aren’t just details; they’re the really important in influencing your design strategy.  All of this research goes into influencing the Product Design Specification (PDS). The PDS is a key step to bring together all of your research and list it in order of importance.  A good PDS will be referenced through the design process to help make decisions.

The Design Process: From beautiful concept sketches to production Reality.

Okay, now for the fun part. The concept stage. This is where your “why,” your market research, and your specifications collide in a beautiful, messy explosion of creativity.

• Sketch it out. Don’t worry about being DaVinci. Just get those ideas flowing. Explore, experiment, and solve that “problem” you’re tackling. (Remember, even Virgin Atlantic started with a problem: “I need to get home.”)
• Concept selection and refinement. Not every idea is a winner. But every idea has potential. Blend, tweak, and refine until you’ve got something that looks like it could work.
• Dive into detailed design. This is where the magic happens. 2D and 3D CAD work, visual representations – it’s all about making your idea tangible, be carful to keep a keen eye on how you are going to make the product, this need to be considered throughout.
• Prototype time! “Looks like” or “works like”? We usually start with the latter. It’s about testing, learning, and breaking a few things along the way. Embrace the chaos.
• Refine, re-prototype, repeat. This isn’t a one-and-done deal. It’s an iterative process, a dance between design and reality.  Try to be accepting of learning
• Engineering and manufacturing. Now, we’re talking about making it real, efficiently and cost-effectively. It’s a delicate balance.  Finding the right partners at this stage is critical as they will be a core part of your business moving forward.
• Pre-production sampling. Your last chance to tweak and to perfect your idea.  Typically this is done on the actual production line using all the correct materials.  It your last chance to check your product is right before committing to ordering

The Green Thread: Design with a Conscience.

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: environmental impact. 80% of a product’s environmental footprint is locked in during the design phase. That’s a huge responsibility. Design for sustainability, for longevity, for a second life. It’s not just a trend; it’s a necessity!

Beyond the Button: The Real Journey Begins.

So, you’re ready to hit “manufacture.” Awesome! But a few last things to be aware of and make sure you have considered, packaging, regulations, supply chain, distribution, marketing, and sales process – They all need looking at as your form the business around your product.

This is where the real adventure begins. Seek mentors, ask for help, and build a network.

Why Work with Mouse?

At Mouse Design, we’re not just about making products; we’re about making successful products. We’re about partnering with you, guiding you, and celebrating your wins. Because, at the end of the day, we’re in it for the love of the process.  We have designed and been involved with 100’s of product launches and between Ben and Rich the Directors at Mouse they share 40+ years doing this successfully.

So, if you’re ready to turn your idea into something extraordinary, talk to us.